New Worlds Science Fiction No. 23

New Worlds Magazine, May 1954, Vol. 8, No. 23

This British science fiction monthly contains four short stories, a three-part serial installment, and an article. "Zoological Specimen" by A. Bertram Chandler, set aboard a deep-space vessel, features a ship's mate discovering the manifest lists a mysterious "zoological specimen"—which the captain reveals is a euphemism for a corpse from Mars being returned to Earth for burial. The story details the mate's breakfast with three passengers: Kennedy, a reporter; Trainer, a mining engineer; and Lynn Davies, an entertainer. Also included is "The Gamble" by Jonathan F. Burke, "Space Capsule" by E.R. James, "Walk Into My Parlour" by Alan Barclay, and the second part of Cyril M. Kornbluth's serial "Takeoff." An article on automation by John Newman appears alongside book reviews and editorial content, including a prediction piece discussing expert opinions on timelines for lunar and interplanetary space travel.