To Serve Man Review

You can’t talk about the Golden Age of science fiction without mentioning Damon Knight’s “To Serve Man.” This goes for short stories and sci-fi in general. You might know about this story from the season 3 episode 24 of The Twilight Zone. However, the story comes from Damon Knight and might be some of his best-known work. Of course I had to write a review about it after reading it. Let’s get into the review.

This story first appeared in a 1950 issue of Galaxy Science Fiction. A United Nations translator witnesses a group of pig-like aliens, who announce that they arrived on Earth to provide humans with “peace and plenty.” This includes food, energy, and, eventually, drugs that help extend human lifespans. Wars also stop around the world, as the aliens implement technology that inhibits explosions. Humans enjoy a new age of prosperity. However, the narrator’s friend guesses that something is amiss. He steals one of the alien’s books and attempts to learn the alien’s language. It’s here that the twist comes, but I won’t spoil it for those who haven’t read it.

I think what was most interesting to me about this story was the context behind it all. Knight wrote this story at the beginning of the Cold War, so including a setting among the United Nations adds a bit of perspective. It’s also interesting that the friend, Grigori, who is Soviet, figures out the twist. This character adds a string of cynicism that makes the ending so impactful. On top of that, this cynicism gets to the heart of the matter of the story’s main message as well. It does what science fiction does best: looking back at the real world and making a statement with a world it creates. One sees how the futility of the war comes through and how its string of cynicism brings that futility to the forefront.

I also enjoyed how this story developed strong characters as well as a strong plot. The story doesn’t rely solely on the twist. It also includes characters that remain assertive and proactive throughout the story, especially Grigori. The narrator, though unnamed, also acts as more than the conduit for telling the story. They come across as a living, breathing character with thoughts and opinions, though swept up in the supposedly positive developments going on in the world.

As I head back to the UK for school, things might get a little bit crazier. However, I’m determined to keep up with my science fiction reading goals and continue delving into my TBR. See you all this week for another Saturday post!

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