Devolution

by Edmond Hamilton

Amazing Science Fiction, December 1936

Genres: Short Stories, Science Fiction

14 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1936

About the author

Edmond Moore Hamilton was a popular author of science fiction stories and novels throughout the mid-twentieth century. Born in Youngstown, Ohio, he was raised there and in nearby New Castle, Pennsylvania. Something of a child prodigy, he graduated high school and started college (Westminster College, New Wilmington, Pennsylvania) at the age of 14--but washed out at 17. He was the Golden Age writer who worked on Batman, the Legion of Super-Heroes, and many sci-fi books.

Reviews

[Courtney Hatch]

*Read for my Advanced Studies in Science Fiction class*

Perfect combination of science fiction + horror with a tight narrative and scientific explanation tailored to the layman. This would be a good text for a high interest, in-class, close read.

[Adam]

*Read as part of "Masterpieces The Best Science Fiction of the Twentieth Century" by Orson Scott Card*

It’s not that I expect science fiction from 1936 to age well but geez, the major conceit here that humans are actually devolving is just hot trash. I’m not even mad at Edmund for writing this, I’m mad at Card for somehow thinking this deserves to be in any “best of” collection. (more of that later)

[Aiden McKinney]

An interesting, exciting story dealing with a form of the collective unconscious, and ending with a disturbing twist. However, why kill off such interesting characters so ealry on, especially when it creates an extremely short beginning?

[Víctor Gutiérrez]

Un cuentito condenadamente bueno, que da otra explicación de como pudo haber evolucionado la razón en la raza humana. una historia muy ingeniosa.

[Endangered]

It's hard to believe this was written in 1936, as it feels like something much more recent. Great short story! Crazy concept to imagine that kind of makes you wonder... Is it true?

[mark propp]

i don't think the idea of devolution holds up to scrutiny, but i'm not a smarty-pants like some of you people.

it's a fun read, though. slight but enjoyable & short.