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The Science Fiction Hall of Fame Volume Four
Contents:
ix • Introduction (The Science Fiction Hall of Fame Volume Four) • essay by Arthur C. Clarke
2 • "Repent, Harlequin!" Said the Ticktockman • (1965) • shortstory by Harlan Ellison
15 • The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth • (1965) • novelette by Roger Zelazny
49 • The Saliva Tree • (1965) • novella by Brian W. Aldiss
122 • He Who Shapes • (1965) • novella by Roger Zelazny
216 • The Secret Place • (1966) • shortstory by Richard McKenna
232 • Call Him Lord • (1966) • novelette by Gordon R. Dickson
254 • The Last Castle • (1966) • novella by Jack Vance
318 • Aye, and Gomorrah ... • (1967) • shortstory by Samuel R. Delany
329 • Gonna Roll the Bones • (1967) • novelette by Fritz Leiber
352 • Behold the Man • (1966) • novella by Michael Moorcock
406 • The Planners • (1968) • shortstory by Kate Wilhelm
422 • Mother to the World • (1968) • novelette by Richard Wilson
461 • Dragonrider • [Dragonriders of Pern short fiction] • (1967) • novella by Anne McCaffrey
580 • Passengers • (1968) • shortstory by Robert Silverberg
593 • Time Considered as a Helix of Semi-Precious Stones • (1968) • novelette by Samuel R. Delany
632 • A Boy and His Dog • [Vic and Blood • 2] • (1969) • novella by Harlan Ellison
ix • Introduction (The Science Fiction Hall of Fame Volume Four) • essay by Arthur C. Clarke
2 • "Repent, Harlequin!" Said the Ticktockman • (1965) • shortstory by Harlan Ellison
15 • The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth • (1965) • novelette by Roger Zelazny
49 • The Saliva Tree • (1965) • novella by Brian W. Aldiss
122 • He Who Shapes • (1965) • novella by Roger Zelazny
216 • The Secret Place • (1966) • shortstory by Richard McKenna
232 • Call Him Lord • (1966) • novelette by Gordon R. Dickson
254 • The Last Castle • (1966) • novella by Jack Vance
318 • Aye, and Gomorrah ... • (1967) • shortstory by Samuel R. Delany
329 • Gonna Roll the Bones • (1967) • novelette by Fritz Leiber
352 • Behold the Man • (1966) • novella by Michael Moorcock
406 • The Planners • (1968) • shortstory by Kate Wilhelm
422 • Mother to the World • (1968) • novelette by Richard Wilson
461 • Dragonrider • [Dragonriders of Pern short fiction] • (1967) • novella by Anne McCaffrey
580 • Passengers • (1968) • shortstory by Robert Silverberg
593 • Time Considered as a Helix of Semi-Precious Stones • (1968) • novelette by Samuel R. Delany
632 • A Boy and His Dog • [Vic and Blood • 2] • (1969) • novella by Harlan Ellison
672 pages, Hardcover
First published November 30, 1981
6 people are currently reading
475 people want to read
About the author
Arthur C. Clarke
1,617 books11.2k followersStories, works of noted British writer, scientist, and underwater explorer Sir Arthur Charles Clarke, include
2001: A Space Odyssey
(1968).
This most important and influential figure in 20th century fiction spent the first half of his life in England and served in World War II as a radar operator before migrating to Ceylon in 1956. He co-created his best known novel and movie with the assistance of Stanley Kubrick.
Clarke, a graduate of King's College, London, obtained first class honours in physics and mathematics. He served as past chairman of the interplanetary society and as a member of the academy of astronautics, the royal astronomical society, and many other organizations.
He authored more than fifty books and won his numerous awards: the Kalinga prize of 1961, the American association for the advancement Westinghouse prize, the Bradford Washburn award, and the John W. Campbell award for his novel Rendezvous with Rama. Clarke also won the nebula award of the fiction of America in 1972, 1974 and 1979, the Hugo award of the world fiction convention in 1974 and 1980. In 1986, he stood as grand master of the fiction of America. The queen knighted him as the commander of the British Empire in 1989.
This most important and influential figure in 20th century fiction spent the first half of his life in England and served in World War II as a radar operator before migrating to Ceylon in 1956. He co-created his best known novel and movie with the assistance of Stanley Kubrick.
Clarke, a graduate of King's College, London, obtained first class honours in physics and mathematics. He served as past chairman of the interplanetary society and as a member of the academy of astronautics, the royal astronomical society, and many other organizations.
He authored more than fifty books and won his numerous awards: the Kalinga prize of 1961, the American association for the advancement Westinghouse prize, the Bradford Washburn award, and the John W. Campbell award for his novel Rendezvous with Rama. Clarke also won the nebula award of the fiction of America in 1972, 1974 and 1979, the Hugo award of the world fiction convention in 1974 and 1980. In 1986, he stood as grand master of the fiction of America. The queen knighted him as the commander of the British Empire in 1989.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
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September 29, 2024Contains the stories:
Repent, Harlequin! Said the Ticktockman (1965) by Harlan Ellison - 4/5 - a wicked satire of modern culture emerges eventually
The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth (1965) by Roger Zelazny - 5/5 - Moby Dick on Old Venus
The Saliva Tree (1965) by Brian W. Aldiss - 4/5 - H.G. Wells' (fictional) inspiration for a couple of his best-known tales
He Who Shapes (also known as The Dream Master) (1965) by Roger Zelazny - 3/5 - silent lucidity
The Secret Place (1966) by Richard McKenna - 4/5 - Oregon treasure hunt, although I still don't understand the ending
Call Him Lord (1966) by Gordon R. Dickson - 3/5 - good although not particularly memorable tale of an heir to the Galactic Empire who returns to Earth
The Last Castle (1966) by Jack Vance
Aye, and Gomorrah (1967) by Samuel R. Delany
Gonna Roll the Bones (1967) by Fritz Leiber
Behold the Man (1966) by Michael Moorcock
The Planners (1968) by Kate Wilhelm
Mother To The World (1968) by Richard Wilson
Dragonrider (1967) by Anne McCaffrey - 3/5 - the second half of Dragonflight ("Weyr Search" is the first half of that fix-up novel)
Passengers (1968) by Robert Silverberg
Time Considered as a Helix of Semi-Precious Stones (1968) by Samuel R. Delany
A Boy and His Dog (1969) by Harlan Ellison
Repent, Harlequin! Said the Ticktockman (1965) by Harlan Ellison - 4/5 - a wicked satire of modern culture emerges eventually
The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth (1965) by Roger Zelazny - 5/5 - Moby Dick on Old Venus
The Saliva Tree (1965) by Brian W. Aldiss - 4/5 - H.G. Wells' (fictional) inspiration for a couple of his best-known tales
He Who Shapes (also known as The Dream Master) (1965) by Roger Zelazny - 3/5 - silent lucidity
The Secret Place (1966) by Richard McKenna - 4/5 - Oregon treasure hunt, although I still don't understand the ending
Call Him Lord (1966) by Gordon R. Dickson - 3/5 - good although not particularly memorable tale of an heir to the Galactic Empire who returns to Earth
The Last Castle (1966) by Jack Vance
Aye, and Gomorrah (1967) by Samuel R. Delany
Gonna Roll the Bones (1967) by Fritz Leiber
Behold the Man (1966) by Michael Moorcock
The Planners (1968) by Kate Wilhelm
Mother To The World (1968) by Richard Wilson
Dragonrider (1967) by Anne McCaffrey - 3/5 - the second half of Dragonflight ("Weyr Search" is the first half of that fix-up novel)
Passengers (1968) by Robert Silverberg
Time Considered as a Helix of Semi-Precious Stones (1968) by Samuel R. Delany
A Boy and His Dog (1969) by Harlan Ellison
July 16, 2023
On July 12, 2023, i officially decided to stop believing that i would eventually read "The Last Castle" or "Drangonriders". I probably will never read them. And i'm quite certain that i never have read them.
I retain the 5 star rating attributed to this collection in the '80s by teenage me. Middle-aged me is just as happy but less wowed. I don't want to stop believing that i will eventually write more about what this book and its stories meant and mean to me.
Contents thanks to the Internet SF db
ix • Introduction (Science Fiction Hall of Fame Volume III) • (1981) • essay by Arthur C. Clarke
2 • "Repent, Harlequin!" Said the Ticktockman • (1965) • short story by Harlan Ellison
15 • The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth • (1965) • novelette by Roger Zelazny
49 • The Saliva Tree • (1965) • novella by Brian W. Aldiss
122 • He Who Shapes • (1965) • novella by Roger Zelazny
216 • The Secret Place • (1966) • short story by Richard McKenna
232 • Call Him Lord • (1966) • novelette by Gordon R. Dickson
254 • The Last Castle • (1966) • novella by Jack Vance
318 • Aye, and Gomorrah ... • (1967) • short story by Samuel R. Delany
329 • Gonna Roll the Bones • (1967) • novelette by Fritz Leiber
352 • Behold the Man • (1966) • novella by Michael Moorcock
406 • The Planners • (1968) • short story by Kate Wilhelm
422 • Mother to the World • (1968) • novelette by Richard Wilson
461 • Dragonrider • (1967) • novella by Anne McCaffrey
580 • Passengers • (1968) • short story by Robert Silverberg
593 • Time Considered as a Helix of Semi-Precious Stones • (1968) • novelette by Samuel R. Delany
632 • A Boy and His Dog • (1969) • novella by Harlan Ellison
I retain the 5 star rating attributed to this collection in the '80s by teenage me. Middle-aged me is just as happy but less wowed. I don't want to stop believing that i will eventually write more about what this book and its stories meant and mean to me.
Contents thanks to the Internet SF db
ix • Introduction (Science Fiction Hall of Fame Volume III) • (1981) • essay by Arthur C. Clarke
2 • "Repent, Harlequin!" Said the Ticktockman • (1965) • short story by Harlan Ellison
15 • The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth • (1965) • novelette by Roger Zelazny
49 • The Saliva Tree • (1965) • novella by Brian W. Aldiss
122 • He Who Shapes • (1965) • novella by Roger Zelazny
216 • The Secret Place • (1966) • short story by Richard McKenna
232 • Call Him Lord • (1966) • novelette by Gordon R. Dickson
254 • The Last Castle • (1966) • novella by Jack Vance
318 • Aye, and Gomorrah ... • (1967) • short story by Samuel R. Delany
329 • Gonna Roll the Bones • (1967) • novelette by Fritz Leiber
352 • Behold the Man • (1966) • novella by Michael Moorcock
406 • The Planners • (1968) • short story by Kate Wilhelm
422 • Mother to the World • (1968) • novelette by Richard Wilson
461 • Dragonrider • (1967) • novella by Anne McCaffrey
580 • Passengers • (1968) • short story by Robert Silverberg
593 • Time Considered as a Helix of Semi-Precious Stones • (1968) • novelette by Samuel R. Delany
632 • A Boy and His Dog • (1969) • novella by Harlan Ellison
April 4, 2012
The problem with volume III and IV of this series is that Nebula winners, being chosen by authors, are often about what authors find clever. Most of the stories are so cerebral and cryptic I often found myself finishing a story and asking “what the heck was that?”. I’m a reader, not a literature major, and the majority of the stories just didn’t make any sense. UGH!
January 15, 2013
This volume collects the short fiction Nebula Award winners from 1965-1969. There's not a bad story in the lot, and the works by Zelazny, Moorcock, and Ellison are still my favorites these many years later. It's one of those few books I'd seriously call a must-read for anyone interested in the modern genre.
February 20, 2012
Most of these are excellent stories, but several make me wonder what the SFWA members were thinking when they chose them. I wish there was some sort of discussion included of what swayed the voters.
"Repent, Harlequin!" Said the Ticktockman
Well-crafted, poetic social critique. The science-fictional element is there (the "cardio-plate"), but the emphasis here is definitely on the flow of words. Has a great title and a great sentence about jelly beans.
The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth
Very readable tale of man confronting something greater than himself, set on a Venus they must have known was impossible by 1965.
The Saliva Tree
Very scary gothic tale set on a remote farm in Victorian England. Walking through a dimly lit city square after reading this, I saw a statue of a frog out of the corner of my eye, and jumped a foot. The build-up of the sense of looming doom is scarcely perceptible, but inexorable.
He Who Shapes
Another very readable tale from Mr. Zelazny, with lots of fun predictions for our own time with the usual distortion (we have already greatly improved on the clunky interface he presents for his self-driving cars, but we're still lacking the self-driving cars.) I'm not sure I understand the ending.
The Secret Place
I don't really see how this is science fiction.
It may be classifiable as speculative fiction, but it's not particularly illuminating speculation.
Call Him Lord
An entertaining concept - (mild spoilers:) Earth is maintained as a museum world by a Space Empire, with the population living like an Amish enclave (adopting some new technologies, not others.) The heir to the Empire has to visit Kentucky, of all places,
The Last Castle
Nicely written far-future tale on an Earth reverted to wilderness. Reminds me of Against the Fall of Night. The use of animals in the place of machines (for ground and air transport) is a novel touch. The aversion of the gentlemen to any manual labor seems faintly silly, but cases nearly as extreme can be found in actual history. I like the raucous Birds and the occasional info-dumping footnotes.
Aye, and Gomorrah. . .
Very New Wave. The basic conceit is interesting, but I would like it better as a backdrop element in a larger tale, rather than the sole focus of a story.
Gonna Roll the Bones
This is a work of fantasy, not science fiction! A few references to space ships and Martian creatures could be deleted with no effect on the story. It seems to be set on an asteroid, but that, too, is immaterial.
Behold the Man
Time travel is the only science-fictional element here. Otherwise, it is filled with mainstream strained-relationship flashbacks mixed into a version of "Life of Brian" without the humor.
The Planners
This is a story about injecting sRNA (in blood) into chimps and other subjects, to transfer training or knowledge. Of course, if this happened, recipients of blood transfusions would find themselves suddenly able to speak foreign languages or play new instruments, which they don't. This basically silly idea is made to appear more serious by having the protagonist constantly hallucinate bizarre scenes and be sick of his wife. This might be interesting if it turned out to be somehow linked to the experiments, but it's not.
Mother to the World
Standard postapocalyptic Adam-and-Eve story with the twist that Eve is mentally deficient.
Dragonrider
The second Pern story. The world-building is fantastic (the well-developed social and political structures forming the backdrop of the story.) The characters are a bit stilted. The resolution is rather pat. Honestly, I think the universe would have been better off without the time-jumping bit (which Wikipedia tells me John W. Campbell was responsible for.) Certainly deserves to be in this volume.
Passengers
Good, true sci-fi: society deals with the effects of "Passengers" which can unexpectedly take control of anyone's body, to use for their own purposes for some hours or days, then depart. New-Wavey in that it focuses solely on the effects on people; no investigation or explanation is offered as to the cause or agency of these possessions. I would prefer that something be said about this, but it's good nonetheless.
Time Considered as a Helix of Semi-Precious Stones
A picaroon in space! An enjoyable romp with a discordant ending. I like the concept of the Singers.
A Boy and His Dog
This is New Wave done right. Sure, the focus is on the characters, and those characters are certainly not the heroic heroes and villainous villains of older sci-fi; but stuff actually happens, and there are reasons why it happens, and the world is clearly described. Recommended if you have a strong stomach.
"Repent, Harlequin!" Said the Ticktockman
Well-crafted, poetic social critique. The science-fictional element is there (the "cardio-plate"), but the emphasis here is definitely on the flow of words. Has a great title and a great sentence about jelly beans.
The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth
Very readable tale of man confronting something greater than himself, set on a Venus they must have known was impossible by 1965.
The Saliva Tree
Very scary gothic tale set on a remote farm in Victorian England. Walking through a dimly lit city square after reading this, I saw a statue of a frog out of the corner of my eye, and jumped a foot. The build-up of the sense of looming doom is scarcely perceptible, but inexorable.
He Who Shapes
Another very readable tale from Mr. Zelazny, with lots of fun predictions for our own time with the usual distortion (we have already greatly improved on the clunky interface he presents for his self-driving cars, but we're still lacking the self-driving cars.) I'm not sure I understand the ending.
The Secret Place
I don't really see how this is science fiction.
It may be classifiable as speculative fiction, but it's not particularly illuminating speculation.
Call Him Lord
An entertaining concept - (mild spoilers:) Earth is maintained as a museum world by a Space Empire, with the population living like an Amish enclave (adopting some new technologies, not others.) The heir to the Empire has to visit Kentucky, of all places,
The Last Castle
Nicely written far-future tale on an Earth reverted to wilderness. Reminds me of Against the Fall of Night. The use of animals in the place of machines (for ground and air transport) is a novel touch. The aversion of the gentlemen to any manual labor seems faintly silly, but cases nearly as extreme can be found in actual history. I like the raucous Birds and the occasional info-dumping footnotes.
Aye, and Gomorrah. . .
Very New Wave. The basic conceit is interesting, but I would like it better as a backdrop element in a larger tale, rather than the sole focus of a story.
Gonna Roll the Bones
This is a work of fantasy, not science fiction! A few references to space ships and Martian creatures could be deleted with no effect on the story. It seems to be set on an asteroid, but that, too, is immaterial.
Behold the Man
Time travel is the only science-fictional element here. Otherwise, it is filled with mainstream strained-relationship flashbacks mixed into a version of "Life of Brian" without the humor.
The Planners
This is a story about injecting sRNA (in blood) into chimps and other subjects, to transfer training or knowledge. Of course, if this happened, recipients of blood transfusions would find themselves suddenly able to speak foreign languages or play new instruments, which they don't. This basically silly idea is made to appear more serious by having the protagonist constantly hallucinate bizarre scenes and be sick of his wife. This might be interesting if it turned out to be somehow linked to the experiments, but it's not.
Mother to the World
Standard postapocalyptic Adam-and-Eve story with the twist that Eve is mentally deficient.
Dragonrider
The second Pern story. The world-building is fantastic (the well-developed social and political structures forming the backdrop of the story.) The characters are a bit stilted. The resolution is rather pat. Honestly, I think the universe would have been better off without the time-jumping bit (which Wikipedia tells me John W. Campbell was responsible for.) Certainly deserves to be in this volume.
Passengers
Good, true sci-fi: society deals with the effects of "Passengers" which can unexpectedly take control of anyone's body, to use for their own purposes for some hours or days, then depart. New-Wavey in that it focuses solely on the effects on people; no investigation or explanation is offered as to the cause or agency of these possessions. I would prefer that something be said about this, but it's good nonetheless.
Time Considered as a Helix of Semi-Precious Stones
A picaroon in space! An enjoyable romp with a discordant ending. I like the concept of the Singers.
A Boy and His Dog
This is New Wave done right. Sure, the focus is on the characters, and those characters are certainly not the heroic heroes and villainous villains of older sci-fi; but stuff actually happens, and there are reasons why it happens, and the world is clearly described. Recommended if you have a strong stomach.
March 26, 2016
An excellent collection of 60's science fiction works. A mixture of what at that time was old school SF and the humanist New Wave which makes a nice contrast and compare collection. Includes Ellison's A Boy and His Dog among others. I may not have read this particular collection, but I've read all of the stories listed.
June 8, 2020
Most of these stories are great and i can see why they won awards; however, i am amazed at some the choices made by the SFWA as they just don't cut it for me - by the late 60s, the SF "golden age" was assuredly over.
January 12, 2021
Great little collection of sci-fi with stories that are all over the map. Really enjoyed The Doors of His Face The Lamps of His Mouth, Gonna Roll The Bones, Dragonrider, and Time Considered As a Helix of Semi-Precious Stones. Only a few weren’t my style, but that’s the joy of a collection book.
April 5, 2022
years later I read it again... this time I liked the stories better! There were a couple duds, a couple gems, and a bunch of stories better than watching TV!
Want to read
February 15, 2025(13/16 read)
16 stories:
*** "Repent, Harlequin!" Said the Ticktockman (1965) • Harlan Ellison
**** The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth (1965) • Roger Zelazny
*** The Saliva Tree (1965) • Brian W. Aldiss
**** He Who Shapes (1965) • Roger Zelazny
The Secret Place (1966) • Richard McKenna
Call Him Lord (1966) • Gordon R. Dickson
**** The Last Castle (1966) • Jack Vance
**** Aye, and Gomorrah ... (1967) • Samuel R. Delany
***** Gonna Roll the Bones (1967) • Fritz Leiber
*** Behold the Man (1966) • Michael Moorcock
**** The Planners (1968) • Kate Wilhelm
Mother to the World (1968) • Richard Wilson
**** Dragonrider (1967) • Anne McCaffrey
**** Passengers (1968) • Robert Silverberg
**** Time Considered As a Helix of Semi-Precious Stones (1968) • Samuel R. Delany
**** A Boy and His Dog (1969) • Harlan Ellison
16 stories:
*** "Repent, Harlequin!" Said the Ticktockman (1965) • Harlan Ellison
**** The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth (1965) • Roger Zelazny
*** The Saliva Tree (1965) • Brian W. Aldiss
**** He Who Shapes (1965) • Roger Zelazny
The Secret Place (1966) • Richard McKenna
Call Him Lord (1966) • Gordon R. Dickson
**** The Last Castle (1966) • Jack Vance
**** Aye, and Gomorrah ... (1967) • Samuel R. Delany
***** Gonna Roll the Bones (1967) • Fritz Leiber
*** Behold the Man (1966) • Michael Moorcock
**** The Planners (1968) • Kate Wilhelm
Mother to the World (1968) • Richard Wilson
**** Dragonrider (1967) • Anne McCaffrey
**** Passengers (1968) • Robert Silverberg
**** Time Considered As a Helix of Semi-Precious Stones (1968) • Samuel R. Delany
**** A Boy and His Dog (1969) • Harlan Ellison
June 30, 2010
There are some fine works in this collection of Nebula Award winners. Arthur Clarke and George Proctor edited this book, with winners from 1965 through 1969.
These include some absolutely crackerjack works. Among my favorites: Harlan Ellison's "'Repent, Harlequin!' Said the Ticktockman," Roger Zelazny's "He Who Shapes," Jack Vance's "The Last Castle," Fritz Leiber's "Gonna Roll the Bones," Anne McCaffrey's "Dragonrider," and Samuel Delany's "Tome Considered as a Helix of Precious Stones."
A classic compilation. . . .
These include some absolutely crackerjack works. Among my favorites: Harlan Ellison's "'Repent, Harlequin!' Said the Ticktockman," Roger Zelazny's "He Who Shapes," Jack Vance's "The Last Castle," Fritz Leiber's "Gonna Roll the Bones," Anne McCaffrey's "Dragonrider," and Samuel Delany's "Tome Considered as a Helix of Precious Stones."
A classic compilation. . . .
October 18, 2019
I can not recommend this particular series highly enough. What a spectacular collection. Some HUGE names are in here.
My Favorites Were:
- Repent Harlequin Said the Ticktockman
- The Saliva Tree
- Call Him Lord
- The Last Castle
- Gonna Roll the Bones
- Dragonrider
- A Boy and His Dog
This book wont be getting donated. I intend to pass it around.
My Favorites Were:
- Repent Harlequin Said the Ticktockman
- The Saliva Tree
- Call Him Lord
- The Last Castle
- Gonna Roll the Bones
- Dragonrider
- A Boy and His Dog
This book wont be getting donated. I intend to pass it around.
July 29, 2008
Includes short stories, novellettes and Novellas. Features two very good stories by Harlan Ellison, including the dynamite "A Boy and His Dog."
Read
June 2, 2018Didn't make it all the way through, so I won't rate it.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews