Title: Tama of the Light Country
Author: Ray Cummings
Cover artist: Podwil
Condition: 7/10
Value: ~$5
Best things about this cover:
- She's back! Well, actually, this book is earlier than the last one (Paperback 1062), so ... she's here! For the first time! And yet again! Tamagain! Tamalamadingdong! Slicing her way through the planetary system, god knows why...
- Tama, Queen of Forgotten Serial Characters!
- Those blood-soaked wings are phenomenal, why didn't she catch on / take off!? Fewer Marvel movies, more Tama movies!
- Once again I identify with the nondescript dude in the background urging Tama on while staying safely back
- Caught between two space volleyballs, Tama braces for she knows not what!
- I see no evidence that she has been or is about to be "Kidnapped by a spaceship," let alone "Kidnapped by a spaceship Exclamation Point!"
Best things about this back cover:
- Not much
- LOL satellite paranoia! Nice.
- "Furore"—when it's spelled like that you are required to pronounce it with three syllables like "Volare!"
Page 123~
I do not find it pleasant, nor does Rowena, nor do any of the rest of us.
It's settled, then—I won't bother with this book. Thank you, Mr. Narrator.
~RP
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3 comments:
I like this one better than the other Tama cover. The main figure is a little more to the fore, and the red of her dress works better. This is sort of transitional to those more or less abstract covers of a few years later. Take Tama out of it, and it looks like one of those Paul Lehr covers with a few vaguely science fictiony elements that have nothing to do with the story.
I don't think Tama here is the kidnapee. It sounds like it's Earth girls being kidnapped, and I doubt they're being given cool wings and taught to fly. She's probably a local princess that Guy Palisse, Space Explorer teams up with to fight the evil kidnappers. Kind of a Dejah Thoris/John Carter thing.
Ah, the amazing world of retro SF! "Tama of the Light Country" is available on Amazon (and I might buy the Kindle edition as it only costs around $1). As for the plot, the blurb on Amazon reads:
One midnight in August, the raids began. The White Summer Camp for Girls was struck first and when the confusion ended ten girls were missing and two were dead.
Hysterical witnesses claimed they saw shapeless forms lurking at the cabin windows. Several girls mentioned flashes of green-blue light. As stories trickled in from the surrounding countryside, it became evident that these inhuman invaders were attacking with a purpose—and from outer space. Why were the victims always young girls? How, despite the constant surveillance of the State Patrol, did the invaders strike?
A team of scientists and reporters left earth in a pioneer space ship to try and solve the mystery. Among them was the sister of the famous Guy Palisse who had disappeared into space ten years ago in an attempt to reach the moon. Reports indicated that he was dead, but near White Summer Camp the body of a winged girl was found. The last words she had gasped were in English. Was it possible Guy had reached his destination after all?
Wow this Guy Palisse character really gets around
I really appreciate the contextual information, y’all
RP
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