The Changeling by AE Van Vogt (book review)
Another Van Vogt book where the back cover copy is not compatible with the story contents. ‘The Changeling’ was written in 1943 and 1944 combined into one as ‘The Changeling’ in 1950. It’s also been reprinted several times based on the number of covers I’ve seen on-line. The book suddenly appears to stop on the last page and a little checking and it is actually 128 pages with slightly bigger print size than usual and easily read in one setting.
Lesley Craig draws the attention of President Jefferson Dayles back in 1971, looking for a compatible blood type. Bear in mind the book was written in the mid-1940s, 30 years later was a long time away. The picture builds up along the way as we discover Craig is just one of the names he’s has had as we discover that when he gets injured, his body will regenerate in a state called toti-potent, including his brain cells being wiped of his memory. In some respects, you have to wonder at his bad luck where he can lose a leg and later an arm and then forget all about it in regeneration. The solution for keeping his memories he is told on this occasion is to continually read and keep his mind active.
Van Vogt’s skill is write at a pace is seen here and a lesson in storytelling. The fact it can still be effective some 77 years later is a testament to that. Much of Van Vogt’s reputation is being able to write effective super-humans. In some respects, Craig is the ultimate amnesic, not aware of his previous past and others like himself. There are also elements of what James Gunn would use later in ‘The Immortal’, as a blood transfusion, this time willing, can endow normal humans a semblance of longer life.
GF Willmetts
July 2020
(pub: Manor Books Inc, 1950. 128 page paperback. Price: You can pull a copy for a couple pounds. ISBN: 0-552-12589-4)
