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Summary: If you are not moved by any of Ellison's stories or essays..
Review: ... than you simply do not posses the ability to be moved. Harlan Ellison has written over 1700 stories encompassing over 60 books. His best stories and essays open you up to the man's heart. He is brutally honest and always has an opinion. It's hard to put his writing under science fiction because although he has written many SF stories; he has also written horror, dark fantasy, "mainstream" fiction and of course, non-fiction. In the end, these classifications are just to place the book somewhere to make the bookseller's life a bit easier. This is the book to get if you are new (what took you so damn long?) to Ellison. It will introduce to some of his best stories and burning critical essays. He is without a doubt one of the best living short story writers we have. Get it and prove me wrong! -E.L.
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Summary: Head and shoulders above the formula fiction writers of 90's
Review: A bit bored with the latest D&D formula fiction rehash? Ellison is primal imagination. You want to be a writer that will be remembered? This is the man you must compete with!
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Summary: Perfect Introduction To Ellison
Review: A book that defies categorization (as does most of Ellison's work). "Essential" is the best way for a new Ellison reader to sample stories covering many of his constant themes of the human condition. Old Ellison fans will revel in the the scope of material included, including a healthy dose of his "early" work. Stories, essays, and screenplays are included (spanning over 30 years). A MUST READ!!!
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Summary: Truly "Essential"
Review: A well organized collection of Ellison's work. Great entertainment (as well as being a valuable reference source). It also serves as a brilliant jumping point for those new to Harlan's writing. Get it. Read it. Read it again and again
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Summary: a dose of rage
Review: any time i want to right something with passion or something that will disturb other people i turn to harlan ellison. his work is some of the best i have ever read and at the same time it is also the most aggrevating. this collection contains a perfect example of how his wit and egoism combine to make him the perfect write you love to hate. i read parts of this book at least once every few months and it never bores me. everyone should check out his revenge "driving in the spikes."
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Summary: What can I say?
Review: As one of Harlan Ellison's biggest fans (of both the writer and the man), I will say only this; To read Harlan is to know Harlan. There are writers as good (a few, anyway), but there are none better. Read everything of Harlan's that you can get your hands on. Period.
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Summary: The Most Bang for your Buck
Review: Buy this book. Buy it now.Harlan Ellisn is the difference between writing and storytelling.....like some medieval wanderer with a heart full of magic, Harlan will leave your imagination reeling. These stories are the result of a person with a keen eye for the human soul and a style that far exceeds "expectations"....They may or may not change your life, but they are guaranteed to make your day. Buy it now, while there is still time. Your local bookstore will seem like a third-world newspaper rack when you realize that they probably don't have it, and you will be sorry.
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Summary: Stunning.
Review: Ellison is the most thought provoking, reaction-getting writer alive, plain and simple. You may hate some of his work, you may love some, but almost every story in this book will make you feel something more powerfuly then you'd think the printed word could.
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Summary: WOW! Ellison, King of the (non)Science Fiction Authors
Review: For those not familliar with Ellison, He's one of the most prolific writers of our time. He is difficult to place in a genre and will probably slap you in the head for referring to his work as science fiction. He terms it "Speculative Fiction."
I would be frightened to speculate what the world would be like if it was as Harlan describes it. But in many chilling ways, the world is like Harlan describes it. Though the environments of some of these stories may not be familiar, the ideas behind them are constant. The language and plots hold up amazingly well despite the fact many of these were written in the 1960's and '70's. From the humble beginnings to the final stories, these are pure gold! Dan Baxter
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Summary: THE Best introduction to the BEST writer.
Review: From his first short story to his latest, Mr. Ellison has been on a journey of perfecting the written word. Anytime anyone has asked me for a recommendation for a "novice's" Ellison book, I've steered them towards The Essential Ellison. Having been informed that Mr. Ellison would be appearing at the 1994 Chicago ComiCon, and having not read his work for a few years, I thought it best to obtain this book (to bring myself somewhat up-to-date!); Harlan's book helped me through a bad bout of the flu....it's a fantastic read! Highly recommended by Elizabeth A. Kowols
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