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The SFWA Grand Masters #2
The SFWA Grand Masters 2
A collection of "Grand Master" storiesscifi tales penned by Nebula Award winners voted lifetime achievers, includes the fiction of Andre Norton, Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov, Alfred Bester, and Ray Bradbury.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2000
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91 people want to read
About the author
Frederik Pohl
1,151 books1,057 followersFrederik George Pohl, Jr. was an American science fiction writer, editor and fan, with a career spanning over seventy years. From about 1959 until 1969, Pohl edited Galaxy magazine and its sister magazine IF winning the Hugo for IF three years in a row. His writing also won him three Hugos and multiple Nebula Awards. He became a Nebula Grand Master in 1993.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 11, 2020
A selection of short stories and novellas from the second group of five authors named Grand Masters by the Science Fiction Writers of America: Andre Norton, Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov, Alfred Bester, and Ray Bradbury. The stories are science fiction and fantasy, some a mixture of both. The styles may be different, but all of these authors captured the imaginations and loyalty of readers throughout their decades of writing.
Pohl has selected a decent group of stories, five each except for Asimov who only has four. Each author’s section has a short biography and an overview of their writing career. Pohl also provides a list of suggested books. Overall, this is a solid 4 out of 5.
Mousetrap by Andre Norton
There are strange sand monsters on Mars, ones that are highly desired by museums back on Earth. Unfortunately, they are too fragile to capture for transport, dead or alive. Until prospector Sam Levatts is approached by hustler Len Collins. Part tragedy with a hopeful ending. This was a sad read and yet very satisfying in the denouement. Incredibly short, yet tightly written. Norton was a favorite of mine in middle school once I actually started reading science fiction. I much preferred her science fiction stories to those with a more fantasy bent at that time. Despite being marketed to children, her stories didn't pull any punches in regard to violence, depression, and even suicide. Some of her works haven't aged well, but then you'll come across something like this and remember just why she was so very popular among all age groups. 4 out of 5.
Were-Wrath by Andre Norton
Lady Thra of Laniat flees deep into the forest after the last of her liegemen is killed. She stumbles across a hut, a cat who speaks telepathically, and an unfinished carving on an armoire. Then the man-creature appears. Soon Thra will be forced to face a greater evil than any of the were. One of the things that Norton was best at was how she gave life to outsiders and how strong her female characters were. Thra, once a lady, now a woman who has been stripped to a fierce survivor. Farne, abandoned by his birth family, finds love with a mother-figure until she was taken from him. There's magic and a hint of romance at the very end, an enthralling fantasy. As I stated earlier, Norton's fantasy wasn't something I cared for when I first began reading her works. That changed by the time I hit high school, thanks to Tolkien and Fritz Leiber, among others. Makes me eager to dive back into the author's fantasy works. 4.5 out of 5
All Cats Are Gray by Andre Norton
Steena was known by many free spacers, a quiet woman who gathered knowledge through listening and a photographic memory. Her peculiar knowledge had helped many of the men around her, never accepting any reward. Until she's given Bat, a cat, by a man whose life she saved. Now she helps another free spacer hoping to get control of an abandoned pleasure spacecraft with a dangerous reputation. Creepy, cool, and another story with an important cat character. Steena could resonate with those young girls with a thirst for knowledge, that lived in our own type of gray world, filled with acquaintances and friends rather than lovers. This is an unusual portrayal and use of an extreme type of colorblindness. A good read. 3.5 out of 5.
Serpent’s Tooth by Andre Norton
Seeker Modic chooses Rentarn to guide him and his group into the Questionable Lands. Modic is determined to find the city of Lonscraft, long deserted, hoping for treasure despite the danger. But as he says, the treasure isn't the kind Rentarn might think. The legends and myths learned by all who live in the Between Villages may be Rentarn's only hope of survival. That and his genetics. More a novella than a short story, Norton has an interesting treasure hunting quest that mixes fantasy with a tinge of science fiction, leaning heavily toward horror with the mysterious events in Lonscraft. Who the blue men in the heart of the palace might have been is never truly answered, the reader only receiving hints. The intriguing possibilities are never confirmed. A fascinating story. 4.5 out of 5
Rescue Party by Arthur C. Clarke
When the crew of the exploration survey ship S9000 is notified of an inhabited planet's sun going super nova, they rush there to save as many of the inhabitants as they can. As the increasing heat has already begun to decimate the surface of the planet, it is difficult and dangerously time-consuming to search for any possible survivors. Defeat followed by surprise followed by a hint of more to come makes for a tightly written story. And it is an interesting viewpoint, even if filled with old-fashioned science fiction tropes, from tentacles to collective minds. This is the first story written by Clarke, done in 1946. A decent enough start for a newbie. 3.5 out of 5
I found it amusing and telling that Clarke’s nickname in fandom was “Ego”. I doubt if it was entirely friendly. Despite his constant bragging that he solely invented satellite communications, that wasn’t entirely true. Yes, he wrote about it in a trade paper, but he wasn’t the only one working on the concept, nor was he the only one who published. I never cared for Clarke, mostly for his extreme arrogance and weirdness portrayed in interviews, both written and filmed. I don’t know if this affected how I reacted to his work or not, but he was rarely on my reading list. There were a couple of stories that I enjoyed, but mostly I veered away from him.
The Secret by Arthur C. Clarke
Henry Cooper, a science reporter, has been sent to the moon by the United Nations Space Administration in an effort to generate support for the Pluto City base. He has been there before, so he is aware of how things operate. But this time there is something off. He contacts an old friend, currently the Plato City Police Department Inspector General, to ask what is going on. The answer is nothing he could've expected. *sigh* This is the type of crap that turned me off of Clarke's stories. It's a great setup but had no real payoff in my opinion. Yes, we're told the answer to the mystery, nothing past that. This story was published in 1963, long before the moon landings. Clarke's views were very pessimistic of that event. Vastly disappointed, yet not really surprised. Hopefully the next few stories are better. The setup helped squeak this rating to 3 out of 5.
Reunion by Arthur C. Clarke
Aliens are returning to the Earth that they claim to have colonized millions of years ago. They became aware that the change in the planet's environment had led to mutations in some of the colonists. Not a problem, they can help fix anything! While the ending may be trite, almost expected for a story published in 1971, it doesn't make it any less fun to read. A remarkably tight story for two pages. 4.5 out of 5.
The Star by Arthur C. Clarke
A deep space survey vessel is exploring the Phoenix Nebula, a sun that went super nova centuries earlier. On the planet farthest from the now dead sun was found a vault that contains the records of the people who died in the blast. One crew member, a Jesuit who is their Chief Astrophysicist, finds his faith stuttering by what he discovers. This is actually a good question; can religious faith survive deep space travel? Yes, I knew instantly what the core idea would be, but in 1952 to deal so directly with faith and science in a science fiction story would've been very brave of the publishers to put out there. It is also a subject much discussed by both non-believers as well as more scientific-minded believers. In fact, it was a subject discussed at great length by my Episcopal Middle School Bible Study class with Father Alex Boyer, a man who would've been a Jesuit if he had been Roman Catholic. This story could be a great discussion starter as well as a good read. 3.5 out of 5.
A Meeting with Medusa by Arthur C. Clarke
Howard Falcon had been seriously injured while piloting a test flight of the Queen Elizabeth IV thanks to a news camera platform that crashed through the dirigible. Doctors had put him back together, giving him some extras that will come in handy with his next adventure: a trip to Jupiter, the first gaseous planet to be explored by man. If this type of story was more Clarke's usual output, I might be able to understand why he was considered one of the Big Three in science fiction. The sense of adventure is neatly woven into the story, particularly the suppositions made by Clarke about what might be found on and above Jupiter if we continue with ever closer flybys that can delve deeper into the atmosphere. I will say that the extent of Falcon's "enhancements" took me a bit by surprise, making me wonder just what was left of his physical self. Best guess would be his brain and nothing else. Fascinating and disturbing in equal measures. 4.5 out of 5.
The Last Question by Isaac Asimov
As mankind's computers expand in knowledge and abilities, there is one question that is asked over the ages that doesn't receive an answer other than "insufficient data". But as the millenniums pass and the Galaxy fills with life, immortal life, the question becomes ever more urgent. How can you reverse or stop entropy? The ending!! I should've seen it coming, but surprisingly I didn't. I really enjoyed the glimpses into how man and computers evolved over the trillions of years, yet both still struggled with the basic question of survival of that which provided power and life no matter how both learned and adapted. Asimov, in this publication date of 1956, postulates solar power and mankind's increasing reliance on super computers, not to mention increasing overpopulation driving exploration even more than curiosity. 4.5 out of 5.
Ah, Asimov. So much incredible talent and so much wide-ranging interests he had. Surprisingly I’ve only read a few of his works, particularly the Foundation series and his I, Robot series, as well as some of his short stories. I was more likely to read his non-fiction works, from science to the bible, or the short story collections he edited. I would devour his introductions even more than the stories themselves. I’ve found the introductory biography on this author to be more enjoyable as Pohl had a lifetime friendship with Asimov, giving it that personal touch.
It’s Such a Beautiful Day by Isaac Asimov
The day that the Hanshaw Door failed to operate was the day that 12-year-old Richard Hanshaw Jr. began to avoid using it to go to school and back home again. Nothing his mother tried could deter him other than on rare unexplained occasions. Yet Dick didn't seem to mind using the Door to visit New York or Canton, China. His mother reluctantly agrees with his teacher to take him to a psychiatrist for probing. Asimov has provided a most prophetic story about how technology can cause people to withdraw from experiencing the outdoors. The reasons and type of technology might be different, but the results wind up the same. Video games, the internet, television, and other media all do the same. Thought-provoking. 4.5 out of 5.
Strikebreaker by Isaac Asimov
Sociologist Steven Lamorak visits the first asteroid world in order to gather facts about Elseverse's society. While there he learns it exists under a strict caste system. Igor Ragusnik's family has overseen waste reclamation for generations. Unfortunately, this makes the family outcasts, unable to meet with nor interact with the rest of the community. Igor has decided to go on strike until his family is accepted, although the leaders of Elseverse are determined to not give in. The consequences for the community are dire if something isn't done. Intriguing as well as an echo of other Earth-based castes such as the Untouchables in India. A very disappointing solution by Lamorak. And, frankly, I think his estimate as to how long changes would occur was out of line. And, as a sociologist, Lamorak should know better. 3.5 out of 5.
The Martian Way by Isaac Asimov
Earth is getting testy about the amount of water used by the Martian colony, especially that used for propulsion by the scavengers who catch shells discarded by rockets launched from Earth for their metal content. After a year of politicians pontificating, a ration is set up, one that will essentially stop all scavenging. Certain of the scavengers understand that this could be just the beginning of Earth’s hold on the colonies tightening. The newest of the scavengers, Ted Long, encourages them to look elsewhere for their water, cut ties with Earth. Long’s idea? A newer source of water, the rings of Saturn. The idea of using water for propulsion purposes in low or no gravity situations really isn’t that far-fetched, but as shown here it would require having a virtually endless supply available. Asimov has another valid point. For any colony to be truly valid, they must be self-sustaining. 3.5 out of 5.
Disappearing Act by Alfred Bester
General Carpenter is leading the War for the American Dream, directing good citizens to become sharply honed tools. His motto is “a job for everyone and everyone on the job”. After all, how else can they defend the American Dream of Beauty and Poetry and the Better Things in Life? Then a perplexing mystery appears in Ward T of the U.S. Army Hospital that requires an expertise not readily available in Carpenter’s America. This was beyond a hoot! And all too possible, at least in regard to a country so involved in a long-term war that they focus their attention on specific talents needed, not the softer interests. I have little actual knowledge of Bester’s works. I’ve always known the name, but somehow missed reading anything from him. This story tells me just what I’ve been missing, so I’m looking forward to the remainder of his section in this collection. 5 out of 5.
Fondly Fahrenheit by Alfred Bester
James Vandaleur and his android are on the run after the android kidnaps and kills a child, something previously thought impossible. I don't know how to describe this. It is a confusing narrative with multiple fluid viewpoints. Fluid as in it can be hard to understand who is narrating, whether there is two or three present during certain scenes. Once farther into the story it gets easier to understand what Bester is up to. But despite the initial confusion, this was an intriguing psychological story. As Mr. Spock would say, fascinating. 4 out of 5. There's a short commentary following the story itself in which Bester discusses his writing process in general and regarding this particular story. A nice glimpse into how the sausage is made.
The Four-Hour Fugue by Alfred Bester
Pollution and a lack of great quantities of fresh water for bathing and cleaning has led to an increased use of perfume in the urban
Pohl has selected a decent group of stories, five each except for Asimov who only has four. Each author’s section has a short biography and an overview of their writing career. Pohl also provides a list of suggested books. Overall, this is a solid 4 out of 5.
Mousetrap by Andre Norton
There are strange sand monsters on Mars, ones that are highly desired by museums back on Earth. Unfortunately, they are too fragile to capture for transport, dead or alive. Until prospector Sam Levatts is approached by hustler Len Collins. Part tragedy with a hopeful ending. This was a sad read and yet very satisfying in the denouement. Incredibly short, yet tightly written. Norton was a favorite of mine in middle school once I actually started reading science fiction. I much preferred her science fiction stories to those with a more fantasy bent at that time. Despite being marketed to children, her stories didn't pull any punches in regard to violence, depression, and even suicide. Some of her works haven't aged well, but then you'll come across something like this and remember just why she was so very popular among all age groups. 4 out of 5.
Were-Wrath by Andre Norton
Lady Thra of Laniat flees deep into the forest after the last of her liegemen is killed. She stumbles across a hut, a cat who speaks telepathically, and an unfinished carving on an armoire. Then the man-creature appears. Soon Thra will be forced to face a greater evil than any of the were. One of the things that Norton was best at was how she gave life to outsiders and how strong her female characters were. Thra, once a lady, now a woman who has been stripped to a fierce survivor. Farne, abandoned by his birth family, finds love with a mother-figure until she was taken from him. There's magic and a hint of romance at the very end, an enthralling fantasy. As I stated earlier, Norton's fantasy wasn't something I cared for when I first began reading her works. That changed by the time I hit high school, thanks to Tolkien and Fritz Leiber, among others. Makes me eager to dive back into the author's fantasy works. 4.5 out of 5
All Cats Are Gray by Andre Norton
Steena was known by many free spacers, a quiet woman who gathered knowledge through listening and a photographic memory. Her peculiar knowledge had helped many of the men around her, never accepting any reward. Until she's given Bat, a cat, by a man whose life she saved. Now she helps another free spacer hoping to get control of an abandoned pleasure spacecraft with a dangerous reputation. Creepy, cool, and another story with an important cat character. Steena could resonate with those young girls with a thirst for knowledge, that lived in our own type of gray world, filled with acquaintances and friends rather than lovers. This is an unusual portrayal and use of an extreme type of colorblindness. A good read. 3.5 out of 5.
Serpent’s Tooth by Andre Norton
Seeker Modic chooses Rentarn to guide him and his group into the Questionable Lands. Modic is determined to find the city of Lonscraft, long deserted, hoping for treasure despite the danger. But as he says, the treasure isn't the kind Rentarn might think. The legends and myths learned by all who live in the Between Villages may be Rentarn's only hope of survival. That and his genetics. More a novella than a short story, Norton has an interesting treasure hunting quest that mixes fantasy with a tinge of science fiction, leaning heavily toward horror with the mysterious events in Lonscraft. Who the blue men in the heart of the palace might have been is never truly answered, the reader only receiving hints. The intriguing possibilities are never confirmed. A fascinating story. 4.5 out of 5
Rescue Party by Arthur C. Clarke
When the crew of the exploration survey ship S9000 is notified of an inhabited planet's sun going super nova, they rush there to save as many of the inhabitants as they can. As the increasing heat has already begun to decimate the surface of the planet, it is difficult and dangerously time-consuming to search for any possible survivors. Defeat followed by surprise followed by a hint of more to come makes for a tightly written story. And it is an interesting viewpoint, even if filled with old-fashioned science fiction tropes, from tentacles to collective minds. This is the first story written by Clarke, done in 1946. A decent enough start for a newbie. 3.5 out of 5
I found it amusing and telling that Clarke’s nickname in fandom was “Ego”. I doubt if it was entirely friendly. Despite his constant bragging that he solely invented satellite communications, that wasn’t entirely true. Yes, he wrote about it in a trade paper, but he wasn’t the only one working on the concept, nor was he the only one who published. I never cared for Clarke, mostly for his extreme arrogance and weirdness portrayed in interviews, both written and filmed. I don’t know if this affected how I reacted to his work or not, but he was rarely on my reading list. There were a couple of stories that I enjoyed, but mostly I veered away from him.
The Secret by Arthur C. Clarke
Henry Cooper, a science reporter, has been sent to the moon by the United Nations Space Administration in an effort to generate support for the Pluto City base. He has been there before, so he is aware of how things operate. But this time there is something off. He contacts an old friend, currently the Plato City Police Department Inspector General, to ask what is going on. The answer is nothing he could've expected. *sigh* This is the type of crap that turned me off of Clarke's stories. It's a great setup but had no real payoff in my opinion. Yes, we're told the answer to the mystery, nothing past that. This story was published in 1963, long before the moon landings. Clarke's views were very pessimistic of that event. Vastly disappointed, yet not really surprised. Hopefully the next few stories are better. The setup helped squeak this rating to 3 out of 5.
Reunion by Arthur C. Clarke
Aliens are returning to the Earth that they claim to have colonized millions of years ago. They became aware that the change in the planet's environment had led to mutations in some of the colonists. Not a problem, they can help fix anything! While the ending may be trite, almost expected for a story published in 1971, it doesn't make it any less fun to read. A remarkably tight story for two pages. 4.5 out of 5.
The Star by Arthur C. Clarke
A deep space survey vessel is exploring the Phoenix Nebula, a sun that went super nova centuries earlier. On the planet farthest from the now dead sun was found a vault that contains the records of the people who died in the blast. One crew member, a Jesuit who is their Chief Astrophysicist, finds his faith stuttering by what he discovers. This is actually a good question; can religious faith survive deep space travel? Yes, I knew instantly what the core idea would be, but in 1952 to deal so directly with faith and science in a science fiction story would've been very brave of the publishers to put out there. It is also a subject much discussed by both non-believers as well as more scientific-minded believers. In fact, it was a subject discussed at great length by my Episcopal Middle School Bible Study class with Father Alex Boyer, a man who would've been a Jesuit if he had been Roman Catholic. This story could be a great discussion starter as well as a good read. 3.5 out of 5.
A Meeting with Medusa by Arthur C. Clarke
Howard Falcon had been seriously injured while piloting a test flight of the Queen Elizabeth IV thanks to a news camera platform that crashed through the dirigible. Doctors had put him back together, giving him some extras that will come in handy with his next adventure: a trip to Jupiter, the first gaseous planet to be explored by man. If this type of story was more Clarke's usual output, I might be able to understand why he was considered one of the Big Three in science fiction. The sense of adventure is neatly woven into the story, particularly the suppositions made by Clarke about what might be found on and above Jupiter if we continue with ever closer flybys that can delve deeper into the atmosphere. I will say that the extent of Falcon's "enhancements" took me a bit by surprise, making me wonder just what was left of his physical self. Best guess would be his brain and nothing else. Fascinating and disturbing in equal measures. 4.5 out of 5.
The Last Question by Isaac Asimov
As mankind's computers expand in knowledge and abilities, there is one question that is asked over the ages that doesn't receive an answer other than "insufficient data". But as the millenniums pass and the Galaxy fills with life, immortal life, the question becomes ever more urgent. How can you reverse or stop entropy? The ending!! I should've seen it coming, but surprisingly I didn't. I really enjoyed the glimpses into how man and computers evolved over the trillions of years, yet both still struggled with the basic question of survival of that which provided power and life no matter how both learned and adapted. Asimov, in this publication date of 1956, postulates solar power and mankind's increasing reliance on super computers, not to mention increasing overpopulation driving exploration even more than curiosity. 4.5 out of 5.
Ah, Asimov. So much incredible talent and so much wide-ranging interests he had. Surprisingly I’ve only read a few of his works, particularly the Foundation series and his I, Robot series, as well as some of his short stories. I was more likely to read his non-fiction works, from science to the bible, or the short story collections he edited. I would devour his introductions even more than the stories themselves. I’ve found the introductory biography on this author to be more enjoyable as Pohl had a lifetime friendship with Asimov, giving it that personal touch.
It’s Such a Beautiful Day by Isaac Asimov
The day that the Hanshaw Door failed to operate was the day that 12-year-old Richard Hanshaw Jr. began to avoid using it to go to school and back home again. Nothing his mother tried could deter him other than on rare unexplained occasions. Yet Dick didn't seem to mind using the Door to visit New York or Canton, China. His mother reluctantly agrees with his teacher to take him to a psychiatrist for probing. Asimov has provided a most prophetic story about how technology can cause people to withdraw from experiencing the outdoors. The reasons and type of technology might be different, but the results wind up the same. Video games, the internet, television, and other media all do the same. Thought-provoking. 4.5 out of 5.
Strikebreaker by Isaac Asimov
Sociologist Steven Lamorak visits the first asteroid world in order to gather facts about Elseverse's society. While there he learns it exists under a strict caste system. Igor Ragusnik's family has overseen waste reclamation for generations. Unfortunately, this makes the family outcasts, unable to meet with nor interact with the rest of the community. Igor has decided to go on strike until his family is accepted, although the leaders of Elseverse are determined to not give in. The consequences for the community are dire if something isn't done. Intriguing as well as an echo of other Earth-based castes such as the Untouchables in India. A very disappointing solution by Lamorak. And, frankly, I think his estimate as to how long changes would occur was out of line. And, as a sociologist, Lamorak should know better. 3.5 out of 5.
The Martian Way by Isaac Asimov
Earth is getting testy about the amount of water used by the Martian colony, especially that used for propulsion by the scavengers who catch shells discarded by rockets launched from Earth for their metal content. After a year of politicians pontificating, a ration is set up, one that will essentially stop all scavenging. Certain of the scavengers understand that this could be just the beginning of Earth’s hold on the colonies tightening. The newest of the scavengers, Ted Long, encourages them to look elsewhere for their water, cut ties with Earth. Long’s idea? A newer source of water, the rings of Saturn. The idea of using water for propulsion purposes in low or no gravity situations really isn’t that far-fetched, but as shown here it would require having a virtually endless supply available. Asimov has another valid point. For any colony to be truly valid, they must be self-sustaining. 3.5 out of 5.
Disappearing Act by Alfred Bester
General Carpenter is leading the War for the American Dream, directing good citizens to become sharply honed tools. His motto is “a job for everyone and everyone on the job”. After all, how else can they defend the American Dream of Beauty and Poetry and the Better Things in Life? Then a perplexing mystery appears in Ward T of the U.S. Army Hospital that requires an expertise not readily available in Carpenter’s America. This was beyond a hoot! And all too possible, at least in regard to a country so involved in a long-term war that they focus their attention on specific talents needed, not the softer interests. I have little actual knowledge of Bester’s works. I’ve always known the name, but somehow missed reading anything from him. This story tells me just what I’ve been missing, so I’m looking forward to the remainder of his section in this collection. 5 out of 5.
Fondly Fahrenheit by Alfred Bester
James Vandaleur and his android are on the run after the android kidnaps and kills a child, something previously thought impossible. I don't know how to describe this. It is a confusing narrative with multiple fluid viewpoints. Fluid as in it can be hard to understand who is narrating, whether there is two or three present during certain scenes. Once farther into the story it gets easier to understand what Bester is up to. But despite the initial confusion, this was an intriguing psychological story. As Mr. Spock would say, fascinating. 4 out of 5. There's a short commentary following the story itself in which Bester discusses his writing process in general and regarding this particular story. A nice glimpse into how the sausage is made.
The Four-Hour Fugue by Alfred Bester
Pollution and a lack of great quantities of fresh water for bathing and cleaning has led to an increased use of perfume in the urban
March 31, 2023
This is a pretty cool anthology. I'd say 'nuff said, but I do feel entitled to write a mini review for each of the seventeen/eighteen stories in here, so I can't really do that, but I can say that it's pretty cool. This was my first experience with the short fiction of Norton or Bester, some good revisiting of Clarke and Asimov classics, and a mediocre sidestep into Bradbury country (as it usually is, but I digress). I'm glad I got this book at one of the weirdest bookshops I went to last year, which was my triumphant return to the first used bookshop I ever went to, and now I'm going to have to cross my fingers for volumes one and three next time I go into the wild. But, I digress; simply put, this anthology/omnibus-hybrid contains stories from the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th authors to be designated as Grand Masters by the Science Fiction Writers of America (as they used to be called). Let's break down this review into the five respective chunks.
ANDRE NORTON: The book I read right before this was my first Norton novel, coincidentally. I enjoyed it (Daybreak - 2250 A.D.) but found her short fiction to be a bit less enthralling...
-"Mousetrap," a clever little tale about a couple of men on Mars and these petrified-statue-things, was a decent little romp. Not sure what the point was, but it's Norton; I don't think it's supposed to be very thematic. I rated it 7/10 on the spot.
-"Were-Wraith" was a bit of a bore. This woman flees her kingdom and is hunted and comes across a werewolf and she may be one too and... eh, the prose is decent enough and of its era. But it wasn't engaging or impactful, really. 6/10.
-My favorite of hers was "All Cats Are Grey." This feminine pirate sits around the bar and is consulted about a derelict spaceship. She goes there with this guy and her cat senses these shape-shifting creatures. Fun enough and the best remembered out of them. 7/10.
-And now, the worst, "Serpent's Tooth." This village boy is drafted to play guide to this wizard guy or something and they go and do this or that, his ancestors are reptilians or something like that, eh. Obviously didn't connect with me. 5.5/10.
Where do I stand on Norton? That her early novels outweigh her later short stories. I'm sure I'll read her again, being the collecting nut that I am, but I have no plans to at the moment.
ARTHUR C CLARKE: He's a little up-and-down to me, but when he hits, he hits; Childhood's End is an absolute classic, in my opinion, and I've found his short fiction - which I largely read in his collection *The Sentinel* - is pretty underrated in my opinion.
-"Rescue Party." Not the first time I've read this, and it probably won't be the last. A scion of an intergalactic federation arrives to meet humanity right as the sun is blowing up. It's his debut story and is already full of Clarke's end-of-Earth iconography. Good ending too. 8/10.
-I didn't find "The Secret," a moonbase story where , and has to keep it hush-hush. I still like Clarke's style and themes, though. 7.5/10.
-Only one page but worth its weight in... copper?... "Reunion" is a quippy tale about how . What a riot. 8/10.
-I don't remember "The Star" being this good, but the whole is just really cool, fits Clarke's style perfectly, and makes you think. On concept alone, an 8/10.
-One of the longest stories here is the well-known novella "A Meeting With Medusa." A daredevil sails the skies of Jupiter in a big balloon and gets more than he bargained for when he runs across some gascous life forms... but are they intelligent? Think Doyle's "A Horror in the Heights" but better because it's SF and can have actual themes, even if a couple of scenes (like the opening) could have been trimmed. If it was more modern or a little longer I'd rate it lower, but it hits the sweet spot, so 8/10.
I like Clarke. These stories are some of his best and give a good overview of the themes and, as I said, the iconography of his stories. I don't have any Clarke books on the docket but I'll need to get some there soon. I think Pohl's selections for the next author are iconographic too, but maybe not to the same proficiency
ISAAC ASIMOV: The man himself. I like most of what I've read from him; I just think Foundation is overrated. Still, his shorts don't usually disappoint.
-Starting strong is "The Last Question," one of his biggest stories, and for good reason. It's not too long but conveys all of human existence through the lens of a highly intelligent chatGPT called the Multivac that ends up . Thematic as Asimov gets and I'm here for it! Thought-provoking. 8.5/10.
-"It's Such a Beautiful Day" shows a world where Doors (capital-D) are teleportation devices and a single mother fears for her son's wellbeing because he wants to walk to and from school in the outside world. Blaspheme! Reminds me of his Robot novel , and this story's ending (where ) is memorable and almost touching. 8/10.
-I didn't like "Strikebreaker" as much despite the fact that it deals with similar themes, this time on a space station where the sewer-operators are looked down upon as a filthy caste. The main character engaged with this society well but it didn't move me or make me think. Still, low 7.5/10.
-The downward trend continues and finishes with "The Martian Way." It's his longest one yet, and I definitely think it's too long. It shows Mars getting cut off of its water supply due to political issues with Earth and a few of its inhabitants concocting a scheme to get water from the outer planets. Some cool stuff, but Asimov isn't really an action writer and this gets long in the tooth. Low 7.
It's funny that I have a whole Asimov collection, *The Bicentennial Man*, to read next month. I'm not complaining, though; I think that short fiction is one of his fortes.
ALFRED BESTER: I'd only ever read The Stars My Destination, but I've heard great things about his short fiction (especially from the Outlaw Bookseller), so I was pretty excited. Sadly, despite their acclaim (which is warranted; he's a really good writer), they didn't strike me as... special.
-I should've loved "Disappearing Act," about veterans flitting in and out of past and future (-"Fondly Fahrenheit" is the big one, and although it's confusing (it's from five or six different first-person points of view at the same time), I can see why it's lauded. It's all about the connection between the main robot that wants to kill people and his human pal, and the interplay between their savage desires, and... it's pretty cool. Still, couldn't connect to it on a meaningful level. Ugh, I want to love Bester! 7/10.
Bester had a little commentary on that story which was cool.
-"The Four-Hour Fugue" features a perfume designer (or something like that) who turns murderous when he sleepwalks into town every night. I don't know if it's about addiction or savage desires (Bester seems to like these savage characters) or about the power of self awareness (since ), but it's alright. Low 7/10.
-"Hobson's Choice" was somewhat intriguing, I guess, and is about this census taker who notes the strangely rising population at the epicenter of nuclear warfare. It's cool but I don't really remember what the kicker was, less than a week on. That's my problem... his stuff just isn't sticking. 6/10.
I want to love Bester, I really do, he's just not letting me doing it. I have the big trade paperback Virtual Unrealities in the wings, and maybe I'll get on with that better. I hope so.
BRADBURY: If I was a YouTuber, this is where hate-comments would begin, because I don't particularly enjoy Bradbury. He was a good writer, sure, but his science fiction was simplistic and lacking of impact. Takes more than a few pretty words to have a definitive impact on SF, in my opinion, but that's just mine and it's unpopular. Let's talk about his stories, shall we?
-I've read "The City" before and it's one of his better ones. A team of explorers lands on this planet which . Some ancient Deep Past stuff here. I'll be generous and give is a 7/10.
-"The Million Year Picnic"... what is this about again?... something about a family trying to get off Earth. Pedestrian and forgettable... 5.5/10..
-I read "All Summer in a Day" in 7th grade and I suppose it still has a little pull with me because there is some memorable imagery here despite the fact that it has little point beyond showing off how terrible children can be. 6/10.
-Man, the synopsis of "There Will Come Soft Rains" doesn't ring any bells. I must sound like a crappy reviewer but I swear I was wide awake! Just the effect he has on me... 5/10...
I need to read Something Wicked Comes This Way and October Country, but as far as enjoying Bradbury goes, Dandelion Wine and "The Veldt" seems to be as close as it's gonna get...
This was a fun book, and I'm glad I brought it along to my Spring Break vacation; short stories are a good choice for road trips. It was only successful forty percent of the time, though... not a great batting average. I'll give it a 7.5/10 for its cool concept and the good stories and for showing me what a couple of these authors can do. I'm sure to pick up the other volumes in the set and complete that little collection, but for now, I'm off to read something other (hopefully more titillating) fiction. Thanks for the ride, Mr. Frederick Pohl; no matter how much pissing and moaning I did here on Goodreads, I enjoyed it.
ANDRE NORTON: The book I read right before this was my first Norton novel, coincidentally. I enjoyed it (Daybreak - 2250 A.D.) but found her short fiction to be a bit less enthralling...
-"Mousetrap," a clever little tale about a couple of men on Mars and these petrified-statue-things, was a decent little romp. Not sure what the point was, but it's Norton; I don't think it's supposed to be very thematic. I rated it 7/10 on the spot.
-"Were-Wraith" was a bit of a bore. This woman flees her kingdom and is hunted and comes across a werewolf and she may be one too and... eh, the prose is decent enough and of its era. But it wasn't engaging or impactful, really. 6/10.
-My favorite of hers was "All Cats Are Grey." This feminine pirate sits around the bar and is consulted about a derelict spaceship. She goes there with this guy and her cat senses these shape-shifting creatures. Fun enough and the best remembered out of them. 7/10.
-And now, the worst, "Serpent's Tooth." This village boy is drafted to play guide to this wizard guy or something and they go and do this or that, his ancestors are reptilians or something like that, eh. Obviously didn't connect with me. 5.5/10.
Where do I stand on Norton? That her early novels outweigh her later short stories. I'm sure I'll read her again, being the collecting nut that I am, but I have no plans to at the moment.
ARTHUR C CLARKE: He's a little up-and-down to me, but when he hits, he hits; Childhood's End is an absolute classic, in my opinion, and I've found his short fiction - which I largely read in his collection *The Sentinel* - is pretty underrated in my opinion.
-"Rescue Party." Not the first time I've read this, and it probably won't be the last. A scion of an intergalactic federation arrives to meet humanity right as the sun is blowing up. It's his debut story and is already full of Clarke's end-of-Earth iconography. Good ending too. 8/10.
-I didn't find "The Secret," a moonbase story where , and has to keep it hush-hush. I still like Clarke's style and themes, though. 7.5/10.
-Only one page but worth its weight in... copper?... "Reunion" is a quippy tale about how . What a riot. 8/10.
-I don't remember "The Star" being this good, but the whole is just really cool, fits Clarke's style perfectly, and makes you think. On concept alone, an 8/10.
-One of the longest stories here is the well-known novella "A Meeting With Medusa." A daredevil sails the skies of Jupiter in a big balloon and gets more than he bargained for when he runs across some gascous life forms... but are they intelligent? Think Doyle's "A Horror in the Heights" but better because it's SF and can have actual themes, even if a couple of scenes (like the opening) could have been trimmed. If it was more modern or a little longer I'd rate it lower, but it hits the sweet spot, so 8/10.
I like Clarke. These stories are some of his best and give a good overview of the themes and, as I said, the iconography of his stories. I don't have any Clarke books on the docket but I'll need to get some there soon. I think Pohl's selections for the next author are iconographic too, but maybe not to the same proficiency
ISAAC ASIMOV: The man himself. I like most of what I've read from him; I just think Foundation is overrated. Still, his shorts don't usually disappoint.
-Starting strong is "The Last Question," one of his biggest stories, and for good reason. It's not too long but conveys all of human existence through the lens of a highly intelligent chatGPT called the Multivac that ends up . Thematic as Asimov gets and I'm here for it! Thought-provoking. 8.5/10.
-"It's Such a Beautiful Day" shows a world where Doors (capital-D) are teleportation devices and a single mother fears for her son's wellbeing because he wants to walk to and from school in the outside world. Blaspheme! Reminds me of his Robot novel , and this story's ending (where ) is memorable and almost touching. 8/10.
-I didn't like "Strikebreaker" as much despite the fact that it deals with similar themes, this time on a space station where the sewer-operators are looked down upon as a filthy caste. The main character engaged with this society well but it didn't move me or make me think. Still, low 7.5/10.
-The downward trend continues and finishes with "The Martian Way." It's his longest one yet, and I definitely think it's too long. It shows Mars getting cut off of its water supply due to political issues with Earth and a few of its inhabitants concocting a scheme to get water from the outer planets. Some cool stuff, but Asimov isn't really an action writer and this gets long in the tooth. Low 7.
It's funny that I have a whole Asimov collection, *The Bicentennial Man*, to read next month. I'm not complaining, though; I think that short fiction is one of his fortes.
ALFRED BESTER: I'd only ever read The Stars My Destination, but I've heard great things about his short fiction (especially from the Outlaw Bookseller), so I was pretty excited. Sadly, despite their acclaim (which is warranted; he's a really good writer), they didn't strike me as... special.
-I should've loved "Disappearing Act," about veterans flitting in and out of past and future (-"Fondly Fahrenheit" is the big one, and although it's confusing (it's from five or six different first-person points of view at the same time), I can see why it's lauded. It's all about the connection between the main robot that wants to kill people and his human pal, and the interplay between their savage desires, and... it's pretty cool. Still, couldn't connect to it on a meaningful level. Ugh, I want to love Bester! 7/10.
Bester had a little commentary on that story which was cool.
-"The Four-Hour Fugue" features a perfume designer (or something like that) who turns murderous when he sleepwalks into town every night. I don't know if it's about addiction or savage desires (Bester seems to like these savage characters) or about the power of self awareness (since ), but it's alright. Low 7/10.
-"Hobson's Choice" was somewhat intriguing, I guess, and is about this census taker who notes the strangely rising population at the epicenter of nuclear warfare. It's cool but I don't really remember what the kicker was, less than a week on. That's my problem... his stuff just isn't sticking. 6/10.
I want to love Bester, I really do, he's just not letting me doing it. I have the big trade paperback Virtual Unrealities in the wings, and maybe I'll get on with that better. I hope so.
BRADBURY: If I was a YouTuber, this is where hate-comments would begin, because I don't particularly enjoy Bradbury. He was a good writer, sure, but his science fiction was simplistic and lacking of impact. Takes more than a few pretty words to have a definitive impact on SF, in my opinion, but that's just mine and it's unpopular. Let's talk about his stories, shall we?
-I've read "The City" before and it's one of his better ones. A team of explorers lands on this planet which . Some ancient Deep Past stuff here. I'll be generous and give is a 7/10.
-"The Million Year Picnic"... what is this about again?... something about a family trying to get off Earth. Pedestrian and forgettable... 5.5/10..
-I read "All Summer in a Day" in 7th grade and I suppose it still has a little pull with me because there is some memorable imagery here despite the fact that it has little point beyond showing off how terrible children can be. 6/10.
-Man, the synopsis of "There Will Come Soft Rains" doesn't ring any bells. I must sound like a crappy reviewer but I swear I was wide awake! Just the effect he has on me... 5/10...
I need to read Something Wicked Comes This Way and October Country, but as far as enjoying Bradbury goes, Dandelion Wine and "The Veldt" seems to be as close as it's gonna get...
This was a fun book, and I'm glad I brought it along to my Spring Break vacation; short stories are a good choice for road trips. It was only successful forty percent of the time, though... not a great batting average. I'll give it a 7.5/10 for its cool concept and the good stories and for showing me what a couple of these authors can do. I'm sure to pick up the other volumes in the set and complete that little collection, but for now, I'm off to read something other (hopefully more titillating) fiction. Thanks for the ride, Mr. Frederick Pohl; no matter how much pissing and moaning I did here on Goodreads, I enjoyed it.
December 9, 2017
It's becoming increasingly difficult to find anything in print by many of the of the Sci-Fi 'Golden Age' authors. Even used bookstores don't seem to have very much of the classic Sci-Fi anymore. I think it's just about impossible to find anything by Alfred Bester or Clifford Simak. So it's good to see that the SFWA has this series of books of stories by their "Grand Masters". My only complaint being that there should be one or two more stories from each author! I'd also like to see additional volumes in the series, seems as though they stopped with just 3 volumes, while there are several Grand Masters who are not included in the series thus far. It's also nice to see that the royalties from the book go to the SFWA'Emergency' fund for members.
May 5, 2013
An excellent collection of the grand master science fiction writers - second volume.
I enjoyed each of these authors pieces of work, although some were easier to get through then others. I struggled with most of Andre Norton's stories, although I quite enjoyed them and found myself going back through them as I read, to get more information about what was happening later in the story.
These short stories and sometimes novellas are exactly what I like about science fiction - engaging, thought provoking, and illuminating. I have read and come to believe that science fiction is one of the best ways to evaluate and discuss our own humanity, as we can analyze how we would act in foreign, but strangely similar circumstances.
I enjoyed each of these authors pieces of work, although some were easier to get through then others. I struggled with most of Andre Norton's stories, although I quite enjoyed them and found myself going back through them as I read, to get more information about what was happening later in the story.
These short stories and sometimes novellas are exactly what I like about science fiction - engaging, thought provoking, and illuminating. I have read and come to believe that science fiction is one of the best ways to evaluate and discuss our own humanity, as we can analyze how we would act in foreign, but strangely similar circumstances.
February 13, 2016
Good story selection. Nice intro to authors I wasn't familiar with; new stories from those I know already. Highlights include Asimov's "It's Such a Beautiful Day", Bester's "Fondly Fahrenheit" (a favorite of anthologists), and Bradbury's "There Will Come Soft Rains". Strange not to see Clarke's "The Sentinel" or Asimov's "Nightfall" in here, but I guess the editor wanted to give space to somewhat less iconic stories.
February 25, 2008
Classic stories from the masters of Golden Age science fiction.
Read
January 27, 2012Science Fiction,Anthology
October 18, 2009
This collection contains my favorite short story of all time, Arthur C. Clarke's "The Star." I bought it for that reason, and found most of the other stories also delightful.
May 1, 2012
All great stories, but enjoyed the Alfred Bester stories the most.
Read
August 1, 20112008- Liked better than the first, especially the Bradbury stories.
May 25, 2022
Great stories. Asimov, Clarke, and Bradbury were phenomenal, and Norton and Bester were fun too. The introductions by Frederik Pohl are delightful, especially the one about Asimov.
August 4, 2020
I liked "A Meeting with Medusa" by Arthur C. Clarke, "Disappearing Act" by Alfred Bester, and "There will Come Soft Rains" by Ray Bradbury
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