Perilous Planets

by Brian W. Aldiss (Editor/Contributor)

An exciting anthology of science fiction adventures on alien planets, edited by Brian W. Aldiss. The contents Introduction, Brian W. Aldiss; How Are They All on Deneb IV?, C. C. Shackleton; Mouth of Hell, David I. Masson; Brightside Crossing, Alan E. Nourse; The Monster, A. E. van Vogt,; The Monsters, Robert Sheckley; Grenville’s Planet, Michael Shaara; Beachhead [“You’ll Never Go Home Again”], Clifford D. Simak; The Ark of James Carlyle, Cherry Wilder; On the River, Robert F. Young; Goddess in Granite, Robert F. Young; The Seekers, E. C. Tubb; When the People Fell, Cordwainer Smith; The Titan, P. Schuyler Miller; Four in One, Damon Knight; The Age of Invention, Norman Spinrad; The Snowmen, Frederik Pohl; Schwartz Between the Galaxies, Robert Silverberg; Afterword, Brian W. Aldiss

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories, Fiction, Anthologies

350 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1980

About the author

Pseudonyms: 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

Reviews

[Nadienne Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Larry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun anthology of older stories organized around the theme of planetary exploration.

[Johnny · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[bluetyson]

Perilous Planets by Aldiss (1980)