Beyond Fantasy Fiction, September 1953

Beyond Fantasy Fiction, September 1953 This issue of the science fiction and fantasy magazine features novelets and short stories by established genre authors. Theodore Cogswell's "The Wall Around the World" concerns a young protagonist named Porgie who becomes obsessed with discovering what lies beyond an enormous, impassable barrier encircling his world. Despite his teacher's insistence that magical solutions will eventually emerge, Porgie pursues non-magical methods—particularly eagle-powered flight—to breach the Wall. The story contrasts Porgie's rational experimentation with his society's faith-based magical tradition, while dark warnings about "the Black Man" shadow his departed father's heretical attempts at mechanical flight. Additional stories by Sturgeon, Asimov, Dick, Bloch, Bixby, Wyndham, and others round out the 141-page issue, edited by H. L. Gold.