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It
From Wikipedia on 03.03.2019:
"It" is a horror short story by American writer Theodore Sturgeon, first published in Unknown of August 1940. The story deals with a plant monster that is ultimately revealed to have formed around a human skeleton, specifically that of Roger Kirk, in a swamp. P. Schuyler Miller described "It" as "probably the most unforgettable story ever published in Unknown.
"Cover title reads This is "It" - Only One of the Thirteen Great Stories in THEODORE STURGEON'S New Book|from the Prime Press——WITHOUT SORCERY|Presented (Without IT's Illustrations) to THE TORCON." The 29 [Currey] leaves are printed one side only. Fewer than 200 (maybe as low as 50) copies printed. OCLC: 19372331, which states 30 leaves and two leaves numbered '30'
To promote Without Sorcery, Prime Press published the story "It" in advance of the full collection. The book was published in paperback in an edition of 200 copies OCLC 19372331. 50 copies were given away at the Associated Fantasy Publishers party at the 6th World Science Fiction Convention and most were signed by Sturgeon. Few of the remaining copies were sold and the remainder are assumed destroyed.
"It" is a horror short story by American writer Theodore Sturgeon, first published in Unknown of August 1940. The story deals with a plant monster that is ultimately revealed to have formed around a human skeleton, specifically that of Roger Kirk, in a swamp. P. Schuyler Miller described "It" as "probably the most unforgettable story ever published in Unknown.
"Cover title reads This is "It" - Only One of the Thirteen Great Stories in THEODORE STURGEON'S New Book|from the Prime Press——WITHOUT SORCERY|Presented (Without IT's Illustrations) to THE TORCON." The 29 [Currey] leaves are printed one side only. Fewer than 200 (maybe as low as 50) copies printed. OCLC: 19372331, which states 30 leaves and two leaves numbered '30'
To promote Without Sorcery, Prime Press published the story "It" in advance of the full collection. The book was published in paperback in an edition of 200 copies OCLC 19372331. 50 copies were given away at the Associated Fantasy Publishers party at the 6th World Science Fiction Convention and most were signed by Sturgeon. Few of the remaining copies were sold and the remainder are assumed destroyed.
30 pages, Chapbook
First published January 1, 1940
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About the author
Theodore Sturgeon
722 books769 followersTheodore Sturgeon (1918–1985) is considered one of the godfathers of contemporary science fiction and dark fantasy. The author of numerous acclaimed short stories and novels, among them the classics More Than Human, Venus Plus X, and To Marry Medusa, Sturgeon also wrote for television and holds among his credits two episodes of the original 1960s Star Trek series, for which he created the Vulcan mating ritual and the expression "Live long and prosper." He is also credited as the inspiration for Kurt Vonnegut's recurring fictional character Kilgore Trout.
Sturgeon is the recipient of the Hugo Award, the Nebula Award, and the International Fantasy Award. In 2000, he was posthumously honored with a World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement.
Sturgeon is the recipient of the Hugo Award, the Nebula Award, and the International Fantasy Award. In 2000, he was posthumously honored with a World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 19, 2016
Read as part of the Retro Hugos nomination packet.
I generally like Theodore Sturgeon quite a lot. This story was OK, but it wasn't one of his best. It's an early work from him, and it fits more snugly in the pulp genre than his more complex later work.
A strange fungus-monster develops sentience, and animates a human corpse, going on a violent rampage in a rural area, wreaking havoc on one family in particular. One little girl has no idea the danger she is in. But her childish innocence is nothing to the curious amorality of the monster...
I generally like Theodore Sturgeon quite a lot. This story was OK, but it wasn't one of his best. It's an early work from him, and it fits more snugly in the pulp genre than his more complex later work.
A strange fungus-monster develops sentience, and animates a human corpse, going on a violent rampage in a rural area, wreaking havoc on one family in particular. One little girl has no idea the danger she is in. But her childish innocence is nothing to the curious amorality of the monster...
June 21, 2019
Creepy story with a creature that has lingered in my mind for years!
October 29, 2023
Read as a part of a short story collection. Good pace and a well written story about a something that awakens under the earth in the deep wood. The twist at the end was unexpected to say the least.
October 16, 2020
3.5 stars
This is for the individual short story only.
This 23 page SF/scary short story
was first published in the August 1940
issue of Unknown magazine.
This is for the individual short story only.
This 23 page SF/scary short story
was first published in the August 1940
issue of Unknown magazine.
June 5, 2022
A PROPOSITO DI SUSPENSE E ORRORE
https://youtu.be/9FoZtDySB1E
https://youtu.be/9FoZtDySB1E
March 5, 2019
A short story published by Sturgeon in 1940, "It" still captured my imagination and made me an even bigger fan of Sturgeon's. The man had some literary skills, even when writing pulp fiction about an inquisitive but ignorant mossy swamp monster who's still trying to figure out the nature of life and death. I understand completely why so many science fiction writers credit Sturgeon as being one of their main inspirations. He had some crazy good writing skills. And I need to read more of his works.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews