Who Goes There?

by John W. Campbell Jr., John W. Campbell
Who Goes There? cover
Good Books rating 4.06
Horror
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  • ID: 9742
  • Added: 2026-01-02
  • Updated: 2026-01-11
  • ISBN: 9781479477289
  • Published: 2025-01-17
  • Reviews: 4

Who Goes There? by John W. Campbell is a gripping science fiction novella set in the icy isolation of Antarctica. A group of scientists discovers a mysterious alien creature buried in the ice, only to find that it can imitate any living being perfectly. The novella is renowned for its suspenseful narrative and psychological horror, making it a cornerstone of the sci-fi horror genre. /n/n The story delves into the terrifying consequences of encountering an entity that can perfectly mimic any living being, leading to a breakdown of trust and a desperate struggle for survival. This classic tale inspired the famous film The Thing and remains a seminal work in the genre.

Reviews
Fantasy Literature · 2026-01-02
entertaining 4.50

The novella is influential and entertaining, praised for its intelligent science fiction content and appreciation for the film genre. It effectively builds tension and portrays action well.

This novella is a classic in the science fiction genre, and it's easy to see why. The story is engaging and well-crafted, with a strong sense of mystery and tension that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The characters are believable and react in logical, albeit sometimes irrational, ways to the paranoia induced by the story's central premise. The novella's influence on other works of fiction is a testament to its quality and enduring appeal. It's a short read, but it packs a punch and leaves a lasting impression.

Quick quotes

    The novella is influential and entertaining, praised for its intelligent science fiction content and appreciation for the film genre.

    It effectively builds tension and portrays action well.

    The characters are believable and react in logical, albeit sometimes irrational, ways to the paranoia induced by the story's central premise.

E. M. Gill's Rants · 2018-10-04
brilliant 4.75

It's a brilliant piece of paranoia, with characters reacting in logical and irrational ways. Considering its age, it's remarkable how well it holds up.

This review highlights the brilliance of 'Who Goes There?' as a piece of paranoia fiction. The characters' reactions to the story's central premise are both logical and irrational, adding depth and complexity to the narrative. Despite its age, the novella remains remarkably relevant and engaging. The review praises the story's ability to maintain tension and keep readers hooked. It's a testament to the enduring quality of the novella that it continues to captivate readers even decades after its publication.

Quick quotes

    It's a brilliant piece of paranoia, and characters react to it in logical, irrational ways.

    Considering its age, it's also remarkable how well it holds up.

    The story's ability to maintain tension and keep readers hooked is truly commendable.

Inverarity's LiveJournal · Inverarity · 2014-12-19
classic 4.00

The story is described as a fine pulp adventure that has been adapted into three decent monster movies. It is seen as a sci-fi classic that adds a layer of paranoia.

Inverarity appreciates the novella as a fine pulp adventure, noting its successful adaptation into monster movies. They highlight the story's classic sci-fi elements and the paranoia it evokes, which adds depth to the narrative. The reviewer also mentions that the story's exploration of isolation and the unknown makes it a compelling read. Overall, they see it as a significant work in the sci-fi genre.

Quick quotes

    A fine pulp adventure that was made into three decent monster movies.

    Who Goes There? is a sci-fi classic that added paranoia about the unknown.

    The story begins quite in the middle of things as a group of scientists at an outpost in the Antarctic have discovered something buried in the ice.

Kara Reviews · Kara Babcock · 2014-04-15
influential 3.00

While the story isn't overly great on its own, it has significant merits and has inspired many other works of fiction. It's a short, easy read that does a good job of portraying action and building tension.

Kara Babcock acknowledges that 'Who Goes There?' might not stand out as an exceptional story on its own, but its impact on the science fiction genre is undeniable. The novella's ability to inspire numerous other works speaks volumes about its quality. It's a quick read, but it effectively portrays action and builds tension, making it an enjoyable experience. The story's themes and ideas are thought-provoking, and its influence on subsequent works is a testament to its enduring relevance.

Quick quotes

    On its own, this story isn't overly great. Yet it clearly has merits, considering how it has inspired so many other works of fiction and served as a foundation for the genre.

    It's a short, easy read that does a good job of portraying the action and ratcheting up the tension of the mystery.

    The story's themes and ideas are thought-provoking, and its influence on subsequent works is a testament to its enduring relevance.

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