Daymares

by Fredric Brown

7 · Gateway to Darkness [Crag] · nv Super Science Stories Nov ’49
54 · Daymare · nv Thrilling Wonder Stories Fll ’43
100 · Come and Go Mad · nv Weird Tales Jul ’49
146 · The Angelic Angleworm · na Unknown Feb ’43
200 · The Star Mouse [Mitkey] · ss Planet Stories Spr ’42
249 · Honeymoon in Hell · nv Galaxy Nov ’50
287 · Pi in the Sky · nv Thrilling Wonder Stories Win ’45

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories, Horror

317 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1968

About the author

Fredric Brown was an American science fiction and mystery writer. He was one of the boldest early writers in genre fiction in his use of narrative experimentation. While never in the front rank of popularity in his lifetime, Brown has developed a considerable cult following in the almost half century since he last wrote. His works have been periodically reprinted and he has a worldwide fan base, most notably in the U.S. and Europe, and especially in France, where there have been several recent movie adaptations of his work. He also remains popular in Japan.

Never financially secure, Brown - like many other pulp writers - often wrote at a furious pace in order to pay bills. This accounts, at least in part, for the uneven quality of his work. A newspaperman by profession, Brown was only able to devote 14 years of his life as a full-time fiction writer. Brown was also a heavy drinker, and this at times doubtless affected his productivity. A cultured man and omnivorous reader whose interests ranged far beyond those of most pulp writers, Brown had a lifelong interest in the flute, chess, poker, and the works of Lewis Carroll. Brown married twice and was the father of two sons.

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fredric Brown was the master of the very short (like one page) story. He also wrote some of the funniest novels of science fiction's golden era of the 1960s. His novella length stories are, however, quite rare, so it was good to find an anthology of seven fine stories of that length. For the most part, the stories are vintage Brown- excellent classic s.f. with tongue firmly in cheek. And, if you are a fan of, or can stand, the "suspend your disbelief and your scientific knowledge and enjoy the ride" approach of that era, you should find this an excellent group of stories, most of which still pass the test of entertainment. I would perhaps have given this five stars, but I found the stereotyping in one or two of the tales - most especially "The Star Mouse" - far too heavy handed.

[Holger Haase · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brown was a master of both crime as well as Science Fiction and though he is known for often having written some ultra short fiction, this collection contains seven of his longer short stories/novellas. What I really enjoyed was that a number of them actually were a mélange of Crime/SciFi where an often Noirish premise revealed some more bizarre fantastical twists and turns.

Unfortunately, this edition contained quite a large number of typos, something I am more used to seeing in modern self published books. This did, however, in no way stop me from enjoying another wild ride into the very unique Browniverse.

[Steve Folan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A versatile writer and not formulaic. The element of suspense in these stories is good and his style is suited to the best pulp fiction which I think is an art form that 'sophisticated' writers cannot manage sometimes.

One of the short stories in this was made into an episode of Star Trek. When I read the story it read like the template for about 20% of the episodes and a couple of the films.

I read his book 'Night of the Jabberwock' and I will certainly chec out others.

[RC · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice collection of short stories from the 1940s.