Sanity and the Lady

Introduction by Ian R. MacLeod. Cover art by John William Godward.

"They're the reason why xenophobia was invented."

So says Uncle Toby, renegade member of the Laurence family. The comfortable Laurence family lead a fairly traditional life. They have a manservant to look after them. The sea is nearby, as is the psychotherapist. Edgar Laurence is a well-known pianist. His grand-daughter, Laura Broughton, is a famous novelist.

Of course, the family has its problems. There's an unmarried mother with a small child. There are mobs at the gates, divorces, illicit love affairs and a suicide – or is that two suicides?

But life goes on. Until the night when a meteorite burns out in earth's atmosphere. It releases a number of microscopic beings. Well, if not beings, at least functions. They are a mystery, a challenge to human imagination. However, if you have one entering your brain, you may be able to communicate with it, perhaps to your advantage. Here is what humans have long wanted, a chance to study alien life. They do not like it when they get it. Laura Broughton defends the visitors while the world becomes more and more alarmed. That's what gets her into trouble.

And finally, the visitors astonish us all.

Once more, Brian Aldiss delivers a gripping story, thronged with characters and love's complexities, salted with philosophical undertones, both comical and chilling. As with his recent novels, Super-State and Affairs at Hampden Ferrers, the international aspect of this very English novel shows through.