Selected Stories

Rating:
Summary: The Best Book Ever Written.
Review: I've never enjoyed Sturgeon's novels, but his short stories are another matter. It's about time that his best were collected again, this time around by Vintage Press, and they do a great job. Actually, it's a shame that this is a more expensive trade format, but this is happening more and more with the truly meaningful sci-fi, while the latest waves of absolute crap clutter the mass-market shelves. Anyway, every story in this collection evokes a "whoa!" upon completion, and it's definitely a good investment for someone who enjoys more meat in their reading.

This book includes Thunder & Roses; The Golden Helix; Mr. Costello, Hero; Bianca's Hands; The Skills of Xanadu; Killdozer!; Bright Segment; The Sex Opposite; The Widget, The Wadget, & Boff; It; A Way of Thinking; The Man Who Lost The Sea; and Slow Sculpture. If you want to read some truly remarkable stories, make this your next purchase.

Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended from a "so-so" fan
Review: I've never enjoyed Sturgeon's novels, but his short stories are another matter. It's about time that his best were collected again, this time around by Vintage Press, and they do a great job. Actually, it's a shame that this is a more expensive trade format, but this is happening more and more with the truly meaningful sci-fi, while the latest waves of absolute crap clutter the mass-market shelves. Anyway, every story in this collection evokes a "whoa!" upon completion, and it's definitely a good investment for someone who enjoys more meat in their reading.

This book includes Thunder & Roses; The Golden Helix; Mr. Costello, Hero; Bianca's Hands; The Skills of Xanadu; Killdozer!; Bright Segment; The Sex Opposite; The Widget, The Wadget, & Boff; It; A Way of Thinking; The Man Who Lost The Sea; and Slow Sculpture. If you want to read some truly remarkable stories, make this your next purchase.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Book Ever Written.
Review: Perhaps the above is an over statment, but as far as I'm concerned this book should have #1 sales rank. You will not be dissatisfied with this book. If you are skeptical simply read through the first story "Thunder and Roses," it explores an old theme, nuclear war, but the way that Sturgeon presents it is simply unforgetable. If for nothing else, this book should be purchased for the story, "The man who lost the sea." As far as I'm concerned it is the crowning achievement of Western Civilization, once again, an over statment, but it is the most thought provoking, interesting, and wonderful story that has ever been published. Don't be discouraged from reading his stories because he is science fiction. He transcends the boundaries from sci-fi, to drama, to suspense, to humor. He is an incredible writer who just happened to be writing about technology.

Rating:
Summary: Some gems amidst the standard sci-fi fare
Review: This is yet another re-release of some of Sturgeon's classic science fiction. If you're already a fan, this volume contains several favorites. If you aren't familiar with the Master's work, this is probably as good a place as any to start.

"Thunder and Roses" takes place after a devastating nuclear first strike, and features a beautiful entertainer's plea to prevent a terrible retaliation. The survivors' despair is movingly portrayed, but doesn't get in the way of the story's main point: can mutual destruction be justified in the context of basic human values? "The Golden Helix" shows a space expedition marooned on an unknown planet learning that despite their trials, life manages to go on. In "Mr. Costello, Hero" a smooth talking blackmailer sells his snake oil to a burgeoning society, while in "The Skills of Xanadu" an arrogant scout who dreams of conquest is baffled by the simple folk of edenic Xanadu.

Some of the longer tales are less to this reviewer's liking: "Killdozer!" features lots of action and focuses on the technical aspects of heavy machinery at the expense of clever plotting and ideas, while "The [Widget], the [Wadget], and Boff" loses its momentum by following the various residents of the boardinghouse and their subplots instead of advancing the (rather weak) main story. Still, neither piece is completely without entertainment value.

Women are often in danger in Sturgeon's stories, but at least they aren't ignored altogether as is too often the case with classic sci-fi. And there are several stories, including "The Sex of Opposite" and "Slow Sculpture", where a woman shares the lead with a man. Best of all, "Bright Segment", which shows a lonely man trying to care for a wounded stranger, and the monologue of "The Man Who Lost the Sea" feature not only completely unexpected endings (reminiscent of O. Henry), but also a searing emotional intensity that almost seems to transcend the genre. It's on the basis of stories like these that some claim that great science fiction can be great literature.

Rating:
Summary: Some gems amidst the standard sci-fi fare
Review: This is yet another re-release of some of Sturgeon's classic science fiction. If you're already a fan, this volume contains several favorites. If you aren't familiar with the Master's work, this is probably as good a place as any to start.

"Thunder and Roses" takes place after a devastating nuclear first strike, and features a beautiful entertainer's plea to prevent a terrible retaliation. The survivors' despair is movingly portrayed, but doesn't get in the way of the story's main point: can mutual destruction be justified in the context of basic human values? "The Golden Helix" shows a space expedition marooned on an unknown planet learning that despite their trials, life manages to go on. In "Mr. Costello, Hero" a smooth talking blackmailer sells his snake oil to a burgeoning society, while in "The Skills of Xanadu" an arrogant scout who dreams of conquest is baffled by the simple folk of edenic Xanadu.

Some of the longer tales are less to this reviewer's liking: "Killdozer!" features lots of action and focuses on the technical aspects of heavy machinery at the expense of clever plotting and ideas, while "The [Widget], the [Wadget], and Boff" loses its momentum by following the various residents of the boardinghouse and their subplots instead of advancing the (rather weak) main story. Still, neither piece is completely without entertainment value.

Women are often in danger in Sturgeon's stories, but at least they aren't ignored altogether as is too often the case with classic sci-fi. And there are several stories, including "The Sex of Opposite" and "Slow Sculpture", where a woman shares the lead with a man. Best of all, "Bright Segment", which shows a lonely man trying to care for a wounded stranger, and the monologue of "The Man Who Lost the Sea" feature not only completely unexpected endings (reminiscent of O. Henry), but also a searing emotional intensity that almost seems to transcend the genre. It's on the basis of stories like these that some claim that great science fiction can be great literature.