Reviews

The Best Science Fiction Stories, by Frederik Pohl, Harry Harrison, John Wyndham, Poul Anderson, Raymond Z. Gallun, James Alexander, Philip K. Dick, Brian W. Aldiss, Algis Budrys, John Christopher, J.G. Ballard, Chad Oliver, James Blish, Arthur Porges, Fritz Leiber, Isaac Asimov, Bob Shaw, Michael Stapleton, Clifford D. Simak, Garry Kilworth, A.E. van Vogt, Alfred Bester, Arthur C. Clarke, Bill Brown, E.M. Forster, Francis Donovan, Daphne Castell, Larry Niven, Ray Bradbury, H.G. Wells

sashas_books's review against another edition

hopeful reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

 I do love the way Simak writes – so simply, so subtly, giving the reader a hug, or a wink, as the case may be. Also, his works (with some exceptions) do not feel as dated to me as so much of the older sci-fi does. I should really dig through our bookshelves more often – “wow, look, I found a collection of Simak stories I hadn’t read!” 

 

“Founding Father” – coziness at a colony on a new planet gets turned around by a surprise ending and a panicky, suffocating feeling in the last sentences. It reminded me of Bradbury. 

 

“Immigrant” – there is an El Dorado kind of planet that everyone dreams of going to. Then there is a twist, and then another, and then another. Quite lovely. 

 

“New Folk’s Home” – the basic idea is interesting, but the story itself is nothing special. It is only the writing that makes it stand out. 

 

“Crying Jag” – a hilarious and nonsensical story about aliens and sadness. 

 

“All the Traps of Earth” – a robot on the run almost becomes a robot messiah. This was a really heartwarming story. 

 

“Lulu” – OR “How to Write About a Rogue AI in a Sexist Way”. Do read more Simak by all means, but skip this one. 

 

“Neighbor” – There are aliens among us! Here is a story that manages to be pastoral, cozy and spooky at the same time.