Slaves of Sleep
Encyclopedia
Slaves of Sleep is a science fiction
novel by author L. Ron Hubbard
. It was first published in book form in 1948
by Shasta Publishers
; the novel originally appeared in 1939 in an issue of the magazine Unknown
. The novel presents a story in which a man travels to a parallel universe
ruled by Ifrit
s. The protagonist takes on the identity of a human in this dimension
, and becomes involved in the politics of Ifrits in this fictional world.
, named Zongri, that was imprisoned. The Ifrit kills the thief and curses Palmer with eternal wakefulness. At night, Palmer assumes the identity of an adventurer in another dimension where the Ifrits rule the humans under the Ifrit queen where he becomes embroiled in the conflict between Zongri and the Ifrit queen.
, in the magazine Unknown
. Its first book publication was in 1948 in the U.S. by Shasta Publishers
in a hardback format. The first edition of the book contained a publication of 3,500 copies, of which 250 were signed by Hubbard. It was published in Germany
in 1963 in hardback format by Utopia-Kriminal. It was re-published in the U.S. in a paperback format in 1967, by Lancer Books
.
Actor Rene Auberjonois
performed audio reading for the 1993 adaptation of the book in spoken format, as a dual release with its sequel, titled together: Slaves of Sleep & the Masters of Sleep. In 1993 actors Michelle Stafford
, Sisu Raiken, Jim Meskimen
, Christopher Smith
and Tait Ruppert performed segments from the book with Interplay, their improv comedy organization. The 1993 edition by Bridge Publications
was part of re-released fictional works by L. Ron Hubbard.
concluded that the novel was "a rattling good adventure story," its technical flaws outweighed by "the express-train speed of the action [and] the bounce, zest, and exuberant humor."
In its entry on L. Ron Hubbard, The Houghton Mifflin Dictionary of Biography identified Slaves of Sleep as among the "classics" within the genre of science fiction
. In a 1986 article in The Washington Post
, journalist Janrae Frank commented on L. Ron Hubbard's writings, "Much of his best work of the '40s and '50s, Fear, Slaves of Sleep, Typewriter in the Sky, is written in exactly the same style and won reader polls at the time." Writing in authors Frank M. Robinson and Lawrence Davidson placed Slaves of Sleep among Hubbard's "finest novels". The book Icons of Horror and the Supernatural noted, "L. Ron Hubbard had great success with a heroic fantasy novel set in the world of the Arabian Nights, Slaves of Sleep, when it appeared in John W. Campbell's 'sophisticated' fantasy magazine Unknown". In a 1993 article, The Columbus Dispatch
recommended an edition of the book bound together with its sequel The Masters of Sleep, as a suggested holiday gift.
In 1994, Roland J. Green of the Chicago Sun-Times
noted, "L. Ron Hubbard's Slaves of Sleep/Masters of Sleep (Bridge, $18.95) reprints two short novels on the borderline between fantasy and horror. A further reminder of the late Hubbard's talent." San Francisco Chronicle
reported in 2003 that writer John Baxter retained a first edition copy of Slaves of Sleep in his private collection of rare books. In 2008, a first edition copy of the book was estimated to be worth between US$
400 to $600.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
novel by author L. Ron Hubbard
L. Ron Hubbard
Lafayette Ronald Hubbard , better known as L. Ron Hubbard , was an American pulp fiction author and religious leader who founded the Church of Scientology...
. It was first published in book form in 1948
1948 in literature
The year 1948 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:* The Pulitzer Prize for the Novel is renamed the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction....
by Shasta Publishers
Shasta Publishers
Shasta Publishers was a science fiction and fantasy small press specialty publishing house founded in 1947 by Erle Melvin Korshak, T. E. Dikty, and Mark Reinsberg, who were all science fiction fans from the Chicago area...
; the novel originally appeared in 1939 in an issue of the magazine Unknown
Unknown (magazine)
Unknown was an American pulp fantasy fiction magazine, published from 1939 to 1943 by Street & Smith, and edited by John W. Campbell. Unknown was a companion to Street & Smith's science fiction pulp, Astounding Science Fiction, which was also edited by Campbell at the time; many authors and...
. The novel presents a story in which a man travels to a parallel universe
Parallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
ruled by Ifrit
Ifrit
Ifrit—also spelled, efreet, ifreet, afreet, and afrit —are supernatural creatures in Arabic and Islamic cultures...
s. The protagonist takes on the identity of a human in this dimension
Plane (esotericism)
In esoteric cosmology, a plane, other than the physical plane is conceived as a subtle state of consciousness that transcends the known physical universe....
, and becomes involved in the politics of Ifrits in this fictional world.
Plot introduction
The novel concerns Jan Palmer, a young millionaire, who surprises a prowler who is attempting to burgle his collection of antiques. The prowler opens a jar that bears the seal of Sulayman releasing an IfritIfrit
Ifrit—also spelled, efreet, ifreet, afreet, and afrit —are supernatural creatures in Arabic and Islamic cultures...
, named Zongri, that was imprisoned. The Ifrit kills the thief and curses Palmer with eternal wakefulness. At night, Palmer assumes the identity of an adventurer in another dimension where the Ifrits rule the humans under the Ifrit queen where he becomes embroiled in the conflict between Zongri and the Ifrit queen.
Publication history
The story later published in book format, was first released in July 1936 in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, in the magazine Unknown
Unknown (magazine)
Unknown was an American pulp fantasy fiction magazine, published from 1939 to 1943 by Street & Smith, and edited by John W. Campbell. Unknown was a companion to Street & Smith's science fiction pulp, Astounding Science Fiction, which was also edited by Campbell at the time; many authors and...
. Its first book publication was in 1948 in the U.S. by Shasta Publishers
Shasta Publishers
Shasta Publishers was a science fiction and fantasy small press specialty publishing house founded in 1947 by Erle Melvin Korshak, T. E. Dikty, and Mark Reinsberg, who were all science fiction fans from the Chicago area...
in a hardback format. The first edition of the book contained a publication of 3,500 copies, of which 250 were signed by Hubbard. It was published in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in 1963 in hardback format by Utopia-Kriminal. It was re-published in the U.S. in a paperback format in 1967, by Lancer Books
Lancer Books
Lancer Books was a series of paperback books published from 1961 through 1973 by Irwin Stein and Walter Zacharius. While it published stories of a number of genres, it was noted most for its science fiction and fantasy, particularly its series of Robert E. Howard's Conan the Barbarian tales, the...
.
Actor Rene Auberjonois
Rene Auberjonois
René Murat Auberjonois is an American actor, known for portraying Father Mulcahy in the movie version of M*A*S*H and for creating a number of characters in long-running television series, including Clayton Endicott III on Benson , Odo on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Chef Louis in The Little...
performed audio reading for the 1993 adaptation of the book in spoken format, as a dual release with its sequel, titled together: Slaves of Sleep & the Masters of Sleep. In 1993 actors Michelle Stafford
Michelle Stafford
Michelle Stafford is an American actress, best known for her role as Phyllis Summers on The Young and the Restless.-Career:...
, Sisu Raiken, Jim Meskimen
Jim Meskimen
Jim Ross Meskimen is an American comedian and actor, perhaps best known for his work on the improvisation show Whose Line Is It Anyway? and as the voice of President George W. Bush and other politicians for the internet Jib Jab animated shorts...
, Christopher Smith
Christopher Smith
Christopher Smith may refer to:* Christopher Smith *Christopher Neil-Smith, Anglican exorcist*Christopher Smith , English actor*Christopher Smith , British film director...
and Tait Ruppert performed segments from the book with Interplay, their improv comedy organization. The 1993 edition by Bridge Publications
Bridge Publications (Scientology)
Bridge Publications, Inc. is a Californian 501 non-profit corporation. It is based in Los Angeles, California, and is the Church of Scientology's North American publishing corporation. It publishes the Scientology and nonfiction works of L. Ron Hubbard...
was part of re-released fictional works by L. Ron Hubbard.
Reception
Reviewing the Shasta edition, L. Sprague de CampL. Sprague de Camp
Lyon Sprague de Camp was an American author of science fiction and fantasy books, non-fiction and biography. In a writing career spanning 60 years, he wrote over 100 books, including novels and notable works of non-fiction, including biographies of other important fantasy authors...
concluded that the novel was "a rattling good adventure story," its technical flaws outweighed by "the express-train speed of the action [and] the bounce, zest, and exuberant humor."
In its entry on L. Ron Hubbard, The Houghton Mifflin Dictionary of Biography identified Slaves of Sleep as among the "classics" within the genre of science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
. In a 1986 article in The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
, journalist Janrae Frank commented on L. Ron Hubbard's writings, "Much of his best work of the '40s and '50s, Fear, Slaves of Sleep, Typewriter in the Sky, is written in exactly the same style and won reader polls at the time." Writing in authors Frank M. Robinson and Lawrence Davidson placed Slaves of Sleep among Hubbard's "finest novels". The book Icons of Horror and the Supernatural noted, "L. Ron Hubbard had great success with a heroic fantasy novel set in the world of the Arabian Nights, Slaves of Sleep, when it appeared in John W. Campbell's 'sophisticated' fantasy magazine Unknown". In a 1993 article, The Columbus Dispatch
The Columbus Dispatch
The Columbus Dispatch is a daily newspaper based in Columbus, Ohio. Its first issue was published on July 1, 1871, and has been the only mainstream daily newspaper in the city since The Columbus Citizen-Journal stopped printing in 1985....
recommended an edition of the book bound together with its sequel The Masters of Sleep, as a suggested holiday gift.
In 1994, Roland J. Green of the Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
noted, "L. Ron Hubbard's Slaves of Sleep/Masters of Sleep (Bridge, $18.95) reprints two short novels on the borderline between fantasy and horror. A further reminder of the late Hubbard's talent." San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco Chronicle
thumb|right|upright|The Chronicle Building following the [[1906 San Francisco earthquake|1906 earthquake]] and fireThe San Francisco Chronicle is a newspaper serving primarily the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California, but distributed throughout Northern and Central California,...
reported in 2003 that writer John Baxter retained a first edition copy of Slaves of Sleep in his private collection of rare books. In 2008, a first edition copy of the book was estimated to be worth between US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
400 to $600.