Science Fiction Novellas You Particularly Like

[Randy M.]

"Heinlein: "The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag" "

After Ginny Heinlein died, though I wasn't a member, the Heinlein Society asked me to write a short account of depositing her ashes in the Pacific Ocean, returning her to Robert. I thought it appropriate to include a reference to "Traveling in Elephants".

No spoilers - I'm not going to specify Hoag's profession
Though I expect everyone here already knows.....

Anyone who likes The Man Who was Thursday by G. K. Chesterton would probably find it of interest.

And, as long as I'm commenting, two more novellas:
Edgar Pangborn: "Angel's Egg" & "Longtooth"

(Not 100% sure that last is technically of novella length.)

Randy M.

 

[dask]

I remember liking “Angel’s Egg” but don’t recall anything about it.

 

[hitmouse]

For me, Jack Vance is the master here. Accepting the fact that he was prolific and I happen to have read his works assiduously, so the sample is not particularly balanced.

 

[Extollager]

With Folded Hands by Jack Williamson The novella prelude to his novel The Humanoids .

I just read -- or reread -- "With Folded Hands," Baylor -- thanks for mentioning it. Whew, what a story.

 

[BAYLOR]

I just read -- or reread -- "With Folded Hands," Baylor -- thanks for mentioning it. Whew, what a story.

Your welcome .

of interested Fred Saberhagen did an anthology The Williamson Effect. It contains stories in honor of Jack Williamson On story Bad Machines by Fred Saberhagen the Humanoids run into the Berserkers. Its a most entertaining read.

 

[tegeus-Cromis]

I wish I could read “Clash by Night” right now. I’m not sure I ever have!

Matthew Arnold reference alert!

 

[Extollager]

Randy, Baylor, JimC, I'm reading "The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag" now. This isn't the sort of story I associate with Heinlein, but it's quite intriguing.

 

[Randy M.]

I doubt he wrote anything else quite like it, though I say that not having read scads of his work.

Randy M.

 

[Guttersnipe]

Anthem by Ayn Rand. I don't agree with it politically, but I like the premise and character building.

 

[BAYLOR]

Randy, Baylor, JimC, I'm reading "The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag" now. This isn't the sort of story I associate with Heinlein, but it's quite intriguing.

Its definitely not like anything else he ever wrote.

 

[Don]

Never been a fan of novellas - I find they're either not long enough to fully develop the potential of an idea as a novel would, or they're too long to escape the honing that a short story requires.

I'm a big fan of the original shorter versions of stories released later as an authorial novel length fix up. For instance, "Enders Game" by Card works better for me as the original short story rather than the novel it later became. The novella "Historical Crisis" by Kingsbury entertains me more than its novel length expansion into Psychohistorical Crisis.

 

[BigBadBob141]

Jack Vance's "The Moon Moth" is really good as a picture of an alien society.
"Dormant" by A.E. Van Vogt was about the first science fiction story I ever read and it's still excellent to this day.
A few more are, "Four In One" by Damon Knight, "Blow Ups Happen" by Robert A. Heinlein, "Mother" not sure about this one, could be Phillip Jose Farmer, "Plague Star" and "Loaves And Fishes" both by George R.R. Martin in the same series, plus the four stories in "Men, Martians And Macines" by Eric Frank Russell, all great!
There are probably lots and lots more but nothing else comes to mind at the moment!!!

 

[Extollager]

Yes, BBBob-- I'm sure there are lots more -- and I hope we'll keep seeing further identifications & comments on them.

Of particular value for me personally might be ones with dull titles but excellent content. There was kind of a fad for dull titles when Simak and Asimov were writing sf short stories and, I suppose, novellas. I might, then, have passed up something really good just because the title was so terribly bland. But good novellas with good titles too are welcome for mention.

 

[Pyan]

I'm a big fan of the original shorter versions of stories released later as an authorial novel length fix up. For instance, "Enders Game" by Card works better for me as the original short story rather than the novel it later became.

Agreed - as does Flowers for Algernon, by Daniel Keyes, IMHO.

 

[JimC]

Yup.

 

[Extollager]

Anyone who likes The Man Who was Thursday by G. K. Chesterton would probably find it of interest.

And, as long as I'm commenting, two more novellas:
Edgar Pangborn: "Angel's Egg" & "Longtooth"

(Not 100% sure that last is technically of novella length.)

Randy M.

That Chesterton remark helped to get me to read Heinlein’s “Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hong” — thanks.

 

[Don]

Here's my review of “The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hong”, with spoilers redacted:

This story takes place in Chicago during the middle of the twentieth century. Heinlein does a good job with his describing his setting. He takes me back to the era of gum vending machines with mirrors, double decker buses, and elevator operators.

The story begins with a Dr Potbury ejecting one Jonathan Hoag out of his clinic. Hoag wants to know about the brown grime under his fingernails. Instead of receiving an answer the doctor throws him out. The name of the brown grime is the best part of the story because it is a new word to me.

Hoag suffers from amnesia. That's why he went to Potbury in the first place. After Potbury gives him the bum's rush Hoag next turns to a husband and wife private detective agency. Detectives Mr and Mrs Randall ultimately discover Hoag's secret.

There's little character development in the story. Unless characters who permanently alter their daily routines count as development.

It's an enjoyable story, which is re-read by me from time to time.

 

[tegeus-Cromis]

Anyone mention Spinrad's "Riding the Torch" yet?

 

[Rodders]

Alistair Reynolds Diamond Dogs and Turquoise Days were collected in the same volume.

Both were great, but i did prefer DD as the ending was great and i loved the idea of the Bloodspire.

 

[Randy M.]

Anyone mention Spinrad's "Riding the Torch" yet?

It's been so long since I read it, I don't recall it anymore. I should dig it out.

Extollager, I had you in mind when I made the comment.

Randy M.