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Misc. Update - June


June 25, 2006

Philip M. Fisher "Fungus Isle" -
something incredible... in a class of itself. Very rare and maybe the best treatment of alien ecology / bizarre environment exploration: truly spectacular experience. I hope they reprint this gem soon.
Certainly solid THIRD PLACE SF NOVELLA from the Classic Years. Never going to look on a mushroom the same again.

Clark Ashton Smith "The Seed from the Sepulcher" -
truly marvelous example of "pulp science fiction/ weird menace" story; in fact exemplifies the form...
SECOND PLACE SF STORY from the Classic Years
plus certainly the creepiest in "plants-alive" sub-genre. Perfect Pulp Entertainment !

June 23, 2006

Stanley Weinbaum "The Adaptive Ultimate"
and "The Redemption Cairn" -
both made my day; splendid and intense stuff

Clifford Simak "No Life Of The Their Own" -
charming, and kinda like "Hogbens series" of Henry Kuttner.

Jack Williamson "The Wolves Of Darkness" -
blew my mind with an intensity of color and action, and went to
SECOND PLACE SF NOVELLA of the Classic Years
Can't describe it, do yourself a favour and read it.

Start_5103_small

June 19, 2006

THE BEST IN NOIR SF !

I just finished wonderfully "noir" and stylish short novel from 1936:
Cornell Woolrich"Jane Brown's Body"
Not only did I discover very capable pulp-writer, but this novella went up to third place in sf -
for style and atmosphere. A certain gem...



June 15, 2006


Incredible finds:
RAREST NOVEL BY EDMOND HAMILTON "The Universe Wreckers"
in Amazing Stories, 1930 - never reprinted ever since; found on Russian site, translated by enthusiasts! - can't wait to read it.

FIRST PLACE "SPACE SF" NOVELLA !!
WOW! Finished reading truly epic (also never-before reprinted) novel by
Edmond Hamilton "The Three Planeteers"
@1940, Startling Stories
- it went toFIRST PLACE in pulp space adventure!
Total joyous romp through classic universe, with all "thunder and color" you could hope for. "Star Wars"-quality action, but bigger, better and with more feeling.
(get it in English on www.fictionwise.com site)



As for the modern "Awesome Space Adventure Story" -

Try novelette by William Barton "Down in the Dark"
(see author's entry for details)...
it went to THIRD PLACE in science fiction space adventure story.
Very emotional, lyrical, slightly depressing, but totally uplifting in the end - with precise narrative and Technicolor-bright depiction of an alien world.
Check it out! You can find it in "Year's Best SF # 16", ed. by Gardner Dozois.




Also read some very amazing but, unfortunately, very rare stories:
Kenneth Bulmer "Strange Highway" in Science Fantasy, 1960
- possibly the best ever writing from that writer, and mind-blowing idea, deserving a reprint.
Malcolm Jameson "Train for Flushing" in Weird Tales, 1940 ...excellent stuff. Most amazing time-travel story I had ever read.




---------------------------------------
Recent Reading
(see rating under corresponding author entry)

Alastair Reynolds "Pushing Ice"
Michael Swanwick "Vacuum Flowers"
Leigh Brackett "The Starmen of Llyrdis" - great space adventure!

"Omnibus of Science Fiction" ed. by Groff Conklin, 1952
- awesome anthology of great stories from the pulps!

many stories by Clark Ashton Smith from "Weird Tales"
Raymond F. Jones "The Wrong Side of Paradise"
Richard Matheson "The Distributor"
Oscar J. Friend "The Water World"
Leigh Brackett "Interplanetary Reporter"

Famous Fantasic Mysteries, April 1940
- very rare story by H. Thompson Rich
"The Beast Plants" - THE BEST "plants-come-alive" story!
This author published mostly in "Weird Tales" pulp...
most delicious.
Also reading very rare MARVEL STORIES, APR 1941 pulp






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"SF&F Reading Experience" is part of "Dark Roasted Blend / Thrilling Wonder" family of sites. We try to highlight the most entertaining and rewarding science fiction and fantasy, with emphasis on memorable reader experience, not necessarily general acceptance by the critics. Have fun, and delve into our extensive ratings and reviews!

Most reviews are written by Avi Abrams, unless otherwise noted. Reviews also appear on our unique historical retrospective page Wonder Timeline of Science Fiction. Feel free to submit your own review, if a particular story is not listed here.


All major OFFICIAL AWARDS are highlighted in BLUE
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--/ cool : (equal to fifth place)
ALL "BEST OF" LISTS ARE LOCATED HERE

These awards are given in the following categories:
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Also, there are our personal STYLE / GENRE SPECIFIC AWARDS. These reflect the story's content and the lasting impression on the reader:

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