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[SOVIET SCI-FI] Desiataia planeta [i.e. The Tenth Planet]

Belyaev, S.

Item #2600

Moscow: Detgiz, 1945. 70, [2] pp. 20 × 13 cm. In original illustrated wrappers. Fragments of spine lost, covers and spine rubbed, pale water stain on back cover, otherwise very good and clean pages.

First and only edition. The story is illustrated with drawings by A. Miroshkin.
The history of Russian sci-fi knows the famous name of Alexander Belyaev (1884–1942), the author of Amphibian Man, and the less known but also prolific sci-fi writer, Sergei Belyaev (1883–1953). He graduated from the medical faculty of Yuryev University and spent the greater part of his life working as a doctor, combining this occupation with literary activity. He wrote essays and short stories, and after the October Revolution, he collaborated with ROSTA. He gained fame for his science fiction works written in the 1920s-1940s. His first science fiction publication was the novel “Radiomozg” (Radio Brain, 1926; 1928), which was serialized in ‘Rabochaya Gazeta’ (The Workers’ Newspaper) and later published as a separate edition. In this novel, Soviet people thwart the plans of Western mad scientists who dream of seizing power over the world with the help of a device they invented—an artificial “brain” capable of dictating another’s will to people. He also worked in other genres. Among his documentary works are “Women’s Hygiene”, “Take Care of Your Eyesight”, “Malaria”, “Earth’s Blood (Petroleum)”, “Tuberculosis”, etc.

This work tells about interstellar travel. By the 1940s, scientists had discovered Pluto and considered it the ninth planet in the Solar System. Therefore, astronomical tales
were built around further research. Alexander Belyaev’s novel “Ariel” (1941) mentions the tenth planet of the Solar System and this may be the impulse for Sergei Belyaev
to create a separate work.
The main character, academician Solntsev is visited by his student Yuri Krichigin, the inventor of a very fast vehicle, “planetoplane”. The academician is invited to a journey
to the Tenth Planet to confirm the theory of its existence. Together, they visit this planet, experience fascinating adventures and come back. The story ends rather unexpectedly, but to fully understand the final lines, one must read the author’s chapter, where he discusses certain references to academician I. Pavlov’s works.

Worldcat doesn’t track this edition.

Price: $750.00