A Trace of Memory

Written at the beginning of Laumer's peak in popularity, A Trace of Memory is a fast-paced adventure/thriller mystery about a lone-wolf human aiding and befriending a stranded humanoid alien on Earth. Legion is a layabout itinerant worker with former Army intelligence training, who uses an opaque job posting in the paper to avoid going to jail. Foster, the large and imposing man who posted the advertisement (seeking a willing companion for an unspecified adventure) suffers from long-term amnesia, but possesses an indestructible journal with indecipherable hints as to his history.

The novel version of A Trace of Memory still roughly contains the three chunks that it was serialized in, all told through the first person perspective of Legion. Unfortunately, some of these chunks are better drawn than others. Perhaps the best of the three is the first, where the majority of Foster's identity is unraveled through high-action drama. The pair travel to Stonehenge, battle mysterious life-stealing orbs, and cope with Foster's sudden rejuvenation into a younger body. Laumer throws lots of twists and turns into the mix which keeps things fresh and exciting, diverting attention away from a plot that suffers from a lot of conveniences and believability issues. The middle third is by comparison more bland, bridging the gap between more interesting plot threads with Legion's rise to wealth exploiting some of Foster's alien technology. Doing so exposes him to the fury of U.S. and Russian government agencies, which he predictably escapes the clutches of by seeking asylum on his friend's distant world.

The climactic final portion is certainly the most interesting from an ideas perspective but is also messy and less coherent than the other two. Foster's alien culture has achieved near immortality through bodily rejuvenation and memory transference, though it's implied that his species and humans come from the same stock, the difference being that they developed an inoculation against a disease that causes aging in both body and mind. Because of their longevity, they have the continuity required to develop a better form of society and high technology. It is in describing this culture that Laumer can tend towards clunky, mystifying passages. Unfortunately for Legion, the society he finds on the planet has fallen from these heights into a more socially mobile version of medieval earth, complete with feudal territories, slavery, despot kings, and war. Legion must climb the social ladder and find Foster while trying to unleash the potential that he knows exist within this alien world.

Unlike a lot of serialized adventure stories of the time, the central relationship is not one between a macho hero and a witless princess. The camaraderie between Foster and Legion is at the core of the novel, and with it comes a certain brand of uncontained optimism about human endurance and ingenuity. Despite seemingly insurmountable odds Legion never seriously doubts his ability to overcome his circumstances. Even when faced with certain death, Legion's internal monologue comforts him with the thought that at least he tried his best for his friend. Legion ends up sacrificing a lot for his friendship with Foster, but is ultimately rewarded for it.

Legion's biblical name suggests even more positivity, implying that most people (at least men) are capable of great achievements despite their mortal failings and limitations. Legion himself, however, suffers from an unbearable case of being a smartass, who is unable to stop himself from responding to every circumstance or question with dated zingers (like comparing Foster's forgotten spaceship to a taxi parked with the meter running). I could practically hear the drum sting implied with these lines which left me seriously distracted.

A Trace of Memory is a decent but unimpressive showing from Laumer, and from what I understand typical of his trappings and style. Despite some of the novelties it has in comparison to pulp contemporaries, it doesn't come off as very memorable or remarkable. Best fit for a brainless action/SF movie.