James E. Gunn (1923–2020)

This novel is about what the word “happy” really means—and about freedom: “An unhappy man is a deadly focus of social disintegration” could almost be from George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four.
    The story begins in the small town of Millville when a new company appears on the scene who, for a (huge) price, guarantee your happiness. Joshua Hunt’s initial scepticism gradually falters and, long dissatisfied with his life, he signs up for their services. What he finds himself increasingly drawn into is something called “hedonics”; but what is it exactly—a new form of psychotherapy, a new science or religion even? At its heart is a rigorous programme of self-discipline, using a combination of medical advances (if these really are “advances”) and an array of techniques for self-imposed mind-control. And Hedonics Inc. are ambitious: this is a whole ideology; and their aim, ultimately, is to create a new and perfect society. “That action is best which produces the greatest happiness of the greatest numbers.” And, “As long as we have these techniques available, nothing—no one—can make us unhappy. Like gods, we hold our own happiness in our own hands.” Mm, well maybe; but this is already sounding like Orwell, and the “perfect society” a dystopia.
    A couple of extra things to say about this book. First, it’s divided into three parts, each set further into the future than the last, and was originally published (1954 and ̕55) as three novellas in various science-fiction magazines. Gunn claimed it wasn’t a classic “fix-up” though, that he wrote and sold them with this eventual single novel in mind.
    And second, if you read it yourself be prepared for some pretty cringe-inducing 1950s stuff, such as this (talking about the colonisation of Venus): “It took Man four hundred years to conquer the relatively benign North American continent. In less than half that time he would change Venus’s alien, poisonous nature. Already he had tamed her, sweetened her breath, softened her hard bosom. Now he was making her fertile.” Gaah, I mean, where do you start? The way he saw himself, Western civilisation, colonisation, ourselves as a species, the environment, the planet and, of course, women all expressed in forty-five words! (But then, I have no doubt whatsoever that in another seven decades from now our descendants will be cringing, every bit as aghast, at our attitudes).
    But if you can put up with that sort of thing, this is a really good read—some of the details in particular highly imaginative. I’m guessing it was mainly meant as a send-up of the Church of Scientology (“hedonics” a parody of scientology’s “dianetics”), which was brand-new back in the 1950s. I can’t help feeling, though, that Gunn must surely have also been influenced, as so many people were, by Orwell’s still-fresh nightmare which had been published only seven years earlier.… (more)

1941 noir is notable for how sharp the humor is. It is filled with a cast of really strange characters - a killer who likes to weep - two half-sisters who both sort of love him - a preying psychiatrist - an alcoholic mother and her rapidly evolving daughter - a confused kid sister - the killer's friend - one of the half-sister's intended spouses - the psychiatrist's "Earth Mother" assistant...it goes on and on. Everything moves along at a pretty good pace, with lots of memorable scenes along the way. it never quite seems real, however, since it is all just so strange. Great dialogue throughout, which perhaps explains why 21-year-old novelist Gunn spent the rest of his 46-year lifespan writing screenplays--and never another novel. Well, this is a good one to be semi-remembered by. Definitely recommended. This was the basis for the cult classic movie Born to Kill - which I haven't seen in a very long time, but does away with some of the characters and focuses the story a bit. I'll have to watch it again.… (more)