Reviews for The Magazine of fantasy and science fiction

The average rating for The Magazine of fantasy and science fiction based on 2 reviews is 3 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2014-08-03 00:00:00 Jarrod Dee Overall this wasn't a bad collection. There were some outstanding stories, but also some that were not so good. It was worth reading for the good ones and also the science article. The following are my thoughts on each story. Fondley Fahrenheit by Alfred Bester: (2) Really struggled with this. Wasn't sure how many characters were in the story, but in the end I think I figured it out. Books by Algis Budrys: Book review column covering The Pleasure Tube by Robert Onopa and Stardance by Spider Robinson. I have read Stardance but had never heard of The Pleasure Tube. Interesting comment in the review on it "I think I can almost promise you that this book will still be around, and referred to among us, years from now". And Now The News by Theodore Sturgeon: (3.5) I liked this story. Its not your typical story. There is very little conversation, but the more I read the more it grew on me. Not With A Bang by Damon Knight: (3.5) An end of the world story about the last 2 people alive. Interesting little story with a surprising end. Flowers For Aldgernon by Daniel Keyes: (6) This story addresses an issue which even today is probably not talked about greatly and that is people who are below average intelligence. It is told through a journal that Charlie (the main character) keeps. It details the lead up to his operation and the outcome from it. In it he also talks about how he goes out with his friends and how they have a good time and laugh a lot, but later he realises that they are not laughing with him but at him. This abuse is not something I have come across before in a story. One of the things I like about the story is how Charlie views other people and how those views change as the story progresses. This story tugs at the heart strings as it follows Charlie's ups and down. I would recommend it to anyone it is superb. Cartoons: A smile or two. A Canticle For Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr.: (4) I really liked this. I had read the novel which this forms part of, but this stands well on its own. Its a nice little piece about a Monk in a post atomic future and how finding some artifacts effects him. There are only 5 or 6 scenes in to but they are very well done. Worth the read even if you have read the novel. One Ordinary Day, With Peanuts by Shirley Jackson: (4) Another story I really like. I struggle to find any science fiction or fantasy in it, but its about a man doing good deeds and, in the end, how things balance out. Again well worth the read. The Women Men Don't See by James Tiptree Jr.: (3) Strange little story that I didn't quite know what to make of, but in the end it quite liked it, yet the ending came out of left field. Born of Man and Woman by Richard Matheson: (1) If it was Thanksgiving, we at least have a turkey! All You Zombies- by Robert A. Heinlein: (3.5) A time travel story which I'm sure breaks causes half a dozen paradoxes yet still got read. Jeffty Is Five by Harlan Ellison: (3.5) This is a sort of story about trying to hang on to you childhood. Its never explain how it works, but that doesn't matter the story is what counts. I guess it might because I'm older and my childhood seems a very long time ago. Ararat by Zenna Henderson: (2.5) A nice story, but its rather predictable. It really needed a bit of suspense. Sundance by Robert Silverberg: (2) Rather confusing story. It starts of with quite a thought provoking story then at then end get rather confusing which rather ruins it. The Gnurrs Come From the Voodwork Out by R. Bretnor: (3.5) A fun story which is the first in a series. Definitely brought a smile to my face. Films by Baird Searles: The film reviewed is Alien. Its strange reading a review of a film that's over 35 years old. Mind you its even scarier that Alien is 35 years old. Dreaming Is A Private Thing by Isaac Asimov: (3) A nice little story about the future of the entertainment industry. Poor Little Warrior by Brian W. Aldiss: (2.5) Reminded me of the second Jurassic Park movie. We Cam Remember It For You Wholesale by Philip K. Dick: (4) This is the story on which the film Total Recall is based, however there are big differences between the two and if you didn't like the film you might still like this. I really enjoyed this story and wanted more of it, Selectra Six-Ten by Avram Davidson: (1) Just didn't get this one. Science by Isaac Asimov: (4) This is a science fact piece and Asimov covers the changes in knowledge about the solar system in the 30 years since F&SF. Its a fascinating piece and I really would like to see a follow up one about what has changed in the 35 years since this was written. Problems With Creativeness by Thomas M. Disch: (2) This was an okay story, by nothing in it grabbed me. The Quest for Saint Aquin by Anthony Boucher: (1.5) This just didn't do it for me.

Review # 2 was written on 2009-04-09 00:00:00 Dave La Velle SF-Fer