Synopsis
A scientist is held captive in the Amazon jungle by a deposed dictator. He uses his knowledge of chemistry and biology to doom the dictator and all of his followers.
History
First publication: Thrilling Wonder Stories June 1939
Review
I believe this is the only story I have read by John Taine. I’ve always wanted to read more. This story is sort of typical for the 30s, with a mad scientist and impossible science. It seems more polished in its writing though. The characters are still pretty flat, but the situation is interesting, of a scientist held captive by a deposed dictator deep in the Amazon jungle, forced to find a way to provide meat for everyone. It has a terrifying and yet somehow happy ending that left an impression with me as a teenager and still seems powerful today. This is a pretty terrific early SF short story.
Videos
We have the story in these editions:
The Great SF Stories 1 (1939), edited by Isaac Asimov, Martin H. Greenberg, paperback, DAW Books, 1979-03-00
