The Great SF Stories Volume 2, 1940. edited by Isaac Asimov and Martin H. Greenberg
THE GREAT STORIES VOLUME 2, 1940.
RATED 84% POSITIVE. STORY SCORE = 3.94 / 5
16 STORIES: 4 GREAT / 7 GOOD / 5 AVERAGE / 0 POOR / 0 DNF.
Not every acclaimed story from 1940 holds up in 2021, but even the weaker entries of this anthology are more charming than those of Volume 1 and Volume 3 (both reviewed elsewhere on this blog.). The authors seem more confident and there is a sense on fun that makes this very pleasant to read.
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Asimov and Greenberg once again provide pithy introductions to the authors and their work, arranging the stories in publication order. They also don’t hesitate to include multiple stories from authors who deserve it; Ross Rocklynne, Theodore Sturgeon, and L. Sprague de Camp. As usual for these anthologies, multiple stories from Robert A Heinlein are not included because of issues with licensing - although the titles and introductions to the stories are still included.
Four of the stories make my Great List:
Into the Darkness • (1940) • novelette by Ross Rocklynne. An epic story of a huge entity who searches for meaning across literally hundreds of millions of years. This is ambitious and structurally experimental in a way that most science fiction of this era isn’t. Wildly creative and enthralling.
It • (1940) • novelette by Theodore Sturgeon. This is a tale of science fictional horror. A plant-based monster interacts with a rural family that is having its own issues. What makes this great is the mixture of brutality, humanity, and alien consciousness. Sturgeon’s knack for deeply human characters is on display here, even extending to the monster. It isn’t evil, just curious, but the last sentence in one of the most chilling that I have ever read. An absolute masterpiece and you will probably be able to think of many stories that “It” has inspired.
Vault of the Beast • (1940) • novelette by A. E. van Vogt. A shapeshifter robot is sent to bring a mathematician to Mars with the purpose of unlocking the building that holds within it a giant crashed being. There is a lot going on here with van Vogt jumping across many different POV characters and almost into different genres of Sci-Fi, but it is smart and it works.
Farewell to the Master • (1940) • novelette by Harry Bates. The classic story of first contact gone violently wrong. When aliens arrive, a fearful humanity shoots and kills the alien. Later, a reporter investigates the mysterious happenings that are stirring within the spacecraft. This is the story that inspired the classic SF movie “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” but it is very different. Both the story and film are masterpieces, but contain separate scenes, characters, and themes. The tone of this story is quiet, haunting, and mysterious. A true classic.
THE GREAT STORIES VOLUME 2, 1940 IS RATED 84%.
16 STORIES: 4 GREAT / 7 GOOD / 5 AVERAGE / 0 POOR / 0 DNF.
How do I arrive at a rating?
The Dwindling Sphere • (1940) • short story by Willard Hawkins
Average. The discovery of Plastocene creates great riches for a family and transforms the world.
The Automatic Pistol • (1940) • short story by Fritz Leiber
Good. Fun fantasy story of small-time bootleggers and one criminal’s creepy fascination with his gun.
Hindsight • (1940) • short story by Jack Williamson
Good. A scientist who renounced his allegiance to Earth and joined a dictatorship has a second chance in the middle of a decisive battle.
Postpaid to Paradise • (1940) • short story by Robert Arthur
Good. Cute fantasy about stamps that transport things (and people) to the strange land of El Dorado.
Into the Darkness • (1940) • novelette by Ross Rocklynne
Great. An epic story of a huge entity who searches for meaning across literally hundreds of millions of years. Wildly creative and enthralling.
Dark Mission • (1940) • short story by Lester del Rey
Average. A man from Mars arrives on Earth to disrupt a space launch.
It • (1940) • novelette by Theodore Sturgeon
Great. A terrifying story of an emergent monster who comes into contact with a rural family.
Vault of the Beast • (1940) • novelette by A. E. van Vogt
Great. A shapeshifter robot is sent to bring a mathematician to Mars with the purpose of unlocking the building that holds within it a giant crashed being.
The Impossible Highway • (1940) • short story by Oscar J. Friend
Good. Two scientists, lost in the woods, find an impossible road and pillars that present specimens that tell the story of life on earth.
Quietus • (1940) • short story by Ross Rocklynne
Good. Bird-aliens land on a volcanically destroyed earth with disastrous results for the last man and woman.
Strange Playfellow • (1940) • short story by Isaac Asimov
Good. A child’s parents take away their daughters robot friend.
The Warrior Race • (1940) • short story by L. Sprague de Camp
Average. Lessons from history help repel an occupation by warrior spacemen.
Farewell to the Master • (1940) • novelette by Harry Bates
Great. The classic story of first contact gone violently wrong. When aliens arrive, a fearful humanity shoots and kills the alien. But a reporter investigates the mysterious happenings that are stirring within the spacecraft.
Butyl and the Breather • [Ether Breather] • (1940) • novelette by Theodore Sturgeon
Average. A being that exists within television is brought back by noxious odors.
The Exalted • [Johnny Black] • (1940) • novelette by L. Sprague de Camp
Average. A super intelligent bear deals with the pranks of a mad professor at Yale.
Old Man Mulligan • (1940) • novelette by P. Schuyler Miller
Good. An eternal Neanderthal is drawn into a kidnapping adventure that involves a trek across the dangerous surface of Venus.
