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Nova #2
Nova 2
Introduction by Harry Harrison
Zirn Left Unguarded, the Jenghik Palace in Flames, Jon Westerly Dead-Robert Sheckley
East Wind, West Wind-Frank M. Robinson
The Sumerian Oath-Philip Jose Farmer
Now+n Now-n-Robert Silverberg
Two Odysseys into the Centre-Barry N. Malzberg
Darkness-Andre Carneiro (trans. Leo L. Barrow)
On the Wheel-Damon Knight
Miss Omega Raven-Naomi Mitchison
The Poet in the Hologram in the Middle of Prime Time-Ed Bryant
The Old Folks-James E. Gunn
The Steam-driven Boy-John Sladek
I Tell You, It's True-Poul Anderson
And I Have Come Upon This Place by Lost Ways-James Tiptree Jr.
The Ergot Show-Brian Aldiss
Zirn Left Unguarded, the Jenghik Palace in Flames, Jon Westerly Dead-Robert Sheckley
East Wind, West Wind-Frank M. Robinson
The Sumerian Oath-Philip Jose Farmer
Now+n Now-n-Robert Silverberg
Two Odysseys into the Centre-Barry N. Malzberg
Darkness-Andre Carneiro (trans. Leo L. Barrow)
On the Wheel-Damon Knight
Miss Omega Raven-Naomi Mitchison
The Poet in the Hologram in the Middle of Prime Time-Ed Bryant
The Old Folks-James E. Gunn
The Steam-driven Boy-John Sladek
I Tell You, It's True-Poul Anderson
And I Have Come Upon This Place by Lost Ways-James Tiptree Jr.
The Ergot Show-Brian Aldiss
209 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1972
3 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Harry Harrison
1,261 books1,041 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Harry Harrison (born Henry Maxwell Dempsey) was an American science fiction author best known for his character the The Stainless Steel Rat and the novel Make Room! Make Room! (1966), the basis for the film Soylent Green (1973). He was also (with Brian W. Aldiss) co-president of the Birmingham Science Fiction Group.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
Harry Harrison (born Henry Maxwell Dempsey) was an American science fiction author best known for his character the The Stainless Steel Rat and the novel Make Room! Make Room! (1966), the basis for the film Soylent Green (1973). He was also (with Brian W. Aldiss) co-president of the Birmingham Science Fiction Group.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 13, 2020
This is the second volume of Harrison's Nova books, an original anthology series dedicated to showcasing what were known as "New Wave" stories, ones that were experimental in nature or in some way were different from the more traditional genre fare found in the digest magazines of the time. Nova was similar to Robert Silverberg's New Dimensions and Damon Knight's Orbit, and it's interesting that both of those men had nice stories in this book. Other good stories in this volume are by Ed Bryant, Philip Jose Farmer, Barry N. Malzberg, and James Tiptree, Jr. My favorite was Zirn Left Unguarded, the Jenghik Palace in Flames, Jon Westerly Dead by Robert Sheckley, who was second only to Harlan Ellison in unusual story titles.
March 16, 2023
B-/B
Overall I thought this collection was worth checking out and pretty good. Nothing too special but it did turn me on to Avram Davidson and further my interest in Brian W. Aldiss.
Zirn Left Unguarded, The Jenghik Palace in Flames, Jon Westerly Dead by Robert Sheckley - D+/C-
Kaleidoscopic but not in a good way. Not enough details and a bit overstuffed. The only thing that interested me was the part about talking with God’s secretary.
“East Wind, West Wind” by Frank M Robinson B+/A-
An example of cli-fi. I found this piece to be both surprising and surprisingly good. There are some cool details here and there.
The Sumerian Oath by Philip José Farmer - C-/C
Very odd. It’s unclear how the ending relates to the beginning. A lot is not specified. Not sure what was really going on or what this story added up to.
Now+n Now-n by Robert Silverberg - A/A+
One of my favorites from this collection. A fairly simple story idea but the idea is explored fully and really done well. I liked that it features the Middle East as a setting.
Two Odysseys Into the Center by Barry N Malzberg - A/A+
Another of my favorites. Found it cool and interesting. Kinda makes fun of some of the dumber aspects of sci-fi, which I liked. Humorous and strikes the correct tone. Structure and pacing are really cool.
Darkness by André Carneiro B/B+
Probably where Saramago got the idea for Blindness. Interesting and evocative. I enjoyed the ending but living in a world where light never returns could also have been cool. The idea could’ve been more fully explored but still a cool story idea.
On the Wheel by Damon Knight B-/B
Solid if unspectacular. Does seem prescient, and vaguely reminiscent of Book of the New Sun. Jarring how it jumps back and forth between different realities, and not in a good way. Confusing and cutesy.
Miss Omega Raven by Naomi Mitchison - B+/A-
Kinda not sci-fi? More like a nature story, or fantasy. Interesting story idea that surely involved at least some research. Ending is abrupt and inconclusive. Unsure what it adds up to but did enjoy the ride.
The Poet in the Hologram in the Middle of Prime Time by Ed Bryant - B-/B
Short easy read. Some key stuff is left unexplained, like the main character’s motivation for his actions. Cool format and accoutrements, also cool it focuses on a poet in the future. Just pretty good.
The Old Folks by James E Gunn - B/B+
Fairly well done. Kind of Ballardian, with its focus on an insular and strange gated community. Does well with the trope of exploring the dark underbelly of suburbia.
The Steam-Driven Boy by John Sladek C-/C
Only vaguely comedic. So absurd it only makes sense if you don’t really think about it too much. A lot of the story seems kind of random, mostly in a bad way. Reads like it was written in an hour.
I Tell You, It’s True by Poul Anderson - A-/A
The title is very cool and quite fitting. Really cool premise with deft execution of the premise. A bit all over the place in its focus, though.
And I Have Come Upon This Place by Lost Ways by James Tiptree Jr - B/B+
Solid. Too many details and characters in the beginning of the story. Enjoyed reading this but it confused me. Needed more explanation. Has some Star Trek qualities.
The Ergot Show by Brian W Aldiss - B-/B
Solid but unspectacular. Aldiss can do better in my opinion. Leans in on absurdity and arthouse film style. This held my attention but was a bit too abstract.
Overall I thought this collection was worth checking out and pretty good. Nothing too special but it did turn me on to Avram Davidson and further my interest in Brian W. Aldiss.
Zirn Left Unguarded, The Jenghik Palace in Flames, Jon Westerly Dead by Robert Sheckley - D+/C-
Kaleidoscopic but not in a good way. Not enough details and a bit overstuffed. The only thing that interested me was the part about talking with God’s secretary.
“East Wind, West Wind” by Frank M Robinson B+/A-
An example of cli-fi. I found this piece to be both surprising and surprisingly good. There are some cool details here and there.
The Sumerian Oath by Philip José Farmer - C-/C
Very odd. It’s unclear how the ending relates to the beginning. A lot is not specified. Not sure what was really going on or what this story added up to.
Now+n Now-n by Robert Silverberg - A/A+
One of my favorites from this collection. A fairly simple story idea but the idea is explored fully and really done well. I liked that it features the Middle East as a setting.
Two Odysseys Into the Center by Barry N Malzberg - A/A+
Another of my favorites. Found it cool and interesting. Kinda makes fun of some of the dumber aspects of sci-fi, which I liked. Humorous and strikes the correct tone. Structure and pacing are really cool.
Darkness by André Carneiro B/B+
Probably where Saramago got the idea for Blindness. Interesting and evocative. I enjoyed the ending but living in a world where light never returns could also have been cool. The idea could’ve been more fully explored but still a cool story idea.
On the Wheel by Damon Knight B-/B
Solid if unspectacular. Does seem prescient, and vaguely reminiscent of Book of the New Sun. Jarring how it jumps back and forth between different realities, and not in a good way. Confusing and cutesy.
Miss Omega Raven by Naomi Mitchison - B+/A-
Kinda not sci-fi? More like a nature story, or fantasy. Interesting story idea that surely involved at least some research. Ending is abrupt and inconclusive. Unsure what it adds up to but did enjoy the ride.
The Poet in the Hologram in the Middle of Prime Time by Ed Bryant - B-/B
Short easy read. Some key stuff is left unexplained, like the main character’s motivation for his actions. Cool format and accoutrements, also cool it focuses on a poet in the future. Just pretty good.
The Old Folks by James E Gunn - B/B+
Fairly well done. Kind of Ballardian, with its focus on an insular and strange gated community. Does well with the trope of exploring the dark underbelly of suburbia.
The Steam-Driven Boy by John Sladek C-/C
Only vaguely comedic. So absurd it only makes sense if you don’t really think about it too much. A lot of the story seems kind of random, mostly in a bad way. Reads like it was written in an hour.
I Tell You, It’s True by Poul Anderson - A-/A
The title is very cool and quite fitting. Really cool premise with deft execution of the premise. A bit all over the place in its focus, though.
And I Have Come Upon This Place by Lost Ways by James Tiptree Jr - B/B+
Solid. Too many details and characters in the beginning of the story. Enjoyed reading this but it confused me. Needed more explanation. Has some Star Trek qualities.
The Ergot Show by Brian W Aldiss - B-/B
Solid but unspectacular. Aldiss can do better in my opinion. Leans in on absurdity and arthouse film style. This held my attention but was a bit too abstract.
December 15, 2019
In the introduction to this 1972 anthology, Mr. Harrison talks some about the internationalization of science fiction beyond North America and Western Europe. In recognition of this growing trend, he’s included a Brazilian author’s story. “Oh, and we have one story by a woman.” In reality, there are two as James J. Tiptree, Jr.’s identity was still a secret at the time. He also talks a bit about the growing recognition that More Technology might not be the best solution to the problems caused by technology, but promises there is some humor in the anthology as well.
“Zirn Left Unguarded, the Jenghik Palace in Flames, Jon Westerly Dead” by Robert Sheckley is the first of the fourteen stories. It’s a space opera story which ends with the Earth destroyed, none of the usual last minute saves (including calling God) having worked. Grimly humorous.
“The Ergot Show” by Brian W. Aldiss is the final story, a shambolic piece about producers trying to set up the making of a holographic movie. It reads like it was made on inferior drugs, and Aldiss has done much, much better.
Highlights include:
“‘East Wind, West Wind'” by Frank M. Robinson is an eco-catastrophe piece inspired by Los Angeles’ deadly smogs back in the day. (If any of you wonder why California has such strict air quality regulations, check out Wikipedia.) One of the fascinating bits is that it talks about how government will often crack down on the little guy (the protagonist spends the majority of the story trying to track down the last internal combustion automobile still working in L.A.) while letting big corporations who are actually creating most of the problem run free because they can afford to pay fines.
“Darkness” by Andre Carneiro is the Brazilian piece. Something never explained causes light and heat to fade so that no fire or electricity works, and even the sun is extinguished withing the atmosphere of Earth. (Yet somehow the electrical activity in the human body is not affected.) One man and his next door neighbors are lucky enough to hook up with a home for the blind, who are the only ones trained to handle the eternal darkness. They manage to last long enough for the darkness to equally inexplicably end. It’s more magical realism than science fiction, but has some good character work and examination of the effects of darkness on the human psyche.
“I Tell You, It’s True” by Poul Anderson is a chilling tale about the development of a new mind-control technology. It’s fascinating watching the scenario of the well-meaning government starting at “this technology is a devastating secret weapon, which we must use only for the direst emergencies, such as preventing World War Three.” But slipping into, “we could use this to prevent mass violence in our country” and then “let’s micromanage the lives of people on welfare.” And that’s before the technology falls into the wrong hands.
It’s a great story, but does fall into the trap where black people who band together for equal rights are considered equally dangerous as white supremacist groups.
There are also respectable efforts from Phillip Jose Farmer, Damon Knight, and Robert Silverberg, among others.
Overall, the anthology is very much of its time so there’s a whiff of aging, but a strong lineup of authors makes it worth checking out if you can find a copy. Try your library!
“Zirn Left Unguarded, the Jenghik Palace in Flames, Jon Westerly Dead” by Robert Sheckley is the first of the fourteen stories. It’s a space opera story which ends with the Earth destroyed, none of the usual last minute saves (including calling God) having worked. Grimly humorous.
“The Ergot Show” by Brian W. Aldiss is the final story, a shambolic piece about producers trying to set up the making of a holographic movie. It reads like it was made on inferior drugs, and Aldiss has done much, much better.
Highlights include:
“‘East Wind, West Wind'” by Frank M. Robinson is an eco-catastrophe piece inspired by Los Angeles’ deadly smogs back in the day. (If any of you wonder why California has such strict air quality regulations, check out Wikipedia.) One of the fascinating bits is that it talks about how government will often crack down on the little guy (the protagonist spends the majority of the story trying to track down the last internal combustion automobile still working in L.A.) while letting big corporations who are actually creating most of the problem run free because they can afford to pay fines.
“Darkness” by Andre Carneiro is the Brazilian piece. Something never explained causes light and heat to fade so that no fire or electricity works, and even the sun is extinguished withing the atmosphere of Earth. (Yet somehow the electrical activity in the human body is not affected.) One man and his next door neighbors are lucky enough to hook up with a home for the blind, who are the only ones trained to handle the eternal darkness. They manage to last long enough for the darkness to equally inexplicably end. It’s more magical realism than science fiction, but has some good character work and examination of the effects of darkness on the human psyche.
“I Tell You, It’s True” by Poul Anderson is a chilling tale about the development of a new mind-control technology. It’s fascinating watching the scenario of the well-meaning government starting at “this technology is a devastating secret weapon, which we must use only for the direst emergencies, such as preventing World War Three.” But slipping into, “we could use this to prevent mass violence in our country” and then “let’s micromanage the lives of people on welfare.” And that’s before the technology falls into the wrong hands.
It’s a great story, but does fall into the trap where black people who band together for equal rights are considered equally dangerous as white supremacist groups.
There are also respectable efforts from Phillip Jose Farmer, Damon Knight, and Robert Silverberg, among others.
Overall, the anthology is very much of its time so there’s a whiff of aging, but a strong lineup of authors makes it worth checking out if you can find a copy. Try your library!
May 29, 2023
I had to DNF at page 200, the stories honestly just went downhill midway through the collection. Can't rate it too low since there are some gems.
March 24, 2013
Where are my holofilms? I seem to remember holograms were the next tech marvel when i was at school in the seventies. I even have a vague memory of a green hologram in science class. What happen to them? According to Ed Bryant and Brian Aldiss they are common enough in the future. Which i guess is now. Some boring, some good stories in this anthology. The stand outs for me were Darkness by Andre Carneiro and East Wind, West Wind by Frank M Robinson. There is also some Steampunk by John Sladek in The Steam Driven Boy. Not bad. Actually not bad at all.
May 27, 2013
Mixed bag-- Poul Anderson's I Tell You, It's True is a standout exploration of mind control. Most of the stories are worth reading either for the writing or the premise, some of the better ones for both.
October 1, 2014
State-of-the-art science fiction, via an anthology of original stories, circa 1972. Stories that run the gamut from good to lame, significant to slight, fun to inscrutable. Worth reading for fans of the genre, but NOT a 'classic' collection.
June 10, 2009
A decent collection of science fiction stories by established writers in the field read during the winter break from school.
January 7, 2015
There was one story I didn't care for but not because of the story but the format.
August 21, 2016
A collection of tales of variable quality.
pending
April 14, 2017The Puppies surely hate Malzberg's "Two Odysseys into the Centre"
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews