Neglected visions

by Barry N. Malzberg (Editor, Introduction), Martin H. Greenberg (Editor), Joseph D. Olander (Editor)

From the introduction:
"This anthology is an attempt not only to restore to the science fiction audiences some short fiction of lasting value but to restore the reputations of nine writers who for various reasons did not achieve in the time of of their greatest productivity the recognition which they deserved and which went to writers no more talented." ~ B.N.M., March 1978.

Contents:
○ Clerical Error, Mark Clifton
○ Mind Partner, Christopher Anvil
○ Ballenger's People, Kris Neville
○ The Hunting Lodge, Randall Garrett
○ Lost Memory, Peter Phillips
○ Junior, Robert Abernathy
○ Laugh Along With Franz, Norman Kagan
○ My Darling Hecate, Wyman Guin
○ Delay in Transit, F.L. Wallace

Also includes brief biographies and bibliographies of each included author.

212 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1979

About the author

Barry Nathaniel Malzberg was an American writer and editor, most often of science fiction and fantasy.

He had also published as:
Mike Barry (thriller/suspense)
K.M. O'Donnell (science fiction/fantasy)
Mel Johnson (adult)
Howard Lee (martial arts/TV tie-ins)
Lee W. Mason (adult)
Claudine Dumas (adult)
Francine di Natale (adult)
Gerrold Watkins (adult)
Eliot B. Reston

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an anthology with a neat concept. Malzberg selected nine writers whom he felt had been overlooked by the science fiction field and re-introduced their work in this book with stories he felt were deserving but forgotten. The title is an obvious play on Harlan Ellison's Dangerous Visions. The stories originally appeared from 1952-1965, three of them in John W. Campbell's Astounding Science Fiction and the others in Galaxy Magazine. The authors included Mark Clifton, Christopher Anvil, Kris Neville, Randall Garrett, Peter Phillips, Robert Abernathy, Norman Kagan, Wyman Guin, and F.L. Walllace. Sadly and ironically, the book was neglected... it only had a single edition with a small printing.

[Scout Who · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stories!
Overall I'm rating the book at 5 stars.
Even though some individual stories maybe don't quite merit 5 stars, overall the book is excellent and every story is a winner.

Below I'll share one passage from "Laugh Along With Franz", by Norman Kagan (1965). The story concerns a presidential election, and this passage is about a political ad on TV, encouraging people to vote "the Gay Ticket".
I don't quite know what to think of the passage, but I think it's interesting.
It speaks of gay pride nearly 4 years before the Stonewall Riots, which ushered in the Pride era.

"Let's turn America into a Fairyland!" a smiling young man with long blond hair and pouting lips cried, "Vote the Gay Ticket!

"Yes indeed, friends, we're not apologizing anymore. No indeed. In fact, we sincerely believe ours is not just an acceptable way of life, but rather a desirable, noble, and even preferable sort of existence. For one thing," he chided, "we've got the perfect solution to the population explosion!"

A dim cheer, interspaced with laughter and a few cat-calls, went up in the bar.

"So remember, vote the Gay Ticket, and life will be one long camping trip. Elect our candidate—he's a homosex-JEWEL!"

Lerner's introduction had mentioned the Homosexual Party. It was to be expected. In a fragmented world where morality had disappeared … people were desperate for any sort of meaning.

Other than the last line about morality, it sounds like the author is sympathetic to gays. But that last line seems to indicate otherwise.
Like I say, I find it interesting.

[Antonio · Rating 3 out of 5]

In some ways reading this book was like going back to the time I first read short stories from science fictions Golden Age. Re-reading the stories I read then isn't the same since I already know them, but here are stories with the same feel and I've never read them.

I liked it, I enjoyed reading it, but it wasn't awesome enough for 4 or 5 stars.