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prbowler's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
elanna76's review against another edition
4.0
One will find the stories quite discontinuous in quality and tone, but the good ones are true masterpieces of the genre.
One of them is, possibly, the most uplifting sci-fi story ever. Imagine that Gene Roddenberry and [a:Adrian Tchaikovsky|1445909|Adrian Tchaikovsky|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1282303363p2/1445909.jpg] of [b:Children of Time|25499718|Children of Time (Children of Time, #1)|Adrian Tchaikovsky|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1431014197l/25499718._SY75_.jpg|45276208] fame have a literary child, and you will get an idea of it. Imagine an eco-system galaxy where every species is interconnected to the other. Imagine keeping your identity without any need to be ever isolated or misunderstood or scared anymore. One cannot but put down the story and start day-dreaming.
Writing the review few months after finishing the listen, few other stories come to mind. The title one, classic comedic sci-fi, presents quite the lame ending; however, the description of the various life-forms in the storage building is mind bending enough to lure one back again and again to the story. Sheckley had indeniably a wild imagination.
The best title, however, is the first one. It would be difficult to find modern, "woke" sci-fi able to describe in the same, poignant way the point of view of the irreducible other.
Worth listening to, although the thick accent of Master Sheckley himself reading one of the stories made it next to impossible to understand the plot for this poor, ignorant, tone deaf foreigner; in general, the readers did a decent job.
One of them is, possibly, the most uplifting sci-fi story ever. Imagine that Gene Roddenberry and [a:Adrian Tchaikovsky|1445909|Adrian Tchaikovsky|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1282303363p2/1445909.jpg] of [b:Children of Time|25499718|Children of Time (Children of Time, #1)|Adrian Tchaikovsky|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1431014197l/25499718._SY75_.jpg|45276208] fame have a literary child, and you will get an idea of it. Imagine an eco-system galaxy where every species is interconnected to the other. Imagine keeping your identity without any need to be ever isolated or misunderstood or scared anymore. One cannot but put down the story and start day-dreaming.
Writing the review few months after finishing the listen, few other stories come to mind. The title one, classic comedic sci-fi, presents quite the lame ending; however, the description of the various life-forms in the storage building is mind bending enough to lure one back again and again to the story. Sheckley had indeniably a wild imagination.
The best title, however, is the first one. It would be difficult to find modern, "woke" sci-fi able to describe in the same, poignant way the point of view of the irreducible other.
Worth listening to, although the thick accent of Master Sheckley himself reading one of the stories made it next to impossible to understand the plot for this poor, ignorant, tone deaf foreigner; in general, the readers did a decent job.
jrlagace's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wintzyy's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
vahala's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.25
ogreart's review against another edition
4.0
A selection of Sheckley's short stories. Most good old, hard sci-fi, but with a little fantasy as well. Includes the classic "The Seventh Victim." A lot of fun even if a bit dated here and there.
hazzabb's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
angiemochie's review
4.0
A collection of short sci-fi stories. True to the title they are mainly about creatures and civilisations that are not on Earth. Some also interact with humans in an interesting way. My favourite stories are Keep Your Shape and Specialist, which I think is about how every member of the military should be content with their purpose in the system. I also like Watchbird, which echoes the sentiment towards AI that is even more relevant today.
Some stories have really abrupt endings or took a while to get into because of the many names of creatures and things introduced. Although, I enjoyed the witty storytelling. Looking forward to reading Sheckley’s longer works.
Some stories have really abrupt endings or took a while to get into because of the many names of creatures and things introduced. Although, I enjoyed the witty storytelling. Looking forward to reading Sheckley’s longer works.
nietlucht's review
4.0
4.5 stars
I absolutely LOVED this collection of stories. This was my first time reading anything by Robert Sheckley and I found really like the simplicity and the general way the stories were written in. I liked the variety in stories as well, I truly think there’s something for everyone in here.
I absolutely LOVED this collection of stories. This was my first time reading anything by Robert Sheckley and I found really like the simplicity and the general way the stories were written in. I liked the variety in stories as well, I truly think there’s something for everyone in here.
sophw1's review
dark
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5