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rachaelbee0402's review against another edition
4.0
Such a great mix! I read this anthology excited to see which stories would grab me and which ones didn’t and there was certainly a mix! Surprisingly (perhaps?) there wasn’t a particular genre/ age or even type of story that I preferred – in each of the three ‘ages’ the stories were split into, I loved a couple, wasn’t fond of a couple, and pretty steadily enjoyed the rest. I liked the descriptive author summaries before each story, and now I am coming away from this book with inspiration to explore different areas of sci-fi and a list of authors (most of which I’d never before heard of!) and their other works I’d like to read!
takisam's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
pumpkinspies's review against another edition
4.0
Masterpieces is, as the title suggests, a collection of science fiction short stories from the 20th century. The book breaks the stories down into eras: the Golden Age, New Wave, and the Media Generation.
Card's anthology does a very good job at sampling from both across eras and across sub-genres of science fiction in order to provide the introductory reader with a wide variety. There's both hard, extremely technological science fiction short stories alongside dystopian and social commentaries. I highly recommend this book both for new and old science fiction fans seeking to branch out their knowledge of the genre or just a good read. Although the science fiction genre is still relatively new, it is dense with content and variety, and Masterpieces provides readers with a good starting place for exploring that variety.
Obviously, the use of the word "best" is subjective, as there were several stories in the compilation I didn't think were very good representations of writing within the genre. Although science fiction primarily interested itself with facts and used plot and characters solely to explain the technology, it has since evolved and there are plenty of well-rounded, well-written stories in the genre other than those Card has selected, in my opinion. Personally, my favorite stories from Masterpieces fell in the Golden Age and New Wave eras. I have a particular fondness for social commentary, and especially Ursula Le Guin's "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas," and I'll praise every collection that remembers to include it in its pages. Some other personal favorites from this collection are, "A Saucer of Loneliness" by Theodore Sturgeon, "Robot Dreams" by Isaac Asimov, "The Tunnel Under the World" by Frederik Pohl, and "Dogfight" by William Gibson and Michael Swanwick.
Card's anthology does a very good job at sampling from both across eras and across sub-genres of science fiction in order to provide the introductory reader with a wide variety. There's both hard, extremely technological science fiction short stories alongside dystopian and social commentaries. I highly recommend this book both for new and old science fiction fans seeking to branch out their knowledge of the genre or just a good read. Although the science fiction genre is still relatively new, it is dense with content and variety, and Masterpieces provides readers with a good starting place for exploring that variety.
Obviously, the use of the word "best" is subjective, as there were several stories in the compilation I didn't think were very good representations of writing within the genre. Although science fiction primarily interested itself with facts and used plot and characters solely to explain the technology, it has since evolved and there are plenty of well-rounded, well-written stories in the genre other than those Card has selected, in my opinion. Personally, my favorite stories from Masterpieces fell in the Golden Age and New Wave eras. I have a particular fondness for social commentary, and especially Ursula Le Guin's "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas," and I'll praise every collection that remembers to include it in its pages. Some other personal favorites from this collection are, "A Saucer of Loneliness" by Theodore Sturgeon, "Robot Dreams" by Isaac Asimov, "The Tunnel Under the World" by Frederik Pohl, and "Dogfight" by William Gibson and Michael Swanwick.
kellyd's review
5.0
I had never really read much science fiction before this, much less enjoyed short stories. I guess I've always imagined the genre as the stereotype: the cold, hard-calculated science that I couldn't possibly comprehend. Instead, I found that there is variety, soft and hard, some dealing with music, some with loneliness, etc. This book has a good selection of stories that has made me want to dive further into science fiction. I had to read a few stories out of this for class: I ended up reading the WHOLE thing. What does that tell you?
Call Me Joe- A story of a disabled man who finds freedom telepathically living through this other guy while on an experiment on Jupiter. A good story, however, I did not find it as captivating and insightful as some of the others and maybe not the best choice for the first story of this selection. 6.5/10
"All You Zombies --"- This story involves time travel. The little you know the better (or perhaps that might just be my justification since it is mind-blowingly complex and I can't say even I completely understand it). 7.5/10
Tunesmith- A story that combines music and science and emotion. An interesting story, but perhaps I need to reread it to feel the full effect. 6/10
*A Saucer of Loneliness- A must read. Minimal science fiction elements means that most anyone can pick this up and enjoy. Very powerful message and definitely resonated with me in the end. 9/10
*Robot Dreams- What do you know? Apparently, Asimov and this story helped inspired the movie I, Robot. Short, thought-provoking story. 8/10
Devolution- A story about aliens and the beginning of humanity. Not quite as powerful as I would have hoped. 6.5/10
The Nine Billion Names of God- The title says a great deal. Essentially, the story is about these monks that believe once they find all of the names of God the world will end. I was not fond of this story; it simply didn't hold anything for me in plot or message. 3.5/10
A Work of Art- The twist at the end was interesting but the story was a little hard to get through. Ironically, this was not due to the science elements but due to the music elements. 6.5/10
*Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed- A story of a family adjusting to life on Mars. Very fascinating. 8/10
*"Repent, Harlequin!" Said the Ticktockman- an odd story to be sure with a dystopian feel mixed in with children storytelling elements, it's an entertaining read to say the least. 7.5/10
Eurema's Dam- I felt the story started off with potential but I didn't quite get the ending. Truly, I didn't remember the story for this little review and had to look at it in the book again. 5/10
Passengers- A story about alien(s) or forces called "Passengers" that "ride" humans for a few days making them due odd and embarrassing things. An interesting premise, an interesting world-building, I felt the plot twist at the end cut it short from what I wanted to see in it. 7/10
*The Tunnel under the World- Twist after twist after twist. I think it might be better going into this one blind. 8.5/10
Who Can Replace a Man?- A story about robots and what they decide to do when they think mankind is over. Again, another ending that I felt left me unsatisfied. It was going well until then. 6/10
The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas- The ending...good, good. I won't spoil it here but even though the story has a lot of the happy fantasy at first it does go further, darker. 6.5/10
*Inconstant Moon- What would you do if you thought this was your last night? What if the world restarted? Kept me going, kept me thinking. 8/10
*Sandkings- George, George, George. This story was fucking creepy. I wonder about him sometimes. Where do his Sandkings hide? Insert evil hand gesture here. 9.5/10
The Road Not Taken- A story about space bears. Very interesting. 7/10
Dogfight- It took me two tries to get through this one. The world building is interesting but the flight simulations/fights didn't interest me and therefore, bogged down the story. Also, with the ending, I simply don't like characters that make the douchey move and then want pity. 6/10
Face Value- Interesting, but not one of my favorites. A story of a human couple studying on a different planet these humanoid creatures with useless wings that have a design of human faces. Creepy. 6.5/10
Pots- A story about a cloned man who finds out about a conspiracy. Not as interesting as it sounds. This one had a hard time keeping my attention and I didn't feel like keeping with it paid out. 4/10
*Snow- A man who deals with the death of his wife with this technology that can glimpse random moments in her life. I really loved this story. 9/10
Rat- A story about a rat drug-dealer and a drug called "Dust". I liked the idea of this new drug but everything else was kind of a flop for me. 2/10
Bears Discover Fire- The title is the story. I read the story. Still haven't gotten more out of it than just what the title says... 2/10
A Clean Escape- Fancy little story, this. I liked it. Kept you guessing. I don't think I can really say much without giving something away. So...I'll say nothing. Ha! 7.5/10
Tourists- Not the best story. It's about a tourist who loses the person he was with and all of his belongings and slowly seeps into this country that he doesn't know. Didn't really care for this one. 4/10
One- A story about a couple that go into space searching for life. A bit bland and the grandness of the ending's message just doesn't match with the little feeling I got out of it. 5/10
Overall, I guess you could say this is a great introduction to the world of short story science fiction because it definitely was for me.
Call Me Joe- A story of a disabled man who finds freedom telepathically living through this other guy while on an experiment on Jupiter. A good story, however, I did not find it as captivating and insightful as some of the others and maybe not the best choice for the first story of this selection. 6.5/10
"All You Zombies --"- This story involves time travel. The little you know the better (or perhaps that might just be my justification since it is mind-blowingly complex and I can't say even I completely understand it). 7.5/10
Tunesmith- A story that combines music and science and emotion. An interesting story, but perhaps I need to reread it to feel the full effect. 6/10
*A Saucer of Loneliness- A must read. Minimal science fiction elements means that most anyone can pick this up and enjoy. Very powerful message and definitely resonated with me in the end. 9/10
*Robot Dreams- What do you know? Apparently, Asimov and this story helped inspired the movie I, Robot. Short, thought-provoking story. 8/10
Devolution- A story about aliens and the beginning of humanity. Not quite as powerful as I would have hoped. 6.5/10
The Nine Billion Names of God- The title says a great deal. Essentially, the story is about these monks that believe once they find all of the names of God the world will end. I was not fond of this story; it simply didn't hold anything for me in plot or message. 3.5/10
A Work of Art- The twist at the end was interesting but the story was a little hard to get through. Ironically, this was not due to the science elements but due to the music elements. 6.5/10
*Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed- A story of a family adjusting to life on Mars. Very fascinating. 8/10
*"Repent, Harlequin!" Said the Ticktockman- an odd story to be sure with a dystopian feel mixed in with children storytelling elements, it's an entertaining read to say the least. 7.5/10
Eurema's Dam- I felt the story started off with potential but I didn't quite get the ending. Truly, I didn't remember the story for this little review and had to look at it in the book again. 5/10
Passengers- A story about alien(s) or forces called "Passengers" that "ride" humans for a few days making them due odd and embarrassing things. An interesting premise, an interesting world-building, I felt the plot twist at the end cut it short from what I wanted to see in it. 7/10
*The Tunnel under the World- Twist after twist after twist. I think it might be better going into this one blind. 8.5/10
Who Can Replace a Man?- A story about robots and what they decide to do when they think mankind is over. Again, another ending that I felt left me unsatisfied. It was going well until then. 6/10
The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas- The ending...good, good. I won't spoil it here but even though the story has a lot of the happy fantasy at first it does go further, darker. 6.5/10
*Inconstant Moon- What would you do if you thought this was your last night? What if the world restarted? Kept me going, kept me thinking. 8/10
*Sandkings- George, George, George. This story was fucking creepy. I wonder about him sometimes. Where do his Sandkings hide? Insert evil hand gesture here. 9.5/10
The Road Not Taken- A story about space bears. Very interesting. 7/10
Dogfight- It took me two tries to get through this one. The world building is interesting but the flight simulations/fights didn't interest me and therefore, bogged down the story. Also, with the ending, I simply don't like characters that make the douchey move and then want pity. 6/10
Face Value- Interesting, but not one of my favorites. A story of a human couple studying on a different planet these humanoid creatures with useless wings that have a design of human faces. Creepy. 6.5/10
Pots- A story about a cloned man who finds out about a conspiracy. Not as interesting as it sounds. This one had a hard time keeping my attention and I didn't feel like keeping with it paid out. 4/10
*Snow- A man who deals with the death of his wife with this technology that can glimpse random moments in her life. I really loved this story. 9/10
Rat- A story about a rat drug-dealer and a drug called "Dust". I liked the idea of this new drug but everything else was kind of a flop for me. 2/10
Bears Discover Fire- The title is the story. I read the story. Still haven't gotten more out of it than just what the title says... 2/10
A Clean Escape- Fancy little story, this. I liked it. Kept you guessing. I don't think I can really say much without giving something away. So...I'll say nothing. Ha! 7.5/10
Tourists- Not the best story. It's about a tourist who loses the person he was with and all of his belongings and slowly seeps into this country that he doesn't know. Didn't really care for this one. 4/10
One- A story about a couple that go into space searching for life. A bit bland and the grandness of the ending's message just doesn't match with the little feeling I got out of it. 5/10
Overall, I guess you could say this is a great introduction to the world of short story science fiction because it definitely was for me.
rafalreadersinitiative's review
3.0
Zbiór opowiadań arcymistrzów science-fiction, choć niekoniecznie "arcydzieł", zarówno gatunku, jak i dorobku poszczególnych pisarzy. "Selekcjoner" podszedł do sprawy dość subiektywnie i posłużył się kluczem doboru raczej mniej powszechnie znanych - ale, zważywszy na nagrody, jakimi je obsypano, uznanych - krótkich form mistrzów fantastyki naukowej. Oczywiście, gusta pozostają gustami, ale w kilku przypadkach do zaszczytnego miana arcydzieł, niektórym z zamieszczonych tu opowiadań, co nieco, brakuje. Owszem, są to bez wyjątku rzeczy dobre, bardzo dobre, świetne, czy wręcz znakomite, ale ciężko tu doszukać się czegoś, co pozostawiłoby czytelnika z uczuciem obcowania z czymś bezapelacyjnie wielkim, czy wręcz można by uznać to za kamień milowy w historii gatunku.
Zbiór jednakowo jest o tyleż dobry, że początkującemu i poszukującemu miłośnikowi science-fiction, może wskazać autorów, których czytać trzeba i należy, chociaż - każdy kij ma dwa końca - w wielu przypadkach, niestety, ilość ich dzieł, dostępna i przetłumaczona na nasz język ojczysty, jest, delikatnie rzecz ujmując, bardzo uboga (zwłaszcza, jeśli chodzi o nazwiska z części książki, prezentującej twórców tzw. Nowej Fali).
Podsumowując, bardzo dobry zbiorek, z opowiadaniami - które warto przeczytać - twórców, do nieznajomości których, po prostu lepiej się w kulturalnym towarzystwie nie przyznawać. Poza tym dużo nostalgii, wywołanej z obcowaniem ze "starym, dobrym, science-fiction". A czy te "Arcydzieła..." to naprawdę arcydzieła? Cóż, nie wszystkie...
Zbiór jednakowo jest o tyleż dobry, że początkującemu i poszukującemu miłośnikowi science-fiction, może wskazać autorów, których czytać trzeba i należy, chociaż - każdy kij ma dwa końca - w wielu przypadkach, niestety, ilość ich dzieł, dostępna i przetłumaczona na nasz język ojczysty, jest, delikatnie rzecz ujmując, bardzo uboga (zwłaszcza, jeśli chodzi o nazwiska z części książki, prezentującej twórców tzw. Nowej Fali).
Podsumowując, bardzo dobry zbiorek, z opowiadaniami - które warto przeczytać - twórców, do nieznajomości których, po prostu lepiej się w kulturalnym towarzystwie nie przyznawać. Poza tym dużo nostalgii, wywołanej z obcowaniem ze "starym, dobrym, science-fiction". A czy te "Arcydzieła..." to naprawdę arcydzieła? Cóż, nie wszystkie...
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