Four For the Future
★★★★★
The Circulation of the Blood… by Brian W. Aldiss (1966) ⭐
I don’t know if Aldiss was deliberately writing a condescending protagonist in an abusive relationship, but he succeeded. The story was thin, consisting mostly of pontificating and a cringeworthy adultery plot which entirely failed to prop up the philosophical rationale of the story.
…And the Stagnation of the Heart by Brian W. Aldiss (1968) ⭐
Same characters with added nonsense.
High Treason by Poul Anderson (1966) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A solider’s monologue as he awaits execution over his unwillingness to undertake a war crime, not because of its horror but because of its consequences. Over just fourteen pages Anderson convincingly world builds a galactic conflict and politics, writes some beautiful prose, and hits us with a meaty moral quandary.
The Dipteroid Phenomenon by Poul Anderson (1969) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
While scientists are surveying a fallen planet that was once part of a galactic empire, one of them is murdered by a native. A clash of cultural norms is set against a need for revenge and culminates in a beautifully written dénouement.
A Hero’s Life by James Blish (1966) ⭐
I read this one twice and still found it hard to follow. Blish does rewrite this story in a later collection stating that he wrote this version in a rush, so maybe it’s not just me.
Skysign by James Blish (1968) ⭐
Another dislikable main character, but this time intentionally so from Blish. Dated street talk, period derogatory slang, along with misogyny being central to the story make this one unenjoyable. As a character development point it’s implied the protagonist mass-raped unconscious women without any consequential follow-up in the plot.
The God’s Themselves Throw Incense by Harry Harrison (1966) ⭐⭐
Three survivors in an escape pod have enough air for two… Whilst this is a story we’ve seen before, Harrison executes it competently as the thin veneer of civilised behaviour breaks down.
The Ghoul Squad by Harry Harrison (1968) ⭐⭐
A story about opt-in organ donation. Neatly done, but not really much in the way of SF here.
