(Hoffman’s cover for the 1959 edition)
2.5/5 (Bad)
Fred Hoyle’s Ossian’s Ride (1959) is a disappointing sci-fi thriller which fails to live up to its intriguing premise: why is unusual technology flowing from unknown sources from far Western Ireland (a handy map is provided) beyond the Erin Curtain? Get it, Ireland’s IRON CURTAIN… This wobbly little thriller conjures but little thrill, the grand mystery is all too obvious/abrupt/giggle-inducing, and, most damaging, intended or not the political message is an endorsement of a police state as long as it encourages technological advancement.
The first edition cover proclaims Ossian’s Ride “a novel by a famous astronomer” — indeed, Fred Hoyle was much more famous in scientific circles than he ever was as a sci-fi author (he even coined the phrase “Big Bang” but under a much different context than might be expected). With his scientific background in mind, his prose didn’t strike me as as egregious as some reviewers have noted. The descriptions are simple and the characterizations flat but that isn’t uncommon in a large majority of 50s sci-fi novels.
The Powers cover (below) was the primary reason I snatched up a copy of the ’61 edition…
Brief Plot Summary (some spoilers due to the simplistic nature of the work)
Thomas Sherwood, a recent college graduate of mathematics, is hired by British Intelligence to find out the origins of new technology flowing from beyond the Erin Curtain in Ireland. Entire cities in Ireland are turning into ultra-modern and ultra-geometric metropolises. Gigantic roads slither across rural expanses. The British government is suspicious of the rising power of Ireland, and of course, the rest of world wants to get their hands on the goods. The country is filled with spies and Thomas Sherwood decides that “maintaining a low profile” might not be the best way — instead, he presents himself as Thomas Sherwood and acts like the student he is. Thomas ultimate goal is to sneak past the Erin Curtain and infiltrate I.C.E (Industrial Corporation of Éire) in order to find out who/what is behind all the advances.
Along the way he must run from helicopters, brave the frigid ocean in a small boat, run from tractors, scamper down cliffs, down rocks, through bogs, avoid agents from other organizations, avoid being pulled into infighting between agents, maintain his student persona, run away from fake priests, run away from a fast yet obese man, avoid drugged drinks, fall (twice) in love…
The entire gamut of the spy genre is hurled at us with earnest force and little effect. In the end, it would have been much easier for Thomas to simply ask I.C.E for a job — especially since they have virtually unlimited money set aside to hire promising young minds and established older scientists.
Final Thoughts (*spoilers*)
The mystery? I won’t reveal the mystery but it’s not that mysterious and the explanation takes up only a few pages. The last third of the novel is the most ramshackle part of the narrative. Thomas gets hired, someone tries to murder him, he figures out the riddle, falls in love, and gives in to the supermen. And it’s this part that ruins the book. Thomas decides that he might as well work for the “supermen” despite the fact that they’ve instituted a police state across the country. Hoyle might personally be against such states but throughout Thomas displays good sense (if somewhat foolish on occasion) and it feels somewhat against his character. In the end Hoyle is much more interested in talking about Thomas and his new love interest (a very unequal relationship) walking towards the new future than discussing the chilling implications of his actions.
I found this conclusion extremely unsatisfying. Hoyle’s technological advances are all positive — they could indeed help thousands! But are we really that blinded to the dangers of one corporation hiring all the most brilliant minds with no government oversight? What happens when more controversial technologies are promulgated? Can anyone do anything about it? Or, are we, as Thomas, supposed to simply give in and collaborate?
Avoid.
(Richard Powers’ cover for the 1961 edition)
(Uncredited cover for the 1967 edition)
(Lawrence Ratzkin’s cover for the 1965 edition)
(Uncredited cover for the 1968 edition — at first glance, the work of Don Punchatz?)
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Science Fiction and Other Suspect Ruminations 
Oh dear. I’ve only read his The Black Cloud, which is interesting but also as I recall has flat characterisation and weak writing. That ends up rather didactic. This sounds similar, but without the cosmically mind blowing premise which is all that makes The Black Cloud worthwhile. Avoid indeed.
Hoyle does manage to convey the breathless nature of a chase so perhaps his writing improved a bit after The Black Cloud (his first book) — but the predictable ending, painful political message, and endless spy clichés hurled at the reader from every direction make this a worthless read. For collectors of Powers’ covers only or die-hard fans of Hoyle — perhaps there are some out there…
I think I intuited from the “..famous astronomer” tagline that this might be a somewhat lackluster read. The covers, however, are pretty wonderful, especially that wickedly plaid first example. Fun visit to your site, as always : )
Thanks for the kind words. There are multiple authors who were previously scientists who produce pretty good work — David Brin for example (won the hugo multiple times for his series The Uplift War). But yes, I didn’t go in expecting much. I bought the book due to the great Powers’ cover (also included in this post).
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Lacks predictive power. Sherwood travels by steam train in 1970! Steam was eliminated from the Great Western route by 1964 and was on the cards when the novel was written. And to think that vast motorways would be considered advanced ….
Thanks for the comment. I must confess, “predictive power” in SF is what interests me the least… I rather contemplate a future conceived at a particular moment rather than compare our present to a past future.
Still enjoyed it though and rereading it now.