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Title: The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Vol. 1: 1929-1964
Series: The Science Fiction Hall of Fame #1
Editor: Robert Silverberg
Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 576
Format: Trade paperback
| Synopsis: |
A collection of short stories voted by members of the Science Fiction Authors Guild (or something or other like that) as the best of. A popularity contest of stories from the 30’s to the 60’s. No author had more than one story and the book was presented chronologically, so we as the readers could see how things progressed storywise in 30 years.
| My Thoughts: |
Danielle from Books, Vertigo and Tea reviewed this recently and brought it to my attention. What a fantastic read.
First off, this was originally published back in 1970, I believe. It was released again in 2005 and then just released digitally in 2018. Obviously not a new book. I read this at lunch beginning sometime in March and just finished it this past week. Short stories really lend themselves to no pressure reading and going at a slow pace. Sometimes you need that in a busy, hectic book life like mine.
I had read over ½ of these 26 stories, as growing up in the 80’s and addicted to SF meant I was familiar with almost all of these authors, even if just by name. This was good stuff! If you’ve never read Vintage SF, this is a good place to start. Even if you don’t like every story (and I didn’t like every one either), you’ll get the flavor of what those years produced and if an author strikes your fancy, you can then go on and investigate on your own.
In many ways, I think that Science Fiction shines through the short story medium. Ideas are presented and there is no extraneous fluff or junk to ruin it. And if your imagination isn’t up to snuff to get you excited about ideas, then you probably shouldn’t be reading SF in the first place.
I bought this used in trade paperback through Amazon but I think the stories are good enough that I’m going to have to put the hardcover on my wishlist. In terms of Short Story Collections, this falls squarely between Asimov’s Complete Stories Vol 1 and Asimov’s Complete Stories Vol 2. I do plan on buying, in used trade paperback again, Volumes 2 & 3, which are the best novella’s of that time period. Hopefully they are as good as these stories.
★★★★★
I’ve got both Asimov volumes. Sometimes I look at them and think: “how nice it would be to re-read them…” and even writing a review about them…
Silverberg always has good taste.
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I’d like to see you review them too. I found them fascinating…
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Me too. After scratching my Phil Dick itch (there may be something wrong with this sentence…), I think I’ll tackle Asimov.
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That would be awesome…
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Rare that a short story collection can render 5star reviews. Great it must be
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Yeah, most short story collections have a real mix of good and bad. Thankfully, this was about 90% good 🙂
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Oh I definitely wanna try out more vintage SF, especially Asimov, so this sounds awesome!
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It’s a really nice entry point. Read a short story here and there, no pressure to finish 🙂
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Collections are not for me, short stories rarely are as developed in the plot and character department as I would like them to be, but I’m pleasantly surprised to see you give a five star to something!
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Yeah, 5 stars are super rare these days. Mostly only re-reads get them now 😉
At least you know this about short stories. I do mostly prefer collections of them by the same author, less chance of getting a bunch of stinkers.
I guess raw SF isn’t going to be one your favorites then 😀 😀
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So cool to see that it turned out an excellent volume to your eyes. Will definitely keep this high up on my priority.
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And since it was a collection of short stories, unless you’re one of those people who review every story in a collection, you can take your time reading the whole thing. Fit in a story here one day, another another day.
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I think this is one of the few 5 stars I’ve seen from you… adding it to the TBR.
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Yeah, I’m wicked stingy with my 5stars. Most books get 4.5 until I read them again and like them just as much 🙂
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An anthology that merits 5 stars is one to keep on one’s radar, indeed!
Thanks for sharing 🙂
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I think part of why I liked this so much is that it did a really good job of showing all the various styles of writing of Vintage SF.
I think this would serve as a good litmus test. If you enjoy the majority of the stories in this collection, you’ll probably enjoy vintage sf. Conversely, if you don’t like it, you’re probably better served staying away from vintage sf altogether 🙂
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Well, I guess it’s a little more complicated than that, because my SF reading “career” started some 40 – 45 years ago, so many of the books I read back then might be considered vintage by now. What I’m not certain about, considering that tastes change and evolve with time, is wether I would still like the books I enjoyed then, or if I would find them – and/or the writing – obsolete. There is no other way of discovering that but to read those stories, I guess… 🙂
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Oh, I didn’t realize you had that deep a history already 🙂
I guess a re-read would show more about changing tastes indeed than initial interest.
I shall now refer to you as the Wise and Venerable Maddalena.
Or is that Mad Dalena? Because if you’re a crazy old nutbag, I can work with that too 😉
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ROTFLMAO!
Yes, indeed the “crazy old crone” label would be more appropriate…
😀 😀 😀
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This sounds like a great read, if it’s a short story collection that can rate 5 stars! I completely agree with you, though, that short stories are a great medium for sci-fi.
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Most short story collections have at least one bomb. Thankfully, this didn’t. Some of them I didn’t care for, but I didn’t feel like I had wasted my time.
And thanks for the follow and comment too. Appreciate that.
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I guess that’s why it’s a “best of” collection. 🙂
I’ve seen your comments on several blogs we both follow, so I thought it was time I checked out your actual blog. Glad I did!
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Well, I’ve seen enough “best of” that really stank that now, I’m really leery. This was just a pleasant surprise.
Hope you enjoy any time spent here…
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