Ghost V

by Robert Sheckley

"Ghost V" is a clever parody of the problem-solving story of the 1940s, as well as a highly entertaining psychological tale, all done with a very light touch.

Genres: Short Stories, Science Fiction, Humor

13 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1957

About the author

One of science fiction's great humorists, Sheckley was a prolific short story writer beginning in 1952 with titles including "Specialist", "Pilgrimage to Earth", "Warm", "The Prize of Peril", and "Seventh Victim", collected in volumes from Untouched by Human Hands (1954) to Is That What People Do? (1984) and a five-volume set of Collected Stories (1991). His first novel, Immortality, Inc. (1958), was followed by The Status Civilization (1960), Journey Beyond Tomorrow (1962), Mindswap (1966), and several others. Sheckley served as fiction editor for Omni magazine from January 1980 through September 1981, and was named Author Emeritus by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America in 2001.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Need a Planet Decontaminated? Call AAA Ace Planet Decontamination Service. They specialize in making any planet fit for human habitation. Run by Richard Gregor and Dr. Frank Arnold, they are presented with the task of decontaminating Planet RJC-5 or otherwise known as "Ghost V". A planet with no native habitants, all who have tried to colonize there have come to disastrous ends. All have but given up on Ghost V, but Gregor and Arnold are on the job!

I haven't read that much science fiction, but this short story wasn't terrible. It kept me interested and invested and wanting to know what would happen to its main characters. I had heard that Robert Sheckley was known for plot twists at the end of his stories and he certainly had me until the end! I would recommend this to someone perhaps just getting into reading Science Fiction. It helps set the stage awhile without getting too bizarre.