Sun 31 Jan 2021
Diary Review: RAYMOND J. HEALY & J. FRANCIS McCOMAS, Editors – Famous Science-Fiction Stories: Adventures in Time And Space, Part 5.
Posted by Steve under Diary Reviews , Science Fiction & Fantasy[4] Comments
RAYMOND J. HEALY & J. FRANCIS McCOMAS, Editors – Famous Science-Fiction Stories: Adventures in Time And Space. The Modern Library G-31; hardcover, 1957, xvi + 997 pages. First published as Adventures in Time in Space, Random House, hardcover, 1946. Bantam F3102, paperback, 1966, as Adventures in Time and Space (contains only 8 stories). Ballantine, paperback, 1975, also as Adventures in Time and Space.
Part 4 can be found here.
ALFRED BESTER “Adam and No Eve.†The destruction and rebirth of the earth ages ago, with the secret of rebirth the key to the story. (4)
Update: First published in Astounding Science-Fiction, September 1941. First reprinted in this anthology. Also included in Beyond Control, edited by Robert Silverberg (Thomas Nelson, hardcover, 1972). First collected in Starburst (Signet S1524, paperback original, 1958); then in Star Light, Star Bright (Berkley/Putnam, hardcover, 1976). Bester was an extremely well known author in his day, with several classic novels and short stories to his credit, but I think he’s all but forgotten today.
ISAAC ASIMOV “Nightfall.†One of the best known SF stories of all time, about a civilization haunted by fear of darkness, which recurs every 2050 years. (5)
Update: First published in Astounding Science-Fiction, September 1941. Reprinted and collected many times. Every SF reader and collector of a certain age must have read it at least once.
HARRY BATES “A Matter of Size.†Novella. A scientist caught up in a mysterious plot is reduced in size. The ratio of one to twelve makes the dimensions come out easy. (1)
Update: First published in Astounding Stories, April 1934. First reprinted in this anthology. Collected in The Day the Earth Stood Still & Other SF Classics (Renaissance E Books, trade paperback, 2008). Bates’ story “Farewell to the Master†(Astounding SF, October 1940) was the basis for the movie The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951). Bates was also the editor of Astounding in the early 1930s (1930-33).
TO BE CONTINUED.…
January 31st, 2021 at 4:10 pm
Steve, what grade did the Bester get from you? He’s one of the best SF writers ever. I’ve read his short stories and novels, The Demolished Man and Stars My Destination, several times. I also like his mainstream novel, The Rat Race, also titled Who He?
January 31st, 2021 at 4:13 pm
Oops, I left that out. I’ve just added it: four stars. I agree with you about Bester. He was one of the best SF writers of all time. Unlike you, though, I’ve never managed to read anything of his more than once.
January 31st, 2021 at 7:22 pm
Here’s a copy of my “diary” page where these short reviews came from. It’s a black looseleaf notebook, perhaps 5″ by 7″. Remember typewriters?
February 23rd, 2021 at 8:29 pm
[…] Part 5 can be found here. […]