En esta selección de doce cuentos, Arthur C. Clarke, uno de los autores más conocidos de la ciencia ficción del siglo XX, propone el entretenimiento y el estímulo intelectual que la ciencia ficción de alta calidad puede ofrecer. Sin duda, una de sus antologías más interesantes hasta el momento.

A solid collection of sci-fi short stories, including one I really liked about lemmings. ( )

I don't think I've ever sat down and read a collection of short stories cover to cover before. Usually I am the type to read a few of the stories here or there between novels and epic 12 book series (uggg). I was wandering through a thrift store when I came across this book longing for something short and easy. I was not disappointed.

I think it would be silly to compare Clarke's short stories to his novels, although it is interesting to note that his most famous novel
[b:2001: A Space Odyssey|70535|2001 A Space Odyssey|Arthur C. Clarke|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170735590s/70535.jpg|208362], was based an a short story of his (the sentinel). This collection offers a mixed bag of tales. That was a strong point for me, several of the stories are fairly shocking, often ending in a cliffhanger, while others were well rounded and easy going. Because of this I was never able to know what to expect. After a few stories I expected everything to be wrought with tragedy, only to be greeted by endings where everyone hugs and gets home safe, no worse for wear. My favorites were "Jupiter Five" and "The Parasite", both of which I could see made into spectacular sci-fi novels. I think it's a good sign when a bit of science fiction leaves you begging for more. Oddly enough I really enjoyed the little preface in the beginning, mainly because I love little peeks into the authors process and opinions of their own work. If I were to pick one story I did not enjoy I would lean towards the curse, which seemed a bit too melodramatic for me (then again it's not 1956 anymore). Overall a nice read for the sci-fi buff.

Attribution: http://gestclarinetist.wordpress.com/2010/05/31/reach-for-tomorrow-arthur-c-clar...
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Clarke seems obsessed with the rise and fall of civilizations. ( )

This is an early collection of Clarke's stories published from 1946 to 1953. The opening story is not just his first sale but the most famous--"Rescue Party." In the Preface Clarke writes "a depressing number of people still consider it my best." I'd rate other Clarke short stories higher, but I'd still rate this one high--it's my favorite of this collection. Partly for it's double twist--but also because it epitomizes so much I've found in Clarke--the optimism about humanity. Surprisingly it's one of the few upbeat stories here, most of which, despite scientific rather than supernatural underpinnings, could be classified as horror. Certainly that's true of "A Walk in the Dark" a fine work of suspense with a twist that has the irony of a Saki story. It's true as well of "The Parasite," with its well-drawn characters and psychological insight. "Jupiter Five" epitomizes another side of Clarke, and is another favorite out of the collection, even if I agree with the reviewer that called the ending disappointing--the awe of enormous scale--in time, space. Another strong candidate for best of the collection is "Trouble with the Natives." This isn't simply one of the few upbeat stories, it's funny! Clarke's aliens remind me of Rowling's wizards among the Muggles. I enjoyed it from amusing beginning to the twist in the tale.

Clarke in his Preface claims for science fiction that when done well at the very least it should satisfy like a "good puzzle"and be "enjoyable and entertaining." Even if few in this collection are stories I'd pluck from here to put in a collection of Clarke's best (and at his best Clarke is one of the great science fiction short story writers) at the very least, all the stories here can claim they're enjoyable and entertaining--and some are more than that. ( )