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Voice from the Curious Cube, The
A short story by Nelson S. Bond
3 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 1937
3 people want to read
About the author
Nelson S. Bond
231 books9 followersNelson Slade Bond was a writer, primarily of short stories, antiquarian bookseller, and playwright. His works included books, magazine articles, and scripts used in radio, for television and on the stage.
The 1998 recipient of the Nebula Author Emeritus award for lifetime achievement, Bond was a pioneer in early science fiction and fantasy. His published fiction is mainly short stories, most of which appeared in pulp magazines in the 1930s and 1940s. Many were published in Blue Book magazine, though Bond largely retired from fiction writing after the 1950s. He is noted for his "Lancelot Biggs" series of stories and for his "Meg the Priestess" tales, which introduced one of the first powerful female characters in science fiction.
The 1998 recipient of the Nebula Author Emeritus award for lifetime achievement, Bond was a pioneer in early science fiction and fantasy. His published fiction is mainly short stories, most of which appeared in pulp magazines in the 1930s and 1940s. Many were published in Blue Book magazine, though Bond largely retired from fiction writing after the 1950s. He is noted for his "Lancelot Biggs" series of stories and for his "Meg the Priestess" tales, which introduced one of the first powerful female characters in science fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 21, 2020
3.8 stars
This SF short story was first
published in the March 1937
issue of Top-Notch magazine.
This SF short story was first
published in the March 1937
issue of Top-Notch magazine.
December 2, 2025
Bond’s story is vintage sci-fi whimsy with a philosophical heart.
The mysterious cube, broadcasting riddles and wisdom, becomes both a plot device and a metaphor for the tantalising opacity of knowledge.
The protagonist’s journey toward understanding the cube’s message is funny, frustrating, and surprisingly touching.
Bond uses humour to soften existential weight: the idea that messages from beyond might not simplify our world but complicate it beautifully.
The final reveal is tender rather than bombastic.
The cube becomes less an alien artefact and more a reminder that curiosity is humanity’s oldest and most stubborn inheritance.
The mysterious cube, broadcasting riddles and wisdom, becomes both a plot device and a metaphor for the tantalising opacity of knowledge.
The protagonist’s journey toward understanding the cube’s message is funny, frustrating, and surprisingly touching.
Bond uses humour to soften existential weight: the idea that messages from beyond might not simplify our world but complicate it beautifully.
The final reveal is tender rather than bombastic.
The cube becomes less an alien artefact and more a reminder that curiosity is humanity’s oldest and most stubborn inheritance.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews