Synopsis
Strange mutations are found in a park in South Africa, where a man had previously been carrying out his scientific experiments.
History
First publication: Astounding August 1939
Review
I’ve only read a few works by De Camp so far and none of his novels yet. This story is relatively early in his career, but is very professional. The characters are very well written and the situation is very imaginative. We know that the notion of rays or atomic radiation causing such mutations as in this story is not possible, but de Camp isn’t trying to write a science article. The story is fiction and with the goal of being light-hearted and amusing rather than to be taken seriously. De Camp succeeds at this, creating a funny and enjoyable short story. It holds up well even today, not seeming especially dated. Recommended for a short and light read. -Gregory Kerkman
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
