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يوم توقفت اﻷرض
على خلاف تقاليد العديد من روايات الخيال العلمي التي تتناول موضوع الغزو الخارجي من قِبل الكائنات الفضائية.. والتي تظهر دومًا ككائنات شريرة تأتي لتدمر كوكبنا وتحتله.. يقدم الكاتب الأمريكي (هاري بيتس) هنا معالجة مختلفة عن زيارة مخلوق فضائي ذو نزعة خيّرة إلى الأرض.. لكنه يُقابَل بالعنف الذي ينتهي بمقتله على يد البشر.. ليفتح موتُه كلَّ الاحتمالات والمخاوف من تعرُّض الأرض والبشر للانتقام من قِبل الآلي العملاق القادم برفقته أو من كائنات أخرى قد تكون موجودة معه داخل المركبة ستسعى للخروج والثأر لمقتله، لكن ما سيحدث في النهاية سيكون مغايرًا ومختلفًا عن المتوقع.
ــ قصة خيال علمي ليست عن الظواهر الخارقة للطبيعة أو الحروب أو التهديدات الفضائية، بل عن الفضول، سوء التفاهم، الاختلافات الثقافية، حين نصادف يومًا كائنات من عوالم أخرى.
ــ تميل إلى التحذير من عجرفة البشر أكثر من تحذيرها من قوى الغزاة الخارجيين الشريرة.
ــ قُدِّمت مرتين سنيمائيًّا مع تحوير للقصة، ويعدُّ الفيلمُ الأولُ إحدى الروائع الفنية لأفلام الخيال العلمي في خمسينيات القرن العشرين.
ــ قصة خيال علمي ليست عن الظواهر الخارقة للطبيعة أو الحروب أو التهديدات الفضائية، بل عن الفضول، سوء التفاهم، الاختلافات الثقافية، حين نصادف يومًا كائنات من عوالم أخرى.
ــ تميل إلى التحذير من عجرفة البشر أكثر من تحذيرها من قوى الغزاة الخارجيين الشريرة.
ــ قُدِّمت مرتين سنيمائيًّا مع تحوير للقصة، ويعدُّ الفيلمُ الأولُ إحدى الروائع الفنية لأفلام الخيال العلمي في خمسينيات القرن العشرين.
ebook
First published October 1, 1940
About the author
Harry Bates
127 books19 followersHiram Gilmore "Harry" Bates III (October 9, 1900 – September 1981) was an American science fiction editor and writer. His short story "Farewell to the Master" (1940) was the basis of the well-known science fiction movie The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_B...
see also under the following pen-names:
Anthony Gilmore (with D.W. Hall)
A.R. Holmes
H.G. Winter (with D.W. Hall)
Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_B...
see also under the following pen-names:
Anthony Gilmore (with D.W. Hall)
A.R. Holmes
H.G. Winter (with D.W. Hall)
Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
January 4, 2017
I've seen the movie The Day The Earth Stood Still from 2008 and loved the concept. The story had a few problems, to say nothing of Keanu Reeves only having one facial expression, but the basic concept was cool and so were the effects.
Naturally, I wanted to read the story it was all based on.
This short story is completely different however. Granted, we have a man-like thing and a huge robot coming to Earth and stepping out of some sort of ship. Then an overly enthusiastic human shoots the man-like one (Klaatu). But that is where the similarities end.
You see, in the movie (at least the one from 2008 that I saw) Klaatu's body is the copy of a human from 1928 that gets shot but doesn't die. He is interrogated after he recovers somewhat while the Earthlings discover that there wasn't just one sphere (ship) landing but several all over the world (although the others are smaller). The squeres are collecting copies of every species of animals (probably also plants) much like Noah did before the flood. Because men have screwed up the planet and it will no longer be tolerated. What follows then is a wild chase and a scientist's desperate quest in order to convince Klaatu that we deserve another chance (John Cleese is the one giving the best argument).
In the movie of 1951 we get the same basic outline except that humankind is told to either live peacefully or be destroyed. This was of course heavily influenced by the development of atomic warfare and weapons of mass destruction.
Now, in the book Klaatu is shot and dies. Nobody knows what he and his robot came here for. Humans build a tomb for Klaatu's body and a museum to show how sorry they are for what happened. In the museum stands Gnut, the giant robot. Supposedly, Gnut hasn't moved since Klaatu died but a free-lance reporter sneaks in after hours and finds out that the robot moves every night and that strange things are going on. No more shall be revealed plot-wise.
The entire story is a bit ... lengthy? I know, strange word or a short story but that is what it felt like to me. Also, there are sooo many things that don't add up. Sure, it's apparently a story telling us that our assumptions are usually very wrong and that humans in general have too much self-confidence. And then the ending has a bit of a twist. Perhaps a bit obvious for a reader nowadays but we have to keep in mind that this story was published in 1940 (which explains a few descriptions too).
Sadly, while the idea is great, I prefer what they made of it in the movie. There is no real conflict in the short story. The "mystery" is not really important in the end, except for a bit of internal reflection maybe, and even for that it was almost too weak. Too bad.
Nevertheless, it is better than the radio production they made out of it back in the day and since this IS the original ...
Naturally, I wanted to read the story it was all based on.
This short story is completely different however. Granted, we have a man-like thing and a huge robot coming to Earth and stepping out of some sort of ship. Then an overly enthusiastic human shoots the man-like one (Klaatu). But that is where the similarities end.
You see, in the movie (at least the one from 2008 that I saw) Klaatu's body is the copy of a human from 1928 that gets shot but doesn't die. He is interrogated after he recovers somewhat while the Earthlings discover that there wasn't just one sphere (ship) landing but several all over the world (although the others are smaller). The squeres are collecting copies of every species of animals (probably also plants) much like Noah did before the flood. Because men have screwed up the planet and it will no longer be tolerated. What follows then is a wild chase and a scientist's desperate quest in order to convince Klaatu that we deserve another chance (John Cleese is the one giving the best argument).
In the movie of 1951 we get the same basic outline except that humankind is told to either live peacefully or be destroyed. This was of course heavily influenced by the development of atomic warfare and weapons of mass destruction.
Now, in the book Klaatu is shot and dies. Nobody knows what he and his robot came here for. Humans build a tomb for Klaatu's body and a museum to show how sorry they are for what happened. In the museum stands Gnut, the giant robot. Supposedly, Gnut hasn't moved since Klaatu died but a free-lance reporter sneaks in after hours and finds out that the robot moves every night and that strange things are going on. No more shall be revealed plot-wise.
The entire story is a bit ... lengthy? I know, strange word or a short story but that is what it felt like to me. Also, there are sooo many things that don't add up. Sure, it's apparently a story telling us that our assumptions are usually very wrong and that humans in general have too much self-confidence. And then the ending has a bit of a twist. Perhaps a bit obvious for a reader nowadays but we have to keep in mind that this story was published in 1940 (which explains a few descriptions too).
Sadly, while the idea is great, I prefer what they made of it in the movie. There is no real conflict in the short story. The "mystery" is not really important in the end, except for a bit of internal reflection maybe, and even for that it was almost too weak. Too bad.
Nevertheless, it is better than the radio production they made out of it back in the day and since this IS the original ...
May 31, 2018
I liked the original story much, much better than the hollywood productions. That includes the radio drama, or EITHER of the movies.
What can I say? I'm a throwback. I like the originals. Sparse little stories that house big ideas that capture so many imaginations later until they're driven deep in the ground only to sprout up as little jokey comments or tropes EVERYONE KNOWS.
But, me? I like to see where it starts. I wanted to know where The Day The Earth Stood Still came from.
And I thought it was pretty okay. :)
Not exactly first contact, a bit of mystery, a bit of suspense, ending on a note of hope.
I likey. Kinda minimalist. Quite focused.
That being said, it's never going to be my favorite story of any time. 1940 or no. :)
What can I say? I'm a throwback. I like the originals. Sparse little stories that house big ideas that capture so many imaginations later until they're driven deep in the ground only to sprout up as little jokey comments or tropes EVERYONE KNOWS.
But, me? I like to see where it starts. I wanted to know where The Day The Earth Stood Still came from.
And I thought it was pretty okay. :)
Not exactly first contact, a bit of mystery, a bit of suspense, ending on a note of hope.
I likey. Kinda minimalist. Quite focused.
That being said, it's never going to be my favorite story of any time. 1940 or no. :)
May 31, 2018
This is the 1941's radio production of the story and apart from a very revealing look at the ads of the time, this is also ... not the same story as what Harry Bates actually wrote.
I was shocked while listening to this - and not because of the toilet soap and other stuff they tried selling me.
In this version, two aliens come to Earth. One is a robot, the other one looks human and decides to meet the locals after not getting to meet with the world's leaders. He has some encounters with a boy and his mother, as is the same in all versions of this story, and then gives Earth its only warning.
The production scale is quite astonishing. Or maybe not, if one considers that there was no TV back in the day so families gathered around the radio to listen to such productions.
However, I never like or condone when a story is twisted too much for whatever reason. This is NOT Bates' story as it has practically nothing in common with the original and it's a shame, no matter if you liked the original story or not. I don't care why they changed it - if they want to perform this story, fine, but under a different title.
I was shocked while listening to this - and not because of the toilet soap and other stuff they tried selling me.
In this version, two aliens come to Earth. One is a robot, the other one looks human and decides to meet the locals after not getting to meet with the world's leaders. He has some encounters with a boy and his mother, as is the same in all versions of this story, and then gives Earth its only warning.
The production scale is quite astonishing. Or maybe not, if one considers that there was no TV back in the day so families gathered around the radio to listen to such productions.
However, I never like or condone when a story is twisted too much for whatever reason. This is NOT Bates' story as it has practically nothing in common with the original and it's a shame, no matter if you liked the original story or not. I don't care why they changed it - if they want to perform this story, fine, but under a different title.
March 10, 2012
ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature.
Farewell to the Master is the short story that forms the premise of the popular 1951 (remade in 2008) science fiction movie The Day the Earth Stood Still, in which an alien and his robot visit Earth to warn humans that their atomic weapons and violent tendencies will not be tolerated by the rest of the galaxy. Earth can get in line with peaceful galactic ideology, or be destroyed.
Not surprisingly, Bates’ story, which was published before atomic weapons were developed, is hardly like the movie. Yes, there’s a humanoid alien and his robot who appear in Washington D.C. in a spaceship. Yes, a violent human being shoots the alien. But from there the stories diverge. There’s no threat of Earth’s destruction and Harry Bates never penned the famous phrase from the movie: “Klaatu barada nikto.” While the movie and the original story have different messages for humans, both are meant to knock us off the pedestal we’ve placed ourselves on.
In Farewell to the Master, a photojournalist realizes that the robot is more than he appears and that there is some secret activity going on in the spaceship. He is determined to get photographic evidence and sell it to the highest bidder. The resulting story is exciting, suspenseful and, of course, short. Here in 2012, the famous “ironic” twist at the end isn’t too surprising, but it probably was in 1940.
Blackstone Audio has just released Farewell to the Master on audio. Tom Weiner gives his usual enthusiastic performance – I am always happy to see his name on an audiobook. I’m also pleased that Blackstone Audio has been producing old SF lately and I can hardly keep up with all of it. I have just one complaint about this production. Right now the CD version of this book is available at Blackstone Audio or Amazon for $20 which I think is overpriced considering that the story is only 1½ hours long and you can read it for free online (it’s in the public domain) or for 99¢ on Kindle. However, the Audible download version is available at Audible for less than $5, which is completely reasonable — I can recommend this version if you download from Audible. Just make sure you’re purchasing the one narrated by Tom Weiner and produced by Blackstone Audio. I have tried a sample of the other audiobook version of this story and I much prefer Tom Weiner’s narration.
Farewell to the Master is the short story that forms the premise of the popular 1951 (remade in 2008) science fiction movie The Day the Earth Stood Still, in which an alien and his robot visit Earth to warn humans that their atomic weapons and violent tendencies will not be tolerated by the rest of the galaxy. Earth can get in line with peaceful galactic ideology, or be destroyed.
Not surprisingly, Bates’ story, which was published before atomic weapons were developed, is hardly like the movie. Yes, there’s a humanoid alien and his robot who appear in Washington D.C. in a spaceship. Yes, a violent human being shoots the alien. But from there the stories diverge. There’s no threat of Earth’s destruction and Harry Bates never penned the famous phrase from the movie: “Klaatu barada nikto.” While the movie and the original story have different messages for humans, both are meant to knock us off the pedestal we’ve placed ourselves on.
In Farewell to the Master, a photojournalist realizes that the robot is more than he appears and that there is some secret activity going on in the spaceship. He is determined to get photographic evidence and sell it to the highest bidder. The resulting story is exciting, suspenseful and, of course, short. Here in 2012, the famous “ironic” twist at the end isn’t too surprising, but it probably was in 1940.
Blackstone Audio has just released Farewell to the Master on audio. Tom Weiner gives his usual enthusiastic performance – I am always happy to see his name on an audiobook. I’m also pleased that Blackstone Audio has been producing old SF lately and I can hardly keep up with all of it. I have just one complaint about this production. Right now the CD version of this book is available at Blackstone Audio or Amazon for $20 which I think is overpriced considering that the story is only 1½ hours long and you can read it for free online (it’s in the public domain) or for 99¢ on Kindle. However, the Audible download version is available at Audible for less than $5, which is completely reasonable — I can recommend this version if you download from Audible. Just make sure you’re purchasing the one narrated by Tom Weiner and produced by Blackstone Audio. I have tried a sample of the other audiobook version of this story and I much prefer Tom Weiner’s narration.
April 3, 2025
I first read this memorable story in an old Astounding Science-Fiction Magazine I found at a flea market.
It was written by Harry Bates in 1940.
The classic movie, The Day the Earth Stood Still was loosely based on the story.
GNUT is the Robots name in the book. Very scary fellow.
Nobody says "Klaatu Barrada Nicto" in the book.
The twist that is also alluded to in the movie is the Robots are the masters.
It was written by Harry Bates in 1940.
The classic movie, The Day the Earth Stood Still was loosely based on the story.
GNUT is the Robots name in the book. Very scary fellow.
Nobody says "Klaatu Barrada Nicto" in the book.
The twist that is also alluded to in the movie is the Robots are the masters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2021
โอ้โห สนุกเฉย
ลืมภาคหนังทั้ง 2 เวอร์ชั่น (1951/2008) ที่เคยทำออกมาเลยนะครับ ไม่มีอะไรเหมือนนิยายเลย หนังเพียงเอาองค์ประกอบจากนิยายไปสร้างเท่านั้น เพราะตัวนิยายเองมันมีองค์ประกอบที่ผู้สร้างสามารถเติมอะไรลงไปก็ได้ ก็มีความลงตัวเหมือนกันหมด กลายเป็นว่าหนังที่สร้างออกมาจึงมีวัตถุประสงค์บางอย่างที่พยายามจะสื่อสารกับคนดูเพื่อให้ตระหนักถึงปัญหาของโลกในช่วงเวลานั้น (ถ้าเคยดูหนังจะเกทเลยครับ) ผ่านเจ้ามนุษย์ต่างดาวตัวยักษ์ กร็อท และ พ่อหนุ่มหน้ามน คลาธู
ตัวนิยายจริงๆเป็น Scifi / Thriller ที่นำเอาความขี้เผือกของคนเรามาเป็นปัจจัยในการดำเนินเรื่อง คือมันก็น่าสงสัยกระตุ้นต่อมเผือกให้ทำงานจริงๆนั่นแหละครับ ลองคิดดู อยู่มาวันนึงมายานอวกาศโผล่มาบนโลก มีมนุษย์ต่างดาวตัวยักษ์เดินออกมาพร้อมกับมนุษย์ต่างดาวอีกตัวที่หน้าตาเหมือนมนุษย์เด๊ะๆ มาถึงก็ไม่ทำอะไรเลย มาทักทาย แล้วมายืนเฉยๆอย่างงั้นไม่ไปไหน มาแบบนี้ทุกคนสงสัยแน่นอนครับว่า พี่แกมาทำไม มาดีหรือร้าย ต้องการอะไร คือพี่ไม่บอกอะไรเลยอะครับ ปล่อยให้มนุษย์ตัวกะจ้อยมาหาคำตอบเอาเอง
พอคำตอบถูกเฉลยออกมาในตอนจบ กลับยิ่งเพิ่มความลึกลับให้กับคำถามเดิมมากเข้าไปอีก เออเฮ้ย ผมชอบอะไรแบบนี้นะ เพราะบางทีคำตอบมันไม่จำเป็นต้อง”ตอบ”จริงๆก็ได้นี่นา มันอาจเป็นเพียงประตูเพื่อไปยังคำถามต่อไปก็ได้นี่ครับ
ลืมภาคหนังทั้ง 2 เวอร์ชั่น (1951/2008) ที่เคยทำออกมาเลยนะครับ ไม่มีอะไรเหมือนนิยายเลย หนังเพียงเอาองค์ประกอบจากนิยายไปสร้างเท่านั้น เพราะตัวนิยายเองมันมีองค์ประกอบที่ผู้สร้างสามารถเติมอะไรลงไปก็ได้ ก็มีความลงตัวเหมือนกันหมด กลายเป็นว่าหนังที่สร้างออกมาจึงมีวัตถุประสงค์บางอย่างที่พยายามจะสื่อสารกับคนดูเพื่อให้ตระหนักถึงปัญหาของโลกในช่วงเวลานั้น (ถ้าเคยดูหนังจะเกทเลยครับ) ผ่านเจ้ามนุษย์ต่างดาวตัวยักษ์ กร็อท และ พ่อหนุ่มหน้ามน คลาธู
ตัวนิยายจริงๆเป็น Scifi / Thriller ที่นำเอาความขี้เผือกของคนเรามาเป็นปัจจัยในการดำเนินเรื่อง คือมันก็น่าสงสัยกระตุ้นต่อมเผือกให้ทำงานจริงๆนั่นแหละครับ ลองคิดดู อยู่มาวันนึงมายานอวกาศโผล่มาบนโลก มีมนุษย์ต่างดาวตัวยักษ์เดินออกมาพร้อมกับมนุษย์ต่างดาวอีกตัวที่หน้าตาเหมือนมนุษย์เด๊ะๆ มาถึงก็ไม่ทำอะไรเลย มาทักทาย แล้วมายืนเฉยๆอย่างงั้นไม่ไปไหน มาแบบนี้ทุกคนสงสัยแน่นอนครับว่า พี่แกมาทำไม มาดีหรือร้าย ต้องการอะไร คือพี่ไม่บอกอะไรเลยอะครับ ปล่อยให้มนุษย์ตัวกะจ้อยมาหาคำตอบเอาเอง
พอคำตอบถูกเฉลยออกมาในตอนจบ กลับยิ่งเพิ่มความลึกลับให้กับคำถามเดิมมากเข้าไปอีก เออเฮ้ย ผมชอบอะไรแบบนี้นะ เพราะบางทีคำตอบมันไม่จำเป็นต้อง”ตอบ”จริงๆก็ได้นี่นา มันอาจเป็นเพียงประตูเพื่อไปยังคำถามต่อไปก็ได้นี่ครับ
December 21, 2018
The wonderful 1951 film The Day the Earth Stood Still was based on this short story. The film is completely different from the book, and much, much better. This was a bore.
March 3, 2018
No doubt anyone looking at this book knows that this story by Harry Bates is the inspiration for the classic movie, “The Day the Earth Stood Still.” Dennis Herrick published the story here, in reprint, as a labor of love. He is a collector of “first contact” science fiction, providing here as an appendix a list of more than 200 other “first contact” stories and books.
“Farewell to the Master” was originally published in 1940, in Astounding magazine. The story itself is now overshadowed by the movie, but the story is entertaining in its own right. The movie departs significantly from the story, especially the story’s ending (which I won’t give away). The movie runs in the present tense, with Klaatu arriving, the unfortunate attack on him, his escape, and his return to deliver his message, all under the protection of the robot Gort.
The story is very different. It begins after Klaatu has been shot, killed, and buried in a mausoleum in Washington’s Tidal Basin. The robot Gnut (renamed for the movie) stands watch over Klaatu’s ship, housed in a museum that has been built around it. Researchers work to understand the ship, and Gnut. The ship itself is referred to as a “time-space” ship — its arrival was not, as in the movie, a landing but a sudden appearance, as if transported instantly through time and space rather than through spaceflight.
Cliff Sutherland is the central character of the story, a reporter who observes and studies Gnut. Gnut, as the story starts, stands a steady, unmoving, unreacting vigil over the ship. Sutherland hides in the museum overnight to watch Gnut, to see if there is any life or movement to him at all.
Many pieces of the movie — the escape of Klaatu, his brief life as “Mr. Carpenter”, the roles of Helen Benson and her son, her fiance Tom Stevens, Professor Barnhardt, even the demonstration by Klaatu — are not in the story itself. The story is more enigmatic, more surprising and mysterious.
To say more than I have about the plot would be to give away too much. It’s a fast, easy, fun read — bringing back from the past the flavor of science fiction well before we first reached space in the fifties and sixties. Mainly though, it’s worth reading out of curiosity — just to see what inspired the classic movie.
“Farewell to the Master” was originally published in 1940, in Astounding magazine. The story itself is now overshadowed by the movie, but the story is entertaining in its own right. The movie departs significantly from the story, especially the story’s ending (which I won’t give away). The movie runs in the present tense, with Klaatu arriving, the unfortunate attack on him, his escape, and his return to deliver his message, all under the protection of the robot Gort.
The story is very different. It begins after Klaatu has been shot, killed, and buried in a mausoleum in Washington’s Tidal Basin. The robot Gnut (renamed for the movie) stands watch over Klaatu’s ship, housed in a museum that has been built around it. Researchers work to understand the ship, and Gnut. The ship itself is referred to as a “time-space” ship — its arrival was not, as in the movie, a landing but a sudden appearance, as if transported instantly through time and space rather than through spaceflight.
Cliff Sutherland is the central character of the story, a reporter who observes and studies Gnut. Gnut, as the story starts, stands a steady, unmoving, unreacting vigil over the ship. Sutherland hides in the museum overnight to watch Gnut, to see if there is any life or movement to him at all.
Many pieces of the movie — the escape of Klaatu, his brief life as “Mr. Carpenter”, the roles of Helen Benson and her son, her fiance Tom Stevens, Professor Barnhardt, even the demonstration by Klaatu — are not in the story itself. The story is more enigmatic, more surprising and mysterious.
To say more than I have about the plot would be to give away too much. It’s a fast, easy, fun read — bringing back from the past the flavor of science fiction well before we first reached space in the fifties and sixties. Mainly though, it’s worth reading out of curiosity — just to see what inspired the classic movie.
November 30, 2013
A very compelling read which was the basis for Edward H. North's screenplay for "The Day The Earth Stood Still" (1951).
January 31, 2011
The interest in reading this story because it spawned one of the greatest sci fi movies of all time (and no I don't mean the Keanu Reeves one)is probably much higher than the success of the story itself. It suffers from being a view of the future from the past and some of the predictions have gone in different directions or produced technology that would have made for a different story.
That said, it's not too long to strain patience and like all good shorter stories the final line has the sting in the tail.
That said, it's not too long to strain patience and like all good shorter stories the final line has the sting in the tail.
January 20, 2016
This is the novelette that inspired the brilliant film The Day the Earth Stood Still, and it's solid vintage science fiction that stands up to time. Very much worth reading.
October 30, 2022
A classic in the genre that is thought provoking. Like other works by the author this is a short story that leaves the reader wanting more.
wish-list
April 1, 2025Ironic and bitter story of a "diplomatic incident" to the detriment of two visitors who come to Earth from unknown space. The novel was adapted into the famous film by Robert Wise "The Day the Earth Stood Still".
February 26, 2026
~3.0~
read for my literature and film class
read for my literature and film class
April 8, 2025
My eyes were so wide at the last line.
July 22, 2023
قصة خيال علمي غريبة تركز على الأحداث والتفاصيل دون الحبكة الأم والتي تنير شيئا منها في الصحيفة الأخيرة .. اسلوب جذاب وأحداث تظهر عادية باديء الأمر .
September 20, 2020
3.5 / 5
Farewell to the Master is a short science fiction story by Harry Bates. A huge robot and a strange human appear on Earth on a surprise visit in a spaceship. In the first paragraphs the human gets accidentally killed and the robot apparently stops working and remains immobile from then.
Along the story, we follow the plot through the eyes and perspective of Cliff, a photographer who happens to discover something interesting and exciting about the robot. It is a very interesting premise and Bates leads us through the story in constant anticipation and excitement. I liked his writing very much. I particularly enjoyed how Bates gives small ordinary details about everyday things and feelings while avoiding becoming overly verbose. This helps keep the reader focused, interested and wanting to turn pages.
I found 2 main problems with this short story though. The first is the science which is all over the place. Of course, considering the story's original date of publication, it is expected that a lot of things don't make sense nowadays and unfortunately I can admit that it hasn't aged well. But even that, can't excuse some crazy scientific facts that would obviously be considered a bit dubious even then.
The second problem is the ending. I will of course not spoil it at all. I will just comment on two facts. One is that it is very sudden and abrupt. Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn't. In this case I think it doesn't work so well. The other, is that the ending feels as if was meant to be deeper and more philosophical, to elicit wonderment and questions and make the readers think about... what exactly I don't know! That's what was completely lost on me. Is there really anything deeper there or just a last moment plot-twist just because... "why not"?
But in summary, it's a very nice and interesting story. Since it can be read in an afternoon and can probably be found for free on the internet somewhere, I don't see any reason why not to recommend it. I personally enjoyed it a bit more than the 3 stars of my rating show.
3.5 / 5
Farewell to the Master is a short science fiction story by Harry Bates. A huge robot and a strange human appear on Earth on a surprise visit in a spaceship. In the first paragraphs the human gets accidentally killed and the robot apparently stops working and remains immobile from then.
Along the story, we follow the plot through the eyes and perspective of Cliff, a photographer who happens to discover something interesting and exciting about the robot. It is a very interesting premise and Bates leads us through the story in constant anticipation and excitement. I liked his writing very much. I particularly enjoyed how Bates gives small ordinary details about everyday things and feelings while avoiding becoming overly verbose. This helps keep the reader focused, interested and wanting to turn pages.
I found 2 main problems with this short story though. The first is the science which is all over the place. Of course, considering the story's original date of publication, it is expected that a lot of things don't make sense nowadays and unfortunately I can admit that it hasn't aged well. But even that, can't excuse some crazy scientific facts that would obviously be considered a bit dubious even then.
The second problem is the ending. I will of course not spoil it at all. I will just comment on two facts. One is that it is very sudden and abrupt. Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn't. In this case I think it doesn't work so well. The other, is that the ending feels as if was meant to be deeper and more philosophical, to elicit wonderment and questions and make the readers think about... what exactly I don't know! That's what was completely lost on me. Is there really anything deeper there or just a last moment plot-twist just because... "why not"?
But in summary, it's a very nice and interesting story. Since it can be read in an afternoon and can probably be found for free on the internet somewhere, I don't see any reason why not to recommend it. I personally enjoyed it a bit more than the 3 stars of my rating show.
3.5 / 5
March 1, 2026
Farewell to the Master
1 Sentence Summary: A photojournalist witnesses an alien named Klaatu and his powerful robot Gnut arrive on Earth, only for Klaatu to be immediately killed, leading the reporter to discover a twist regarding who is actually in control.
My Rating: 4 stars
My Thoughts: This was a reading for my “Literature + Film” class, and I actually loved it! It was a short read, and compared to the other science fiction we’ve read for this class, this one is by far my favorite. The story was interesting and easy to follow, and the ending was awesome!
Recommend to: fans of short sci-fi stories
(Warnings: injury & death, etc.)
1 Sentence Summary: A photojournalist witnesses an alien named Klaatu and his powerful robot Gnut arrive on Earth, only for Klaatu to be immediately killed, leading the reporter to discover a twist regarding who is actually in control.
My Rating: 4 stars
My Thoughts: This was a reading for my “Literature + Film” class, and I actually loved it! It was a short read, and compared to the other science fiction we’ve read for this class, this one is by far my favorite. The story was interesting and easy to follow, and the ending was awesome!
Recommend to: fans of short sci-fi stories
(Warnings: injury & death, etc.)
May 20, 2020
I have not seen either of the The Day The Earth Stood Still films, and had no idea they were based on this story. Reading their plotlines I'm disappointed; they seem to have completely missed the point of the story, particularly the 2008 version. This was such a great story with a lot of potential to be fleshed out into a wider story "world". I'll be thinking about this one for a long time yet.
July 14, 2025
I found this short story highly entertaining I would have read a whole book about this!
I’ve only seen the movie with Keanu Reeves and that deviates from the original plot significantly. I think the text only really works as a text, it’s translation to film needs adaptation for mass interest.
The twist at the end was good.
I’ve only seen the movie with Keanu Reeves and that deviates from the original plot significantly. I think the text only really works as a text, it’s translation to film needs adaptation for mass interest.
The twist at the end was good.
January 17, 2020
Interesting listening to the story that inspired such a great sci-fi classic movie, but it doesn't hold up well on its own.
January 14, 2021
This book was the basis for The Day the Earth Stood Still. It tells a much smaller version of that story that focuses on one photographer and his interactions with Gnut. A good short story.
May 11, 2026
not even surprised the Americans killed Klatuu like of course they did
June 25, 2020
The following review was originally published in the online newspaper The Orkney News in June 2020. Link here. https://theorkneynews.scot/2020/06/30...
Farewell To The Master by Harry Bates
Hello again to all of my readers! I hope you are all well and now I shall explain today’s review. I’m sure that many of you have heard of or watched The Day The Earth Stood Still. Be it the classic 1950s version or the – much inferior – 2008 remake. Farewell To The Master by the (sadly lost to history) Harry Bates was the original short story from 1940 which proved the inspiration for the famous film. As such this review is going to be very similar to my review for Frozen Hell by John W. Campbell Jr.
Harry Bates is a figure which although he is not well remembered had quite the impact on the history of science fiction. He acted as the founding editor of Astounding Stories of Super Science which later became better known as simply Astounding Stories and was eventually edited by John W. Campbell Jr. For information on his tenure see my discussion of Frozen Hell. Bates often had his authors focus on exciting action with short bursts of plausible science when relevant. Bates himself did write a number of stories while acting as editor however there is no record of any published stories by Bates under any name after 1952. He eventually died in 1981 mostly forgotten.
Farewell To The Master is a story from 1940 which despite inspiring the 1951 classic is very different from its more well known children. The plot is as follows: A space-time ship suddenly appears in Washington D.C. unexpectedly. A large crowd gathers and waits for signs of any occupants. Eventually an humanoid looking alien leaves the ship known as Klaatu alongside a robotic thing known as Gnut. Klaatu is assassinated and to prove their sincere sorrow over the event a partial museum of the event of first contact and mausoleum for the remains of Klaatu is built. A journalist known as Cliff Sutherland becomes suspicious and believes that Gnut – who supposedly has not moved since the death of Klaatu – is secretly moving at night but I won’t give away any more of the story except to say that the famous ‘Klaatu barada nikto’ was an invention of the 1951 film.
I found Farewell to be an intriguing relisten. Cliff Sutherland proves to be an interesting character with slowly progressing intentions and motivations throughout the course of the short story while Gnut proves to be something of a puzzle. At least at first. Bates’s writing is enjoyable with enough going on to entertain the reader or listener and if you enjoy hearing the original versions of certain now world famous or ubiquitous stories I certainly recommend it.
The narration in the version which I experienced came from a Tom Weiner who I found a very good and enjoyable narrator. His various voices certainly seemed to capture the spirit of the 1940s and 1950s science fiction in which the story was created. In some ways it was similar to the narration done for The Luna Missile Crisis. Weiner also narrates a introductory miniature biography and history of Harry Bates and his involvement with the science fiction genre which also discusses some clear differences with The Day The Earth Stood Still.
On the other hand, despite enjoying Farewell to the Master, I would personally say that the 1951 Day is the superior experience. They tell different stories and have different messages so as a result you can certainly experience both and get a different result but Farewell (and I feel somewhat guilty saying this) simply feels more dated. It’s one of those rare examples where I find it difficult to define what ‘bothers’ me about a story (and in this case Farewell comparatively.)
As a result this is a story which I personally enjoy and has an intriguing ending but I wouldn’t recommend seeking out unless you are a big fan of classic science fiction or you consider The Day The Earth Stood Still as one of your personal favourite films. Otherwise the specific version I listened to is a three out of five story being elevated to four out of five by rather well done narration by Weiner and the mini biography prior to the story itself.
Hopefully you will all hear from me soon.
Sayonara!
Nephrite.
Farewell To The Master by Harry Bates
Hello again to all of my readers! I hope you are all well and now I shall explain today’s review. I’m sure that many of you have heard of or watched The Day The Earth Stood Still. Be it the classic 1950s version or the – much inferior – 2008 remake. Farewell To The Master by the (sadly lost to history) Harry Bates was the original short story from 1940 which proved the inspiration for the famous film. As such this review is going to be very similar to my review for Frozen Hell by John W. Campbell Jr.
Harry Bates is a figure which although he is not well remembered had quite the impact on the history of science fiction. He acted as the founding editor of Astounding Stories of Super Science which later became better known as simply Astounding Stories and was eventually edited by John W. Campbell Jr. For information on his tenure see my discussion of Frozen Hell. Bates often had his authors focus on exciting action with short bursts of plausible science when relevant. Bates himself did write a number of stories while acting as editor however there is no record of any published stories by Bates under any name after 1952. He eventually died in 1981 mostly forgotten.
Farewell To The Master is a story from 1940 which despite inspiring the 1951 classic is very different from its more well known children. The plot is as follows: A space-time ship suddenly appears in Washington D.C. unexpectedly. A large crowd gathers and waits for signs of any occupants. Eventually an humanoid looking alien leaves the ship known as Klaatu alongside a robotic thing known as Gnut. Klaatu is assassinated and to prove their sincere sorrow over the event a partial museum of the event of first contact and mausoleum for the remains of Klaatu is built. A journalist known as Cliff Sutherland becomes suspicious and believes that Gnut – who supposedly has not moved since the death of Klaatu – is secretly moving at night but I won’t give away any more of the story except to say that the famous ‘Klaatu barada nikto’ was an invention of the 1951 film.
I found Farewell to be an intriguing relisten. Cliff Sutherland proves to be an interesting character with slowly progressing intentions and motivations throughout the course of the short story while Gnut proves to be something of a puzzle. At least at first. Bates’s writing is enjoyable with enough going on to entertain the reader or listener and if you enjoy hearing the original versions of certain now world famous or ubiquitous stories I certainly recommend it.
The narration in the version which I experienced came from a Tom Weiner who I found a very good and enjoyable narrator. His various voices certainly seemed to capture the spirit of the 1940s and 1950s science fiction in which the story was created. In some ways it was similar to the narration done for The Luna Missile Crisis. Weiner also narrates a introductory miniature biography and history of Harry Bates and his involvement with the science fiction genre which also discusses some clear differences with The Day The Earth Stood Still.
On the other hand, despite enjoying Farewell to the Master, I would personally say that the 1951 Day is the superior experience. They tell different stories and have different messages so as a result you can certainly experience both and get a different result but Farewell (and I feel somewhat guilty saying this) simply feels more dated. It’s one of those rare examples where I find it difficult to define what ‘bothers’ me about a story (and in this case Farewell comparatively.)
As a result this is a story which I personally enjoy and has an intriguing ending but I wouldn’t recommend seeking out unless you are a big fan of classic science fiction or you consider The Day The Earth Stood Still as one of your personal favourite films. Otherwise the specific version I listened to is a three out of five story being elevated to four out of five by rather well done narration by Weiner and the mini biography prior to the story itself.
Hopefully you will all hear from me soon.
Sayonara!
Nephrite.
July 13, 2023
Farewell to the Master is a thought-provoking novella about visitors from space, Klaatu and Gnut, who come to earth with peace in mind but are attacked out of fear.
I liked how the writing flowed easily from sci-fi to thrilling suspense and mystery when Cliff Sutherland, a picture reporter, stayed in the museum a couple of nights to cover what he believed to be a sensational story "that would set the world on its ears."
Movie adaptations:
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
I love Michael Rennie as Klaatu. In the original story Klaatu is described as having a face that "radiated kindness, wisdom, the purest nobility" and I feel like Rennie's portrayal perfectly captures that part of him.
As for the movie's storyline, it differs quite a bit from the novella such as Klaatu arrives with not just a message of peace but also a warning of destruction if Earth's people should extend their violence to other planets. But I think that the creative changes are what make the movie such an essential sci-fi classic.
The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)
This movie is a remake of the 1951 adaptation, with its own creative changes, so it doesn't have much in common with the novella's storyline either. However, I like it because of my forever crush, Keanu Reeves, who plays a more aloof and enigmatic Klaatu.
I liked how the writing flowed easily from sci-fi to thrilling suspense and mystery when Cliff Sutherland, a picture reporter, stayed in the museum a couple of nights to cover what he believed to be a sensational story "that would set the world on its ears."
Movie adaptations:
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
I love Michael Rennie as Klaatu. In the original story Klaatu is described as having a face that "radiated kindness, wisdom, the purest nobility" and I feel like Rennie's portrayal perfectly captures that part of him.
As for the movie's storyline, it differs quite a bit from the novella such as Klaatu arrives with not just a message of peace but also a warning of destruction if Earth's people should extend their violence to other planets. But I think that the creative changes are what make the movie such an essential sci-fi classic.
The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)
This movie is a remake of the 1951 adaptation, with its own creative changes, so it doesn't have much in common with the novella's storyline either. However, I like it because of my forever crush, Keanu Reeves, who plays a more aloof and enigmatic Klaatu.
February 13, 2026
Book review:
The Day the Earth Stood Still and Other Classic SF Novellas (2005) By Harry Bates
"The Day the Earth Stood Still (Farewell to the Master)" ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Bates has a sharp eye and a an effortless economy of style. Of the three novellas in this collection, "Farewell to the Master" is the best. Bates finds just the right angle of distance and just the right amount of revelation to achieve sublime effects. Very different in plot from the Robert Wise film and well worth reading.
"Alas, All Thinking" ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
A butter-fingered scientist reports his time travel adventures in the future, which appear to have finished-off the lotus-eating remainder of the human race: a remnant handful of hydrocephalic imbeciles. Bates works hard in this story, told—like Wells' "The Time Machine"—entirely through dialogue.
"A Matter of Size" ⭐
This is the weakest story in the collection. It is also the most exhausting for the reader: one damned thing after another, and no end in sight.
https://substack.com/profile/11328384...
The Day the Earth Stood Still and Other Classic SF Novellas (2005) By Harry Bates
"The Day the Earth Stood Still (Farewell to the Master)" ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Bates has a sharp eye and a an effortless economy of style. Of the three novellas in this collection, "Farewell to the Master" is the best. Bates finds just the right angle of distance and just the right amount of revelation to achieve sublime effects. Very different in plot from the Robert Wise film and well worth reading.
"Alas, All Thinking" ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
A butter-fingered scientist reports his time travel adventures in the future, which appear to have finished-off the lotus-eating remainder of the human race: a remnant handful of hydrocephalic imbeciles. Bates works hard in this story, told—like Wells' "The Time Machine"—entirely through dialogue.
"A Matter of Size" ⭐
This is the weakest story in the collection. It is also the most exhausting for the reader: one damned thing after another, and no end in sight.
https://substack.com/profile/11328384...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2026
Firstly, do not compare this short story with the 1950's movie The Day the Earth Stood Still.
Master has a person named Klatu and a tall robot who is encased in a block of super strong substance. Those two are the only things in the short story that's also in the movie. The only things.
Keep in mind that Farewell to the Master was first published in Astounding Science Fiction, a magazine where readers expected short Twilight Zone type episodes and not 300 paged books. So Farewell to the Master has an an entirely different plot than The Day the Earth Stood Still.. Nevertheless, I am rating Farewell to the Master highly because it's a compelling mystery.
Recommended.
Master has a person named Klatu and a tall robot who is encased in a block of super strong substance. Those two are the only things in the short story that's also in the movie. The only things.
Keep in mind that Farewell to the Master was first published in Astounding Science Fiction, a magazine where readers expected short Twilight Zone type episodes and not 300 paged books. So Farewell to the Master has an an entirely different plot than The Day the Earth Stood Still.. Nevertheless, I am rating Farewell to the Master highly because it's a compelling mystery.
Recommended.
April 13, 2021
This is a fascinating short story. I recently watched the two films “The Day The Earth Stood Still” from 1951 and 2008 which were based on this story. In actuality the short story is very different with Klaatu being a more minor character and Gnut taking centre stage. Even the point of our self-absorption was not taken from the book into the films but entirely missed.
January 23, 2017
Quote:
"I know," he said feebly, "I know. We have so much to ask each other. About your civilization... and Gnut's.".
"And yours," said Cliff.
"And Gnut's," said the gentle voice again. "Perhaps... someday... perhaps I will be back."
February 12, 2021
Surprisingly for a short story which inspired a well known movie and other stuff, there was very little to this story beyond a slight plot twist in the last line. Not very good, very underwhelming. Not all classic sci-fi is worthy of the title.
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