Science Fiction Novellas You Particularly Like

[BigBadBob141]

Has anyone read "Waldo" by Robert A. Heinlein, it's interesting because the main character is physically disabled and uses mechanical devices to get around, not sure when this was written , probably the 40s or 50s but now days devices used for the remote handling of dangerous materials ie. radioactive are today called "waldos"!

 

[Extollager]

Have it, haven’t read it.

 

[Don]

"Waldo" by Anson MacDonald appears in the August 1942 edition of Astounding. I haven't read it. The issue has a most interesting cover:

 

[BigBadBob141]

REF: Don.
Thanks for the link, I will have to re-read this one soon!!!


Wow, just been browsing this web site, this is fantastic, there's lots and lots of great material to read here, thanks a lot!!!

 

[hitmouse]

I have read it. Quite a good story. I got it in a paperback with 2 REH novellas, the other one being Magic Inc, which I don’t remember at all. Need to dig that one out.

 

[JimC]

"Waldo" is one of Robert's words that made it into the English language (like grok).
It is still in use today and was quite a good story.
So was 'Magic, Inc.'
If you like Robert's fantasy, try 'Our Fair City'.

 

[Randy M.]

I haven't read it, but I've read that Waldo comes from Theodore Sturgeon; it was his real last name. Apparently Heinlein was a fan/friend.

Randy M.

 

[BigBadBob141]

Here's one of my favorites I've just this moment remembered.
"The New One" by Fredrick Brown, loved the ending in this one!
Also try "Scanners Live In Vain" by Cordwainer Smith, "Surface Tension" by James Blish, "Two Dooms" also "The Marching Morons" and in the same universe "The Little Black Bag" (short story) all by C.M.Kornbluth, plus the Fafhrd and Gray Mouser stories by Fritz Lieber a lot of which are novellas, loved "The Bizarre Of The Bizarre" (short story), just imagine the surprise you would have if you bought the contents of the giant bird cage!
And of course not to forget "The Big Front Yard" by Clifford D. Simak, "Second Variety" by Phillip K. Dick and "Exploration Team" by Murray Leinster also don't miss his short story "A Logic Named Joe" published in 1946 which predicts the internet!
Plus one of the greatest novellas of all time (pun), "The Time Machine" by Herbert George Wells!!!
If I can think of any more I will let you know.

P.S. Hitmouse , I have the same book, it's where I read "Waldo" but it's been a long time since I've read it.

 

[JimC]

"Apparently Heinlein was a fan/friend".

And vice versa. Per Ginny - Once, when Sturgeon's typewriter was broken, and he didn't have enough money for repair; Robert gave him a replacement. Another time, when Sturgeon was suffering from writer's block, Robert sent him a long list of plot ideas. Several of Sturgeon's stories came from that list.

 

[JimC]

The Big Front Yard is a great story, and Kelly Freas' Astounding cover illustration is one of the best of all time.

 

[BigBadBob141]

Yes it is a great cover, it sums up the story really well!

 

[JimC]

I tried to upload an image of Kelly's Big Front Yard illustration, but my computer balked.
As an aside, one of Kelly's last paintings was done as a a gift to me, a portrait of Robert and Ginny. My apologies for the crappy focus - my phone camera isn't the best.

 

[BigBadBob141]

Not a novella but a novel "Citizen Of The Galaxy" by Heinlein, this is done as a talking book on You Tube, about right hours long but well worth it, and very well done it is too, the character of Baslem The Beggar sounds like Sean Connery which is very apt.

 

[clovis-man]

Almost new compared to many, but I thought All Systems Red by Martha Wells was very good. The following three novellas were also worthhile.

 

[Danny McG]

Another 'new' one that's worth reading:
Robert Reed "Eater of Bone"