Reviewer:
cosmico -
-
August 31, 2010
Subject:
Keith Laumer
Keith Laumer was a fascinating individual. As a teenager I corresponded with him around 1970-72. He was a highly imaginative author, but a bit eccentric as well (his rusting outdoor collection of Mercury Cougar autos is a good example). Still, he fired my own young imagination, and gave me some wild suggestions for my budding independent sci-fi filmmaking efforts (like: get an alligator skeleton, put it in a torn-up uniform, coat well with dust and moss, and set it at the controls of a wrecked spaceship set).
My favorite Laumer books are still The Great Time Machine Hoax and The House in November, but in all honesty, I never cared much for his Retief stories.
I do still think of him whenever I see a 1960s Mercury Cougar. And yes, if I ever find an alligator skeleton, I'll film that idea he gave me...with my thanks.