The Best of Raymond Z. Gallun

The Best of Raymond Z. Gallun is a collection of science fiction short stories by American author Raymond Z. Gallun, edited by J. J. Pierce. It was first published in paperback by Del Rey/Ballantine in August 1978 as a volume in its Classic Library of Science Fiction.[1]

The Best of Raymond Z. Gallun
Cover of first edition
AuthorRaymond Z. Gallun
Cover artistH. R. Van Dongen
LanguageEnglish
SeriesBallantine's Classic Library of Science Fiction
GenreScience fiction
PublisherDel Rey/Ballantine
Publication date
1978
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (paperback)
Pagesxvi, 336
ISBN0-345-25273-X
OCLC4248714
Preceded byThe Best of Jack Williamson 
Followed byThe Best of Lester del Rey 

Summary

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The book contains thirteen short works of fiction and an afterword by the author, together with an introduction by editor J. J. Pierce. [1]

Contents

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Reception

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James McGlothlin on blackgate.com writes that he "really, really struggled reading" the book due to Gullun's "stiff" writing style, "wooden" characterizations, and typically "cold-hearted" protagonists, as well as his "often ... breaking the 'Show, Don't Tell' rule of good writing." He notes that "dispassionate, resourceful scientists — human or alien — are usually the heroes of Gallun's stories. Or better, one might say Science (with a capital 'S' is the real hero." He finds "one good quality that clearly comes across" in the author's fascination "with natural events or scientific phenomena that seemingly could not take place within the bounds of known science" that he "greatly enjoyed [demonstrating] might be plausibly and scientifically viable" in "stories [that] usually attempted to encourage wonder at what science might be capable of explaining." McGlothlin finds this "a novel aesthetic and perhaps educational goal." Nonetheless, he feels Gallun "is probably best seen as an historical example of a bygone day," who "might still occasionally inspire scientific awe in some, but ... is more likely to leave one fairly cold."[2]

Awards

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"Seeds of the Dusk" was a preliminary nominee for the 1939 Retro Hugo Award for Best Novelette in 2014.[1]

Notes

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