Seven Trips Through Time and Space

✍ Scribed by Conklin, Groff

• Book ID: 108939709
• Publisher: Coronet
• Year: 1973
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 13 KB
• Category: Fiction

✦ Synopsis

The Crime and Glory of Commander Suzdal is a short story by Cordwainer Smith that captures most of the elements that he explored in his work : individual psychology, sociology and the implications of genetic manipulation of both people and animals. In addition, the ever present Instrumentality shows up.

The story also is written in a less straightforward manner then some of his stories, starting with a one paragraph long introduction warning the reader "Do not read this story : turn the page quickly.". It goes on to state that nothing in the story is true. This voice enters throughout the thirteen page story several times, warning the reader not to believe anything they are reading. The concluding words of the story are: "That's the story. Furthermore, it isn't true.".

The stories possible mythic nature aside, the narrator tells us in quite a bit of detail what happened. The story tells of how A Commander Suzdal is sent off an a mission of exploration. As often happens in these stories, he is a trance state for most of the journey, while most of the actual work of the running of the ship is done by turtle underpeople. Suzdal was only awaken when a decision had to be made. In his trance state, Commander Suzdal is kept entertained by playing chess with the computers, but refuses to have an animal brain implanted with his wife's personality brought along to keep him occupied.