The collected stories of Arthur C. Clarke

Review by Booklist Review

This may be the single-author sf collection of the decade, even though the decade has barely begun, for it contains all the shorter fiction by Sir Arthur C. Clarke that he wishes to preserve, and he is one of the authentic pioneers and shapers of sf in English. Although most of these stories date from between 1946 and 1970, seven earlier tales, rescued from what would now be called fanzines, extend coverage back to 1937, and a few snippets stretch it toward the present. At least two dozen stories bear titles that are household words among sf readers--"The Sentinel" (progenitor of the 2001 saga), "The Nine Billion Names of God," "The Songs of Distant Earth," etc., not to mention all of the whimsical Tales from the White Hart. The stories demonstrate Clarke's dazzling and unique combination of command of the language, scientific and other kinds of erudition, and inimitable wit. Add early-twentieth-century English philosopher-novelist Olaf Stapledon's influence, which Clarke freely acknowledges, and it is possible to feel that if the term sense of wonder didn't exist, it would have to be now to describe what Clarke's majestic narratives evoke. --Roland Green

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by Library Journal Review

Bringing together more than six decades of sf short stories that have helped to mold the genre, this collection of short fiction by Grandmaster Clarke serves as a definitive example of sf at its best. From such classic tales as "The Nine Billion Names of God" and "The Hammer of God" to lesser-known early tales and everything in between, this collection displays the author's fertile imagination and irrepressible enthusiasm for both good storytelling and impeccable science. With over 100 stories and nearly 1000 pages, this volume by the award-winning author of 2001: A Space Odyssey makes a fine addition to any library's short story or sf collection. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

A massive compendium brings together (most probably) every story—104 in total, at least 3 previously uncollected—ever written by grandmaster Clarke (3001: The Final Odyssey, 1997, etc). The contents range from Clarke’s first published yarn, the mischievous matter-transmitter tale “Travel by Wire” in 1937, to “Improving the Neighbourhood,” his 1997 warning to the readers of the scholarly journal Nature to disregard at their peril experimental results that don’t fit in with accepted theory. Several stories developed into novels: “The Hammer of God,” “The Songs of Distant Earth,” “Earthlight,” “Guardian Angel” (the genesis for Clarke’s greatest novel, Childhood’s End), and of course, “The Sentinel,” which, with Stanley Kubrick, begot the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, which in turn begot the book. Scattered among these are dozens of other famous tales. And Clarke’s sole short-story collaboration, with Stephen Baxter (co-author with Clarke of The Light of Other Days, p. 154) is, intriguingly, a playful yet hard-edged counterpart/commentary/development of “Travel by Wire.” Curiously, perhaps ironically, Clarke—a writer whose stories largely depend on strict scientific accuracy, and whose optimism about technology is tinged with healthy skepticism—has garnered his greatest accolades for stories where metaphysical concerns reach an almost religious intensity. With his awesome inventiveness, sure grasp of scientific principle, readability, openness, and utter lack of viciousness or meanness, it’s easy to understand why Clarke became the single most famous and influential non-American SF writer of the post–WW II period. If you are unacquainted with Clarke—possible, though barely—begin here at once. If you’re old friends: Browse. Enjoy. Wonder.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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