The Big Bounce

by Walter Tevis

Walter S. Tevis (1928-1984) was an American novelist and short story author. His books became the sources for several major films, including "The Man Who Fell to Earth." This story was originally published in Galaxy magazine in 1958.

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories

Nook

First published January 1, 1958

About the author

Walter Stone Tevis was an American novelist and short story writer. Three of his six novels were adapted into major films: The Hustler, The Color of Money, and The Man Who Fell to Earth. The Queen's Gambit has also been adapted in 2020 into a 7-episode mini-series. His books have been translated into at least 18 languages.

Reviews

[Janelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A clever SF short story about an invention that does the opposite to what science expects and is impossible to control.

[Chris Aldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of “short science fiction collection vol. 003 - LibriVox “ Well funny !!! Prequel to film flubber?

[Bettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seeing it in action, anybody would quaver in alarm: What
hath Farnsworth overwrought?

Illustrated by JOHNSON

Opening: LET me show you something,” Farnsworth said. He set his near-empty drink—a Bacardi martini—on the mantel and waddled out of the room toward the basement.

I sat in my big leather chair, feeling very peaceful with the world, watching the fire. Whatever Farnsworth would have to show to-night would be far more entertaining than watching T.V.—my custom on other evenings. Farnsworth, with his four labs in the house and his very tricky mind, never failed to provide my best night of the week.


wiki page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_T...

[Ralph McEwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun short story. Downloaded from librivox.com as mp3.

[Yemi Adesanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story captured my attention so intensely that I found myself running desperately down the highway in uncontainable panic to stop the recalcitrant bouncy ball of energy; my heart was beating a little faster at the end of the mental chase.

The story is science fiction but limpidly told as to be enjoyable by everyone.

[Louis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing "flubber" sciFi short story

Walter Tevis, author of The Queen's Gambit, The Hustler and The Man Who Fell to Earth, wrote with clarity and intelligence in several genres. One was S. F. This story is very short and definitely tongue in cheek. Not hilarious, but clever and amusing. Takes 10 min. to read.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute fantasy listening 🔰

Due to eye issues and damage from shingles Alexa reads to me.
A will written fantasy Sci-Fi thriller adventure novella with a very interesting tale. I would recommend this novella to anyone looking for a quick enjoyable read. Enjoy the adventure of reading or listening 🔰2021 😅

[DOUGLAS J BERRY · Rating 5 out of 5]

The flubber theory.

Some scientists believed that energy could be stored and multiplied in a substance? This gave rise to this novel and the Disney movie flubber.

[Scott MacMartin · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story story, structured a bit like the introduction to the Time Machine by HG Wells.

Not every new invention is a good idea.

[J. Carroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

The crackpot inventor Farnsworth makes his second appearance in this early short story. I'd skip this and read the entire collection The King is Dead. Tevis's short stories need to be digested en masse to be fully appreciated, and those who love his novels will find themselves smiling at the echoes (as in Farnsworth being the name of the patent attorney in The Man Who Fell to Earth). If you only read one Tevis short story, this one is okay.

[Kevin Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Big Bounce

As my first foray into the work of Walter S. Tevis I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I have enjoyed this story. To me it was a commentary on the destructiveness of an uncontrolled intellect.

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tevis Test #2
A short yarn from the geezer and well it did hold interest and had an interesting story line, could there have been more to it? Maybe it was just fine as it was.
Anyway a good little tale.

[Les · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story!

[Bryan Mcquirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun short story about a fabulous new invention that goes awry, with potentially deadly consequences.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

An accidental creation of a material that defies science quickly goes from folly to a weapon. Can Farnsworth and his pal stop it?

[Forked Radish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Flubber! But it was still somewhat interesting.

[Tony Ciak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short Science Fiction Tale