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A review by bigenk
Nebula Award Stories by Damon Knight
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
This being the first anthology of short stories that I've read, I'm struggling to think of how to give it a rating. I'm think of rating them like music albums; rating them as a whole, rather than individually. I also don't really feel like talking about the stories that I didn't like, or felt indifferent about, because that would mean that these reviews take a long time to write.
If we're to do it that way, then I would definitely say this one is mixed. Half of the stories are nonsensical, out-dated, or dull. Because of them, I struggled to make it through the collection as a whole. Which was unfortunate, because there are a few flawed gems here too.
-He Who Shapes, by Roger Zelazney-
I didn't realize that the novella that was fleshed out into The Dream Master was in this collection until I started reading it, and it was a pleasant surprise. A wonderfully original concept, pared with some good prose and a kicker of an ending. Probably won't read The Dream Master for awhile, but I'm interested to see how this was fleshed out into a longer work.
-The Salvia Tree, by Brian Aldiss-
A Lovecraftian story about first contact with invisible aliens in a pastoral setting. A little long-winded and stately, but enjoyable and atmospheric. I really enjoyed how the story builds, leading up to a chaotic and quick finish.
-"Repent Harlequin!" Said the Ticktockman, by Harlan Ellison-
I have read very little Ellison, but this has convinced me to read more. A short story about a dystopia heavily influenced by time and scheduling. What really blew me away was the prose. The seeming ease of the writing, and yet so much depth and description. Excellent little thing.
-The Drowned Giant, by J.G. Ballard-
The last story in this anthology, and a really short one. Ballard's prose is on point, and he so effectively creates a tone and a feeling in a limited amount of words. Melancholic and gruesome, yet also full of awe. Not much other than that, but good for what it was.
The disparity in the stories in this anthology leaves me feeling rather middling about the whole thing. Some real clunkers that clogged the whole thing, with nothing superb to balance it out. It's fun though to see a years worth of stories in one place. I have a few of the books in the series, and I'm sure that some years are better than others.
If we're to do it that way, then I would definitely say this one is mixed. Half of the stories are nonsensical, out-dated, or dull. Because of them, I struggled to make it through the collection as a whole. Which was unfortunate, because there are a few flawed gems here too.
-He Who Shapes, by Roger Zelazney-
I didn't realize that the novella that was fleshed out into The Dream Master was in this collection until I started reading it, and it was a pleasant surprise. A wonderfully original concept, pared with some good prose and a kicker of an ending. Probably won't read The Dream Master for awhile, but I'm interested to see how this was fleshed out into a longer work.
-The Salvia Tree, by Brian Aldiss-
A Lovecraftian story about first contact with invisible aliens in a pastoral setting. A little long-winded and stately, but enjoyable and atmospheric. I really enjoyed how the story builds, leading up to a chaotic and quick finish.
-"Repent Harlequin!" Said the Ticktockman, by Harlan Ellison-
I have read very little Ellison, but this has convinced me to read more. A short story about a dystopia heavily influenced by time and scheduling. What really blew me away was the prose. The seeming ease of the writing, and yet so much depth and description. Excellent little thing.
-The Drowned Giant, by J.G. Ballard-
The last story in this anthology, and a really short one. Ballard's prose is on point, and he so effectively creates a tone and a feeling in a limited amount of words. Melancholic and gruesome, yet also full of awe. Not much other than that, but good for what it was.
The disparity in the stories in this anthology leaves me feeling rather middling about the whole thing. Some real clunkers that clogged the whole thing, with nothing superb to balance it out. It's fun though to see a years worth of stories in one place. I have a few of the books in the series, and I'm sure that some years are better than others.