Stellar 4. edited by Judy-Lynn del Rey. 1978
STELLAR 4
RATED 100% POSITIVE. STORY SCORE 4.3 OF 5
6 STORIES : 2 GREAT / 4 GOOD / 0 AVERAGE / 0 POOR / 0 DNF
It is that rarest of all things on this blog, a 100% positive anthology. It is certainly easier with only 6 stories, but it is high risk as well. Only 1 poor story can get you down to an 83%
The Stellar Science Fiction Anthology series published original short stories in seven volumes between 1974 and 1981. I was able to grab the entire series - plus the volume of “short novels - for a song on eBay recently.
The series was envisaged as a follow-up to Star Science Fiction Stories ed Frederik Pohl 1953-1959, also published by Ballantine. However, Stellar, while entertaining, concentrated more on straightforward adventure, with the emphasis on Hard SF, and less on the Satire typical of Pohl's series
I jumped into Stellar 4 first for two reasons. 1) The stories were all published in my birth year; I’ve tried magazines from 1978 with poor results and was hopeful for something better. (IASFM 57%, Galaxy 75%). 2) A recommendation from the Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Short Fiction Group on Facebook for the Tiptree story that “haunted me for years.” They weren’t wrong.
Two Stories Join the Best of All Time List:
We Who Stole the Dream • novelette by James Tiptree, Jr. A brutally brilliant story about oppression, liberation, sacrifice, and a shockingly clear perspective on the nature of humanity. An alien race makes horrendous sacrifices to escape from the barbaric Terran colonizers and return home to their people, but aren’t prepared for what they learn.
The Last Decision • novelette by Ben Bova. The elderly Emperor of the Hundred Worlds has to decide if he is going to take the advice of a young female science with an original plan to save the old backwater planet of Earth. Wonderful examine of courtly intrigue and political tradecraft. Enthralling stuff.
STELLAR 4
6 STORIES : 2 GREAT / 4 GOOD / 0 AVERAGE / 0 POOR / 0 DNF
We Who Stole the Dream • novelette by James Tiptree, Jr.
Great. A brutally brilliant story about oppression, liberation, sacrifice, and a shockingly clear perspective on the nature of humanity. An alien race makes horrendous sacrifices to escape from the barbaric Terran colonizers and return home to their people, but aren’t prepared for what they learn.
Animal Lover • novella by Stephen R. Donaldson
Good. A police cyborg who loves animals is sent to investigate a hunting preserve that is resulting in the deaths of more hunters than prey. A long, fun, and enjoyable novella.
Snake Eyes • [Pip & Flinx • 5] • novelette by Alan Dean Foster
Good. A prospector has discovered a batch of stones that look like a human eye and are going to make him rich. But only if he can survive the onslaught of criminals, aliens, and animals that want to take it from him. Vibes of the old west.
The Last Decision • novelette by Ben Bova
Great. The elderly Emperor of the Hundred Worlds has to decide if he is going to take the advice of a young female science with an original plan to save the old backwater planet of Earth. Wonderful examine of courtly intrigue and political tradecraft. Enthralling stuff.
The Deimos Plague • short story by Charles Sheffield
Good. A man has to get off planet quickly or die. He ends up sleeping among the pigs that are being transported in the spaceship. When the rest of the crew start to sicken and die, he must try to complete the transport without falling sick himself.
Assassin • novelette by James P. Hogan
Good. A brilliant assassin is nearing the crucial moment of a plan that was 10 years in the making. He is going to kill a defector from the Martian Federation to Earth. Things seem to be going too easily.
