Ulla Ulla by Eric Brown (2002)The discovery by an astronaut that the Martians described by H.G. Wells' novel "War of the Worlds" really exist. Traces of them have been found on Mars, but they perished before they had a chance to land on Earth.
Death Day by Peter F. Hamilton (1991)
The struggle between a survivor on a remote space colony and a shape-shifting alien, whose species have been annihilated by humans.
[Reads more like a horror story.]
The Infinite Assassin by Greg Egan (1991)
In a world where drugs allow people to visit other dimensions, an agent is regularly sent out to kill those who menace the continuity of Earth. Unfortunately, this time the "enemy" is stronger and manages to get the upper hand.
[I don't like stories where the idea of what 'reality' is, is very thin.]
Anachron by Damon Knight (1953)
The story of two eccentric Italian brothers who have devised a time travelling machine. How it divides them and how they seek revenge on each other using this invention.
[Not the best time travel story I've read, but a fine example of what fear and greed can do to people.]
Firewatch by Connie Willis (1982)
In the future, a student is sent to the past for his practicum. Unfortunately for him, the Dean has selected a period he knows nothing about: London in 1940. There, he experiences the near constant bombing of the capital by the Germans. He also learns to live with the locals and discovers what the mysterious 'Firewatch' is all about.
[Very much like her "Doomsday Book" novel. The details are so precise it almost reads like a historical tale rather than scifi.]
At The 'Me' Shop by Robert Reed (1995)
A young man who works into a shop that sells holograms, discovers that he is not who he thought he was.
A Ticket to Tranai by Robert Sheckley (1955)
A disillusioned man travels to Tranai, a planet where people supposedly live in perfect harmony. However, once there, he discovers that their absolute freedom is due to a total absence of laws and respect.
[Amusing in places, but R.S’s treatment of women is appalling. A typical example of the type of garbage certain writers indulged in before the 1970‘s.]
Vinland The Dream by Kin Stanley Robinson (1991)
An archaeologist reflects on his opinion that what everyone knows about Greenland's occupation by the Vikings may all be a big lie. It seems that in the 1820's, a mysterious man planted fake clues related to the Vikings and their travels.
[The end is a bit disappointing, but it's nonetheless a story with a nice atmosphere.]
The Exit Door Leads In by Phillip K. Dick (1979)
Distopia. A young man is enrolled by force into a mysterious university where his loyalty is put to the test. However, his 'opponents' are not who he thinks they are.
What Have I Done? by Mark Clifton (1952)
A psychologist is contacted by aliens who want to blend in, so that they can take control of the planet in a quiet way, instead of using violence. Because he will get killed if he doesn't accept to help them, he does so. But he only teaches them the positive traits of mankind, hoping men's real nature will ultimately defeat these aliens.
[Pleasant story, but very much dated. It is difficult to believe that intelligent aliens wouldn't notice all the bad aspects of mankind. A simple glance at our history would reveal what "humanity" is truly about.]
Finis by Frank Millie Pollock (1906)
The final days of a man and a woman, as planet Earth is being destroyed by a giant sun.
[Interesting story, considering it was written more than a century ago. It is certainly dated, but isn't half as bad as certain tales written in the 1950's.]
The final days of a man and a woman, as planet Earth is being destroyed by a giant sun.
[Interesting story, considering it was written more than a century ago. It is certainly dated, but isn't half as bad as certain tales written in the 1950's.]
The Last Days of Earth by George C. Wallis (1901)
In a distant future, the last day of a couple living on a frozen Earth.
[Interesting description of what future technology will be, considering it was written in 1901.]
In a distant future, the last day of a couple living on a frozen Earth.
[Interesting description of what future technology will be, considering it was written in 1901.]
Approaching Perimelasma by Geoffrey A. Landis (1997)
The thoughts of a re-created mind, as it explores the inside of a black hole (the only way for mankind to achieve such a feat.)
[Interesting story on what it means to be a unique individual.]
The thoughts of a re-created mind, as it explores the inside of a black hole (the only way for mankind to achieve such a feat.)
[Interesting story on what it means to be a unique individual.]
The Pen and the Dark by Colin Knapp (1966)
Two reputed engineers are sent to planet Ithica to solve a mystery: A giant obelisk has appeared on the ruins of an old city. Its shadow is difficult to explore and the 'pen' itself is impregnable.
[The dialogue between the characters is old fashioned and, although there is a nice sense of mystery, the end is a complete let down. There is no answer as to why the obelisk appeared in the first place.]
Two reputed engineers are sent to planet Ithica to solve a mystery: A giant obelisk has appeared on the ruins of an old city. Its shadow is difficult to explore and the 'pen' itself is impregnable.
[The dialogue between the characters is old fashioned and, although there is a nice sense of mystery, the end is a complete let down. There is no answer as to why the obelisk appeared in the first place.]
Inanimate Objection by H. Chandler Elliott (1954)
Two doctors are studying the odd case of a patient (a retired major) who claims that every object has a mind of its own. They dislike the ordered world that we have created and do all they can to 'misbehave' and provoke chaos.
[Nice take on the 'gremlins' theory, with witty dialogues.]
Two doctors are studying the odd case of a patient (a retired major) who claims that every object has a mind of its own. They dislike the ordered world that we have created and do all they can to 'misbehave' and provoke chaos.
[Nice take on the 'gremlins' theory, with witty dialogues.]
The Very Pulse of the Machine by Michael Swanwick (1998)
Io. After an accident that killed her partner, a female astronaut struggles to return to the Lander that brought them there. While she is dragging the body of the dead astronaut behind her, the heroine is contacted by what appears to be an intelligent machine that controls everything on Io. [Good characterisation and vivid description of the planet.]
Io. After an accident that killed her partner, a female astronaut struggles to return to the Lander that brought them there. While she is dragging the body of the dead astronaut behind her, the heroine is contacted by what appears to be an intelligent machine that controls everything on Io. [Good characterisation and vivid description of the planet.]
High Eight by Keith Roberts (1965)
'X-Files' type story where a power station is controlled by an evil entity who starts killing people. It reaches them through any electrical device present in their house or work place.
Shards by Brian Aldis (1962)
Experimental story with two creatures locked in a giant container. The reader is treated to their thoughts as they develop a consciousness of where and what they are.
[Spoiler: They are the result of a military experiment crossing man and fish. This is to spy on a race of aquatic aliens who have started to invade the seas.]
'X-Files' type story where a power station is controlled by an evil entity who starts killing people. It reaches them through any electrical device present in their house or work place.
Shards by Brian Aldis (1962)
Experimental story with two creatures locked in a giant container. The reader is treated to their thoughts as they develop a consciousness of where and what they are.
[Spoiler: They are the result of a military experiment crossing man and fish. This is to spy on a race of aquatic aliens who have started to invade the seas.]
Except My Life 3 by John Morressy (1991)
Detective story with a 1930's atmosphere. Three clones are hired by a very rich actress come director to supervise the rehearsal of the most sophisticated theatre version of Hamlet ever produced. When a murder occurs, one of the clones pieces certain facts together to catch the culprit.
[Although it's sometimes uneasy to read, there is a clever trick to determine which of the clone is speaking/interacting.]
[Spoiler: Who did it: The woman with whom clone3 falls in love with. She was in fact impersonating Lord Proteus. She killed the clone actor because he was actually her brother, but refused to recognised her as such, denying her any chance of public fame.]
Detective story with a 1930's atmosphere. Three clones are hired by a very rich actress come director to supervise the rehearsal of the most sophisticated theatre version of Hamlet ever produced. When a murder occurs, one of the clones pieces certain facts together to catch the culprit.
[Although it's sometimes uneasy to read, there is a clever trick to determine which of the clone is speaking/interacting.]
[Spoiler: Who did it: The woman with whom clone3 falls in love with. She was in fact impersonating Lord Proteus. She killed the clone actor because he was actually her brother, but refused to recognised her as such, denying her any chance of public fame.]
Into Your Tent I'll Creep by Eric Frank Russell (1957)
Amusing story where an alien visiting Earth discovers that the dominating species aren't humans, but dogs. These obtain everything they want from the men and women who keep them, unaware of what is going on.
Quotes from this story:
The supreme test of intelligence is the ability to live as one pleases without working.
The art of retribution is that of concealing it beyond all suspicion.
The sharpest, most subtle, most effective weapon in the cosmos if flattery.
To rule successfully the ruled must be unconscious of it.
Amusing story where an alien visiting Earth discovers that the dominating species aren't humans, but dogs. These obtain everything they want from the men and women who keep them, unaware of what is going on.
Quotes from this story:
The supreme test of intelligence is the ability to live as one pleases without working.
The art of retribution is that of concealing it beyond all suspicion.
The sharpest, most subtle, most effective weapon in the cosmos if flattery.
To rule successfully the ruled must be unconscious of it.
A Death in the House by Clifford D. Simak (1959)
A recluse farmer finds an alien near his property. He helps him back to health and, despite their inability to communicate verbally, he manages to assist him with the repairs of his spacecraft. He even gives him all his saving in the process.
[A heart-warming story about friendship.]
A recluse farmer finds an alien near his property. He helps him back to health and, despite their inability to communicate verbally, he manages to assist him with the repairs of his spacecraft. He even gives him all his saving in the process.
[A heart-warming story about friendship.]
Refugium by Stephen Baxter (2002)
Two humans travelling in space discover that an advanced species is gathering all the civilisations present in the universe. They place them in a safer environment, protected from all the natural dangers prevalent in their original galaxies.
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