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Ice and Fire [2]

The Immortals of Atlantis [5]

Inconstancy [4]

Review by Ian Braidwood

"Brian M. Stableford's Inconstancy is different again; a formal fantasy on man and his environment, it has qualities of restraint and control that are remarkable in such a comparatively new author."

This is how Keith Roberts described this story in the editorial of Impulse 12 and I find myself agreeing. I'm no great fan of Brian's early short fiction, but this has a brooding atmosphere and a fantastic lyricism about it, especially in the early paragraphs.

The story concerns a man and two women who mysteriously find themselves occupying an isolated cove, which is about to be inundated by the advancing sea.

Not a complete story, but a good evocation of tense foreboding.

The Incredible Whelk [1]

The Incubus of the Rose [7]

Inherit the Earth [26]

Review by Ian Braidwood

This follows the unfolding destiny (and you know how much trouble that can be) of Damon Hart, ex-prize fighter and VR engineer, once one of his step parents is kidnapped. Seperately, Hart and Interpol go on the hunt for the miscreants.

A useful reminder of the excellence that is Inherit the Earth, the novel. Like the novel, this grabs you by the collar and never lets go, but it's a bit like being shafted(apparently ;-), in that it's over before you know it.

The ending was completely re-written for the novel, so go on, treat yourself.

Innocent Blood [8]

The Innsmouth Heritage [8]

Review by Ian Braidwood

Although I've never read any of H.P. Lovecraft's stories, I had no trouble understanding this at all; partially because all you need to know is that some sort of monster or monsters appeared from the deep and partially because what actually happened isn't that important in the context of this story.

It follows a population geneticist called in to Innsmouth by an old college friend, who is also a native of the town. He of course, is interested in writing a scientific paper and helping to build his reputation, while the people with the Innsmouth 'look' mainly want shot of their dreams. As the studies continue, people start having accidents, out on the reef...

What's nice about this story is the way feelings are portayed. Those with the Innsmouth look have no faith that there will ever be an end to their dreaming and the slightly dirty feeling of the researcher, even though he warned them a cure was highly unlikely.

This story also successfully melds modern genetic theory with the mythic feel of the Cthulhu stories.

Inside Out [8]

Review by Ian Braidwood

Set in an alternative universe to ours and during The First World War; this story has Margaret catching glimpses of parallel universes where satyrs and other mythological creatures actually exist.

Given that Margaret is a patient in a sanatorium, she's understandably reluctant to discuss the true nature of her dreams and her psychoanalyst is convinced they are a symptom of her trauma.

This tale ends in spectacular fashion, but in a way which doesn't seems to address the central thrust of its argument; in fact, it's a bit of a dues ex machina.

In the Flesh [8]

The Invertebrate Man [10]

Review by Ian Braidwood

A tragic accident during his childhood leads Patrick O'Connell to study entomology and eventually to work with his idol: invertebrate man and genetic engineer John McBride.

Patrick joins McBride in his laboratory on the desolate west coast of Ireland and eventually discovers what the great man has been doing in the basement of their shared accommodation block.

Shocked, dismayed and afraid of people's reaction to McBride's secret work, Patrick agonises over what to do until the situation is taken out of his hands.

The climax this story is straight out of a Frankenstein movie, but as well as bringing Patrick to a successful confrontation with a personal problem; it also raises the question of whether McBride's research, though distasteful to the point of nightmarish is actually wrong. Is it really right to regard nature as sacred?

The Invisible Worm [11]

Review by Ian Braidwood

This story gives some insight into the domestic arrangements of the average emortal household.

If you recall, each child is brought up by a group of parents who bear no close genetic relation to the baby at all. Thus we find Richard literally left holding the baby when their house's domestic systems begin to go haywire.

Unsure of his ability to cope with the new infant and unable to dispose of a soiled shawl by the normal method; Richard takes the baby down into the cellar to use the house's main disposal unit. He then finds himself locked in with waste backing up the shute and threatening to drown the both of them in sewage...