(A posthumous non-fiction collection. This article was published in FSF, April 1971.)
Anderson was first published in an sf mag in 1944.
He was prolific and, uniquely, his work was of consistently high quality. Blish though that Anderson was the only surviving Golden Age Astounding author whose work had not gone downhill. He identifies Anderson as:
scientist
technician
stylist
bard
humanist
humorist
artist
- and immune to changes in fashion.
Blish had labelled Anderson's works as "hard copy," meaning deeply felt and carefully crafted, but was taken to mean scientifically correct, hence the term "hard sf" - which Anderson also wrote. His electrons were not miniature planets and his asteroids did not have jungles. Blish praises Tau Zero, The Day After Doomsday, "Sister Planet," The High Crusade and "A Bicycle Built for Brew," but was not so keen on "Hoka."
He points out yet another Biblical quotation, this one in "Sister Planet": Ezekiel 7: 3-4.
Anderson's works were not just adventures, tragedies etc but wholes. He deliberately appealed to at least three senses in every scene. He appealed for "unitary" sf combining every aspect of life which is a good prescription for any kind of fiction.
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
I basically agree with Blish's views of Anderson's stories, except for disagreeing with his low rating of the Hoka stories co-authored with Dickson. I really don't understand why so many critics are so down about the Hokas. There is room in science fiction for stories which are simply meant to be fun. Not everything needs to be ponderously solemn and portentous!
"The Make-Shift Rocket" was another story Anderson wrote simply meant to be humorous and fun to read. Plus, in "A Message in Secret," we see Anderson having some good-humored fun with Dominic Flandry.
We should lighten up and have some comedy in our reading.
Ad astra! Sean
Blish praised Anderson as a humourist and fully appreciated "A Bicycle Built for Brew."
Kaor, Paul!
Good, I'm glad! Not everything we read needs to be grim.
Ad astra! Sean
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