Dark Side Of The Earth

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Mar 05, 2017 Cheryl rated it really liked it

I'm a existent sucker for these very one-time SF shorts. Bester's piece of work holds up better than nearly, as it's less sexist than about and more than simply Twilight Zone gimmick. Just almost of these take been collected elsewhere, so if you're a rabid reader similar me you've probably already seen them. I'm a real sucker for these very onetime SF shorts. Bester's work holds upward better than most, equally it's less sexist than virtually and more than just Twilight Zone gimmick. But most of these accept been collected elsewhere, so if you're a rabid reader like me yous've probably already seen them. ...more

Alfred Bester is best known for two of the about classic science-fiction novels ever written: "The Demolished Man" and "The Stars my Destination." He was a Yard Master of the art, credited with beingness one of the nearly influential writers in the genre, virtually "inventing" character-driven scientific discipline-fiction at a fourth dimension when sci-fi was ofttimes dismissed as juvenile "hack" writing. Bester brought a literary sensibility to his craft, developing deep and original novels and short stories that highlighted hi Alfred Bester is best known for two of the most archetype scientific discipline-fiction novels ever written: "The Demolished Man" and "The Stars my Destination." He was a 1000 Master of the art, credited with being one of the most influential writers in the genre, virtually "inventing" character-driven science-fiction at a time when sci-fi was often dismissed as juvenile "hack" writing. Bester brought a literary sensibility to his arts and crafts, developing deep and original novels and short stories that highlighted his intellect and imagination. He was too a writer for television receiver and comic books, and he was so influential that he had a character in the "Babylon 5" television serial named after him. Bester was non a "hard" science-fiction author in any sense, though he obviously had a good grasp of mathematical and scientific concepts. He instead focused his energies on creating complex characters and plots that sometimes roamed into an almost "beat" or advanced narrative style.

So I stumbled on a really nice re-create of "The Dark Side of the Earth" at i of my favorite used bookstores, a 1964 Signet first paperback edition. All of the stories were previously printed in "The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction" between the decade 1953 through 1963. This was my start taste of Bester'south short fiction, and it was a good trip through the Grand Master's mind. Stories in gild of appearance:

"Fourth dimension is the Traitor" - You can't go home again, a painful lesson learned by the "Most Powerful and Decisive Man" in the known universe. Good story, hampered a bit by a somewhat dated portrayal of one of the main characters.

"The Men Who Murdered Mohammed" - Fourth dimension-travel isn't all information technology'due south shaped upwardly to be, as the main protagonist discovers. Good story that suffers from a technical contrivance at the offset. Equally I said before, Bester did not accept the stuff where technical science-fiction was concerned, focusing instead on his quirky and sometimes difficult characters. Lots of sly sense of humour in this i.

"Out of This Globe" - 1 of my favorite stories in the collection. Crossed phone wires lead to an illicit romance that takes some nice twists and turns. I liked the characters and the plot was well designed.

"The Pi Man" - One of the quirkier stories in the book. I'grand not fifty-fifty certain if this qualifies as science-fiction, per se. The plot is a bit obtuse, the main character suffering from an overload of "pattern perception" that makes for all sorts of problems with his personal and professional life. Nowadays this sort of behavior would be seen every bit being somewhere on the autism spectrum. For it's time, it must have only seemed weird. This story kind of veers into experimental, avant-garde writing tropes.

"The Flowered Thundermug" - A brusk novelette that starts off confusing but rapidly picks upwardly pace and depth of story. TONS of humor in this one, as the protagonists hurdle pell-mell into a wild and satisfying determination. The merely drawback is that no 1 under the age of forty volition get any of the character-name jokes. Likewise bad. They are pretty funny.

"Will You Await" - Probably my favorite story in the collection. Cipher but pure, vehement farce told with deft humor and sly satire. Makes dealing with the Devil sound downright funny.

"They Don't Make Life Like They Used To" - A good postal service-apocalyptic tale that lags from odd character development. I do think that people who accept been isolated for years might react a scrap differently when confronted with contact from another homo beingness. Intriguing tale in spite of that fact. Perhaps a scrap Stephen King-ish in tone. Ultimately I liked it.

All in all, a slightly uneven simply enjoyable introduction to Bester's short stories. I'll definitely seek out more of his short fiction in the future. A well-spent iv bucks at the used book shop.

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Sep 07, 2014 Nib rated it liked it

An interesting collection of short stories merely at times hit and miss with me. It contains six curt stories and one novella, The Flowered Thundermug. The novella was nicely witty but so information technology sort of ended and left me feeling.... well, like eh?? Time is a Traitor took a scrap of getting into simply ultimately I liked it very much. I also liked the premise of The Men who Killed Mohammed, dealing with the impact of traveling into the by and the consequences of trying to change events. Out of this Worl An interesting collection of brusque stories but at times striking and miss with me. It contains six short stories and one novella, The Flowered Thundermug. The novella was nicely witty merely then it sort of concluded and left me feeling.... well, similar eh?? Time is a Traitor took a flake of getting into only ultimately I liked information technology very much. I as well liked the premise of The Men who Killed Mohammed, dealing with the impact of traveling into the past and the consequences of trying to change events. Out of this Globe was fascinating, a trouble with phone lines (a trouble I didn't suspect) that results in a relationship you don't look. The Pi Man was too very interesting; actions vs reactions, cause and issue. I liked that one. Will You Expect was quite humorous, I hateful how hard is it to try and sell your soul to the devil? The Don't Make Life Like they Used to is well-nigh the concluding homo and woman on earth. The catastrophe was very creepy... All in all a skillful collection, non a great collection merely worth reading (3.v stars) ...more

I don't typically read brusk stories. And when I do, Ron Rash, Marking Helprin, Junot Diaz, Bonnie Joe Campbell, and Rick Bass are some of my favorites. And really, I'm difficult pressed to think about when I've e'er read a collection of short stories in the Scientific discipline Fiction genre.

Overall, this book was a quick read, strange, wondrous, and, yes, kind of nighttime. It did feel a chip uneven at times. A few of the stories I'd give v stars to, though ane or 2 I lost interest part of the style through, I think

I don't typically read brusque stories. And when I do, Ron Rash, Marker Helprin, Junot Diaz, Bonnie Joe Campbell, and Rick Bass are some of my favorites. And actually, I'm difficult pressed to recall near when I've ever read a collection of short stories in the Science Fiction genre.

Overall, this book was a quick read, foreign, wondrous, and, yes, kind of dark. Information technology did feel a scrap uneven at times. A few of the stories I'd give five stars to, though one or two I lost interest function of the way through, I think because they were heavily weighted and invested in ideas, and non necessarily things.

Read it? Yes. Have your life changed by it? Probably not. Recommend only for someone who reads Sci-Fi/Fantasy.

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Mar 21, 2010 Raj rated it information technology was ok

I've heard a lot of good things about Afred Bester, but this early collection of brusk stories didn't really justify it. Only ane of the drove (The Flowered Thundermug) was memorable. The rest were average to uninteresting, and there was an undertone of sexism running through the stories that I didn't hugely similar either. I'thou however going to read The Demolished Man at some point though. I've heard a lot of good things about Afred Bester, but this early drove of curt stories didn't really justify it. Only one of the collection (The Flowered Thundermug) was memorable. The rest were boilerplate to uninteresting, and there was an undertone of sexism running through the stories that I didn't hugely like either. I'chiliad yet going to read The Demolished Human being at some signal though. ...more

Mar 20, 2015 David Allen rated it really liked it

Bester not only had swell ideas, he was among the very best stylists in SF: urbane, smart, playful. Impressed every bit I am by Harlan Ellison'south 1992 fragmented story "The Man Who Rowed Christopher Columbus Ashore," it surprised me to read Bester'due south "The Pi Man" and see he was doing something very like in 1959. This story collection is well worth tracking downward. Bester not only had great ideas, he was among the very best stylists in SF: urbane, smart, playful. Impressed equally I am by Harlan Ellison'southward 1992 fragmented story "The Human being Who Rowed Christopher Columbus Ashore," information technology surprised me to read Bester'south "The Pi Man" and see he was doing something very like in 1959. This story drove is well worth tracking down. ...more

This is the second - chronologically after - half of what was start published as a Best Of. And Bester'southward earlier fifties piece of work was meliorate, oft brilliant.
There are good stories here, but for me they are hinting tantalisingly at even meliorate ones.
Three and a half yes, but merely not quite worth four stars to me. This is the second - chronologically later - half of what was commencement published as a All-time Of. And Bester's before fifties work was amend, often brilliant.
There are skilful stories hither, but for me they are hinting tantalisingly at fifty-fifty better ones.
Three and a half yeah, only just not quite worth 4 stars to me. ...more

Aug 17, 2016 Matthew rated it liked information technology

A drove of six varying short stories, all with varying degrees of comedy and often quite nonsensical (though that'south what makes them fun no?). Some are more than engaging than others ,I particularly enjoyed the 4th a satire of hollywood and media worship and the 6th concerning a post- apocalyptic world. The stories are highly varied and are an easy and fun read. A collection of six varying short stories, all with varying degrees of comedy and often quite nonsensical (though that's what makes them fun no?). Some are more engaging than others ,I particularly enjoyed the 4th a satire of hollywood and media worship and the sixth apropos a postal service- apocalyptic world. The stories are highly varied and are an piece of cake and fun read. ...more than

Mostly reprints of stuff I'd already read. However, Bester is magic. By and large reprints of stuff I'd already read. However, Bester is magic. ...more

Jun 02, 2012 Tim Taylor rated information technology really liked it

Some of the stories in this collection of short stories might appear old-fashioned or missing existent technological trends. The quality of writing, though, shines through undimmed.

May 20, 2019 Jerry rated it really liked information technology

Several of these stories appear in Starlight: Fourth dimension is the Traitor, , The Men Who Murdered Mohammed, The Pi Human being, and They Don't Make Life Similar They Used To. I also accept a strong sense of having read Out Of This Earth earlier, only I don't know where.

All of those stories were worth reading again.

"The Flowered Thundermug" was a very funny take on futurity people trying to emulate the reader'due south time period, turning everything into hard-boiled fiction of an even more childish nature than usual. Information technology is very

Several of these stories appear in Starlight: Fourth dimension is the Traitor, , The Men Who Murdered Mohammed, The Pi Man, and They Don't Make Life Like They Used To. I besides have a strong sense of having read Out Of This Globe before, but I don't know where.

All of those stories were worth reading again.

"The Flowered Thundermug" was a very funny accept on future people trying to emulate the reader's time period, turning everything into hard-boiled fiction of an even more childish nature than usual. It is very funny.

"Will You Wait" is an extremely short story about selling your soul to the devil in a heir-apparent's marketplace. At that place'due south likewise a strong sense that he'due south talking nearly the business of writing equally well.

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This review has been hidden because information technology contains spoilers. To view it, click hither. This volume was my first bester volume, and I'd likely try another i of his. It reads like a 40s paid for by the give-and-take collection of short stories.

With some of them interesting (man who killed Muhammad, Time is a traitor) to confusing (pi man) to unbearable slogs (the flowered trundlemug) and mediocre.

The writing is quick, and old fashioned. With at times stream of consciousness similar paragraphs and almost noir descriptions.

Overall it was simply okay.

This book was my first bester volume, and I'd probable endeavour another one of his. Information technology reads similar a 40s paid for by the discussion collection of short stories.

With some of them interesting (man who killed Muhammad, Time is a traitor) to confusing (pi human) to unbearable slogs (the flowered trundlemug) and mediocre.

The writing is quick, and sometime fashioned. With at times stream of consciousness like paragraphs and nigh noir descriptions.

Overall it was just okay.

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Full review: https://sciencefictionruminations.com...

"Despite enjoying Alfred Bester's famous novels The Demolished Man (1952) and The Stars My Destination (1956), I found his short stories in The Dark Side of the World (1964) on the whole nowhere near as masterful. Yes, they are witty, comedic, playful, featherbrained, pseudo-intellectual (references to pic directors [..."

Full review: https://sciencefictionruminations.com...

"Despite enjoying Alfred Bester'due south famous novels The Demolished Man (1952) and The Stars My Destination (1956), I establish his brusque stories in The Dark Side of the World (1964) on the whole nowhere near every bit masterful. Aye, they are witty, comedic, playful, silly, pseudo-intellectual (references to pic directors [..."

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"A genius is someone who travels to truth by an unexpected path."

"Hassel does non brand a circumvolve in time, catastrophe where the story begins - to the satisfaction of nobody and the fury of everybody - for the unproblematic reason that time isn't circular, or linear, or tandem, discoid, sjyzygous, longinquitous, or pandicularted. Time is a private matter, every bit Hassel discovered."

"A genius is someone who travels to truth by an unexpected path."

"Hassel does not make a circle in fourth dimension, ending where the story begins - to the satisfaction of nobody and the fury of everybody - for the unproblematic reason that time isn't circular, or linear, or tandem, discoid, sjyzygous, longinquitous, or pandicularted. Time is a private thing, as Hassel discovered."

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This is non his best piece of work. I'm a big fan of his novels, but I establish most of these shorts to exist a niggling "unfinished". Not a bad, quick read. And some skilful ideas actually. This is non his best work. I'g a big fan of his novels, merely I establish most of these shorts to be a niggling "unfinished". Not a bad, quick read. And some good ideas actually. ...more than

"The Pi Human being" was enjoyable. "Will Yous Expect?" was an interestingly uncomfortably realistic horror story. The rest was mediocre junk. "The Pi Man" was enjoyable. "Will You Await?" was an interestingly uncomfortably realistic horror story. The residue was mediocre junk. ...more

If it were an pick I'd give this three and a one-half stars. Like many curt story collections some stories were existent gems, and a few were striking and miss. The gems deserve iv stars, the others...a bit rough around the edges, or just, well...boring. For some reason, to my taste whatsoever way, the best stories in this collection came terminal. The Flowered Thundermug was deeply, unexpectedly entertaining. Information technology was a fast paced, delightful satire and kept me turning pages rapidly and earned a few real laughs. Wi If information technology were an option I'd requite this three and a one-half stars. Similar many short story collections some stories were existent gems, and a few were hit and miss. The gems deserve four stars, the others...a scrap rough around the edges, or just, well...ho-hum. For some reason, to my gustation any way, the all-time stories in this collection came last. The Flowered Thundermug was securely, unexpectedly entertaining. It was a fast paced, delightful satire and kept me turning pages chop-chop and earned a few real laughs. Will you Wait? poked fun at the hellacious frustration of bureaucratic paperwork. The concluding story, They Don't Make Life Like They Used To, was a cornball i for me. It reminded me of George Stewart'due south Earth Abides. I'm a sucker for older stop of the world stories. This one gave us slightly unhinged main characters that were fun to go to know, a crumbling New York, and a not entirely unexpected but engaging twist at the end which was built upwardly to with a subtle suspense. ...more than

Feb 23, 2016 Anthony rated it it was ok

Normally I'thou a large fan of Bester and there are a couple of decent stories here. For existence such a short book (160 pgs) it is occasionally hard to get through. Part of it is Bester'south writing style explores so many avenues such as text that flows diagonally on the page as well equally stream of consciousness. His ideas are most always original just not always "practiced". He also possesses a great sense of humour, I bet he was a riot at dinner parties. You can probably find this cheaply at library book sales Normally I'g a large fan of Bester and at that place are a couple of decent stories here. For existence such a short volume (160 pgs) it is occasionally hard to get through. Part of information technology is Bester's writing style explores so many avenues such equally text that flows diagonally on the page every bit well as stream of consciousness. His ideas are about ever original just not e'er "good". He also possesses a cracking sense of humor, I bet he was a anarchism at dinner parties. You lot can probably find this cheaply at library volume sales, yard sales and the similar. It's possible it'south been reprinted into pricey trade paperbacks similar some of his other novels & story collections. Get it cheeply. Plus the cover fine art will surely be improve that manner. One does wonder why his stories take withal to bask motion-picture show adaptations like many of Philip K. Dick's brusque stories, but perhaps that is nevertheless forthcoming. ...more

I loved Bester's novel "The Stars My Destination" and decided to try this short story collection. Information technology didn't seem like the same author at all and I really didn't like the stories very much. The 1 I liked the most was "Out of this World". And on the other end I couldn't even finish "The Flowered Thundermug". I assume it was a comedy but information technology wasn't my type of comedy. I loved Bester's novel "The Stars My Destination" and decided to try this short story collection. It didn't seem like the aforementioned author at all and I really didn't like the stories very much. The one I liked the most was "Out of this World". And on the other end I couldn't fifty-fifty finish "The Flowered Thundermug". I assume it was a one-act just it wasn't my type of comedy. ...more than

Have enjoyed some of his other piece of work more, merely quite entertaining

Alfred Bester was an American science fiction author, TV and radio scriptwriter, mag editor and scripter for comic strips and comic books.

Though successful in all these fields, he is best remembered for his science fiction, including The Demolished Man, winner of the inaugural Hugo Laurels in 1953, a story virtually murder in a future order where the constabulary are telepathic, and The Stars My Desti

Alfred Bester was an American science fiction author, TV and radio scriptwriter, magazine editor and scripter for comic strips and comic books.

Though successful in all these fields, he is best remembered for his science fiction, including The Demolished Human, winner of the countdown Hugo Honor in 1953, a story most murder in a future society where the police are telepathic, and The Stars My Destination, a 1956 SF archetype about a human aptitude on revenge in a globe where people can teleport, that inspired numerous authors in the genre and is considered an early on precursor to the cyberpunk movement in the 1980s.

AKA:
Άλφρεντ Μπέστερ (Greek)

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