The Big Black Mark (1975) is a science fiction novel by Australian writer A. Bertram Chandler. It forms part of the author's Rim World series, featuring the recurring character, John Grimes.
 | |
| Author | A. Bertram Chandler |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Rim Worlds |
| Genre | Science fiction |
| Publisher | Daw Books |
Publication date | 1975 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 224 pp. |
Synopsis edit
Captain John Grimes is placed in command of the Census spaceship Discovery. This is crewed by a company of malcontents who have been placed together on this vessel in an attempt to keep them out of trouble. Unfortunately, hope is dashed when they mutiny against Grimes's command and cast him adrift in space.
Dedication edit
- "To William Bligh."
Critical reception edit
Spider Robinson, reviewing the novel on its original release in Galaxy magazine noted: "Black Mark borrows just a bit too heavily from both Nordhoff & Hall and Herman Wouk, if you get my galactic drift. True-blue Grimes fans should be satisfied, but I found it pat in spots, contrived in others, and a little too reminiscent of some of the worst Star Trek episodes."[2]
Publication history edit
After its original publication in 1975 in the US by publishers Daw Books[3] the novel was later published as follows:
- Daw Books reprint 1978, 1982[1]
- Baen Books, USA, 2007 (ebook)[4]
- Orion Books, UK, 2015 (ebook)[5]
The novel was also included in the following compilations of Chandler's work:
It was translated into German in 1984.[8]
Awards edit
- The novel won the Australian Sf Achievement Award for Best Novel in 1976.[9]
See also edit
Notes edit
- Chandler wrote about why he felt the book had to be written in an article published in Philosophical Gas 27 (March 1974), edited by John Bangsund.[10]
References edit
- ^ a b "Austlit — The Big Black Mark by A. Bertram Chandler (Daw Books) 1975". Austlit. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ Galaxy, August 1975, p151
- ^ "The Big Black Mark (Daw Books)". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ ""The Big Black Mark" (Baen)". ISFDB. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ ""The Big Black Mark" (Orion)". ISFDB. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ ""John Grimes: Survey Captain" (SF Book Club)". ISFDB. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ ""First Command" (Baen Books)". ISFDB. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ ""Grimes und die Liebesdroge"". ISFDB. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ Collins, Paul; McMullen, Sean; Paulsen, Steven (1998). "Awards". In Collins, Paul; Paulsen, Steven; McMullen, Sean (eds.). The MUP Encyclopaedia of Australian Science Fiction & Fantasy. Carlton South, Victoria: Melbourne University Press. pp. 3–5. ISBN 0-522-84771-4.
- ^ ""Running Off the Rim"". Philosophical Gas 27, March 1974. Retrieved 27 September 2023.