The Enchanted Duplicator[1] is science fiction fan fiction written by Walt Willis and Bob Shaw. It was originally published in February 1954, in an edition of 200 numbered copies, and has been reprinted many times, notably in an edition illustrated by Eddie Jones in 1962; in Amazing Stories in 1972/3; and in Warhoon 28, a hardcover fanzine collection of Willis's writing, in 1980.

Summary

It is an allegory of the journey of a science fiction fan, loosely based on John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress (though Shaw and Willis denied having read it beforehand).[2]

The Tower of Trufandom, the eventual location of the Enchanted Duplicator in the story, was based on Scrabo Tower in Newtownards, near Walt Willis' home in Northern Ireland.[3]

Sequel and stage versions

A sequel, Beyond the Enchanted Duplicator... To the Enchanted Convention, by Walt Willis and James White, was published in 1991 by Geri Sullivan, and illustrated by Stu Shiffman.

A musical based on the work was written by Erwin S. Strauss in 1975. A revised version premiered at the Dublin World Science Fiction Convention in 2019.[4][5]

A 1982 stage version written by Shelley Dutton Berry, Gary Farber, and Jerry Kaufman was performed at the convention Norwescon 5.[6]

References

  1. ^ Willis, Walt and Shaw, Bob, The Enchanted Duplicator, fanac.org. Accessed February 25, 2009.
  2. ^ Langford, David, "Cloud Chamber 118", Ansible.
  3. ^ Nielsen Hayden, Patrick and Teresa, "Aspects and Inclinations," Hyphen 37. Accessed May 1, 2008.
  4. ^ Playbill: The Enchanted Duplicator: the Musical, Dublin 2019, an Irish Worldcon. Accessed Sept. 5, 2021.
  5. ^ Theatrical Performances, Dublin 2019, an Irish Worldcon. Accessed Sept. 5, 2021.
  6. ^ Raz Baz Rep presents The Enchanted Duplicator (1982). Accessed Sept 5, 2021.

External links


John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress
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