The Thing in the Stone and other stories
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A mind-opening collection of short science fiction from one of the genre’s most revered Grand Masters. Legendary author Robert A. Heinlein proclaimed, “To read science fiction is to read Simak. A reader who does not like Simak stories does not like science fiction at all.” The remarkably talented Clifford D. Simak was able to ground his vast imagination in reality, and then introduce readers to fantastical worlds and concepts they could instantly and completely dig into, comprehend, and enjoy. In the title story, a man’s newfound ability to walk in the past allows him to dwell among dinosaurs, saber-toothed tigers . . . and something even more timeless. In “Construction Shack,” the first manned expedition to Pluto reveals that no matter how advanced aliens may be, even they don’t always get everything right. And in “Univac 2200,” the thin line between humans creating technology and humans becoming technology is about to be crossed—and there may be no going back. Each story includes an introduction by David W. Wixon, literary executor of the Clifford D. Simak estate and editor of this ebook.
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10 primary books#12 in The Complete Short Fiction of Clifford D. Simak
The Complete Short Fiction of Clifford D. Simak is a 10-book series with 10 released primary works first released in 2015 with contributions by Clifford D. Simak.
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Metaphorosis Reviews, 3.5 stars
Summary:
A collection of mostly SFF stories from Clifford Simak
Review:
While this is overall a strong collection, it includes a number of stories that could have been much stronger with just a touch more work. In many of them, like “Hunch”, about an alien that helps a blind man see, Simak edges right up to touching moments or endings, but doesn't quite pull them off. The intent is clear, and the path is visible, but Simak didn't follow them to the end. It's unfortunate, because while the stories are mostly good, a handful could have been excellent.
The best stories were:
- Aesop – part of the City sequence, this is a slow-moving, slow-building story with a strong ending.
- Univac 2200 – an unusual story for Simak with a clear focus on the projected implications of virtual reality.
- The Spaceman's Van Gogh - about the search for a painter, this story verges on, but doesn't quite make it over the line into greatness.
