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Perilous Planets: An Anthology of Way Back When Futures
Planetfall. Beyond the helmet’s visor beckons an unknown, unexplored planet, awaiting the footprint of man. Walk across the sunward side of Mercury; meet with the Lizard People who murder their excess womenfolk; shelter with the telepathic Quogs during their unearthly monsoon; view the granite goddess, an icon as vast as a continent.
350 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1980
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About the author
Brian W. Aldiss
834 books673 followersPseudonyms: Jael Cracken, Peter Pica, John Runciman, C.C. Shackleton, Arch Mendicant, & "Doc" Peristyle.
Brian Wilson Aldiss was one of the most important voices in science fiction writing today. He wrote his first novel while working as a bookseller in Oxford. Shortly afterwards he wrote his first work of science fiction and soon gained international recognition. Adored for his innovative literary techniques, evocative plots and irresistible characters, he became a Grand Master of Science Fiction in 1999.
Brian Aldiss died on August 19, 2017, just after celebrating his 92nd birthday with his family and closest friends.
Brian W. Aldiss Group on Good Reads
Brian Wilson Aldiss was one of the most important voices in science fiction writing today. He wrote his first novel while working as a bookseller in Oxford. Shortly afterwards he wrote his first work of science fiction and soon gained international recognition. Adored for his innovative literary techniques, evocative plots and irresistible characters, he became a Grand Master of Science Fiction in 1999.
Brian Aldiss died on August 19, 2017, just after celebrating his 92nd birthday with his family and closest friends.
Brian W. Aldiss Group on Good Reads
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 30, 2019
I generally enjoy reading older science fiction, back when things were somewhat more absurd and yet, also much more simple. Rockets abound and planets are incredibly Earth-like.
Having said that, I found many of the stories contained within this book a bit too simple, or concerning a non-interesting subject, or just...quaint. I mean, I'm guessing that's the point to some extent...but for a title such as "Perilous Planets" the planets contained therein were very, well, unperilous.
One story simply revolved around rock-climbing...another concerned one character's perceived boredom and the mundanity of a homogeneous world.
However, it being a collection of short stories, if you find yourself bored with one, it'll be over in a few pages and you can move on.
If you are a fan of science-fiction in general, I would probably recommend it, as it has that old-timey sci-fi charm...but if you have other things that you'd rather read first, go ahead and do that.
Having said that, I found many of the stories contained within this book a bit too simple, or concerning a non-interesting subject, or just...quaint. I mean, I'm guessing that's the point to some extent...but for a title such as "Perilous Planets" the planets contained therein were very, well, unperilous.
One story simply revolved around rock-climbing...another concerned one character's perceived boredom and the mundanity of a homogeneous world.
However, it being a collection of short stories, if you find yourself bored with one, it'll be over in a few pages and you can move on.
If you are a fan of science-fiction in general, I would probably recommend it, as it has that old-timey sci-fi charm...but if you have other things that you'd rather read first, go ahead and do that.
December 21, 2020
I'm rating this three stars because it has a couple of great stories in it. The trouble is, they're the stories which crop up in every other compilation, and the remainder are a bit flat.
Perilous Planets supposedly has a theme, but it's tenuous at best. The most you could say is "people are on an alien world, and perhaps one of them gets in a spot of bother".
Damon Knight's Four In One is one of the most captivating stories I've ever read - but I've read it in a thousand other compilations.
How Are They On Deneb IV? by C.C. Shackelton is an interesting piece of metafiction, but too clever for its own good. I'd recommend it to someone for curiosity, rather than actual reading pleasure.
The only other story I hadn't read before that I thought was particularly good was William Morrison's The Sack.
Overall, hit-and-miss.
Perilous Planets supposedly has a theme, but it's tenuous at best. The most you could say is "people are on an alien world, and perhaps one of them gets in a spot of bother".
Damon Knight's Four In One is one of the most captivating stories I've ever read - but I've read it in a thousand other compilations.
How Are They On Deneb IV? by C.C. Shackelton is an interesting piece of metafiction, but too clever for its own good. I'd recommend it to someone for curiosity, rather than actual reading pleasure.
The only other story I hadn't read before that I thought was particularly good was William Morrison's The Sack.
Overall, hit-and-miss.
November 22, 2021
A fun anthology of older stories organized around the theme of planetary exploration.
January 1, 2023
Such a great book full of awesome sf stories. I love the layout of the content with sections of stories based on things like uninhabited planets, aliens, Mars and Venus
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August 22, 2008Perilous Planets by Aldiss (1980)
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews