Dangerous Visions
Encyclopedia
Dangerous Visions is a science fiction
short story
anthology
edited by Harlan Ellison
, published in 1967
.
A path-breaking collection, Dangerous Visions helped define the New Wave
science fiction movement, particularly in its depiction of sex in science fiction
. Writer/editor Al Sarrantonio
writes how Dangerous Visions "almost single-handedly [...] changed the way readers thought about science fiction."
The list of the authors' names reads like a Who's Who
of 1960s science fiction. Ellison introduced the anthology both collectively and individually while authors provided afterwords to their own stories.
received both a Hugo Award
and a Nebula Award
for Best Novelette
, whilst Philip K. Dick
's submission "Faith of our Fathers
" was a nominee for the Hugo in the same category. Philip José Farmer
tied for the Hugo Award for Best Novella
for "Riders of the Purple Wage
". Samuel R. Delany
won the Nebula for Best Short Story for "Aye, and Gomorrah..." Harlan Ellison received a special citation at the 26th World SF Convention
for editing "the most significant and controversial SF book published in 1967."
. The projected third collection, The Last Dangerous Visions
, was started, but controversially remains unpublished. The final book has become something of a legend as science fiction's most famous unpublished book. It was originally announced for publication in 1973, but other work demanded Ellison's attention and the anthology has not seen print to date. He has come under criticism for his treatment of some writers who submitted their stories to him, whom some estimate to number nearly 150 (and many of whom have died in the ensuing almost four decades since the anthology was first announced). In 1993 Ellison threatened to sue New England Science Fiction Association
(NESFA) for publishing Himself in Anachron, a short story written by Cordwainer Smith
and sold to Ellison for the book by his widow, but later reached an amicable settlement. British SF author Christopher Priest critiqued Ellison's editorial practices in a widely-disseminated article titled The Book on the Edge of Forever. Priest documented a half-dozen instances in which Ellison promised TLDV would appear within a year of the statement, but did not fulfill those promises. Ellison has a record of fulfilling obligations in other instances, including to writers whose stories he solicited, and has expressed outrage at other editors who have displayed poor practices.
accompany each short story.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
short story
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
anthology
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
edited by Harlan Ellison
Harlan Ellison
Harlan Jay Ellison is an American writer. His principal genre is speculative fiction.His published works include over 1,700 short stories, novellas, screenplays, teleplays, essays, a wide range of criticism covering literature, film, television, and print media...
, published in 1967
1967 in literature
The year 1967 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*Influential science fiction anthology Dangerous Visions published.*Cecil Day-Lewis is selected as the new Poet Laureate of the UK.-New books:...
.
A path-breaking collection, Dangerous Visions helped define the New Wave
New Wave (science fiction)
New Wave is a term applied to science fiction produced in the 1960s and 1970s and characterized by a high degree of experimentation, both in form and in content, a "literary" or artistic sensibility, and a focus on "soft" as opposed to hard science. The term "New Wave" is borrowed from the French...
science fiction movement, particularly in its depiction of sex in science fiction
Sex in science fiction
Sexuality in science fiction refers to the incorporation of sexual themes into science fiction or related genres. Such elements may include depictions of realistic sexual interactions in a science fictional setting, a character with an alternative sexuality as the protagonist, or exploration of the...
. Writer/editor Al Sarrantonio
Al Sarrantonio
Al Sarrantonio is an American horror and science fiction author who has published, over the past thirty-five years, more than forty-five books and eighty short stories...
writes how Dangerous Visions "almost single-handedly [...] changed the way readers thought about science fiction."
The list of the authors' names reads like a Who's Who
Marquis Who's Who
Marquis Who's Who, a subsidiary of News Communications, Inc., is the American publisher of a number of directories containing short biographies...
of 1960s science fiction. Ellison introduced the anthology both collectively and individually while authors provided afterwords to their own stories.
Awards and nominations
The stories and the anthology itself were nominated for and the recipients of many awards. "Gonna Roll the Bones" by Fritz LeiberFritz Leiber
Fritz Reuter Leiber, Jr. was an American writer of fantasy, horror and science fiction. He was also a poet, actor in theatre and films, playwright, expert chess player and a champion fencer. Possibly his greatest chess accomplishment was winning clear first in the 1958 Santa Monica Open.. With...
received both a Hugo Award
Hugo Award
The Hugo Awards are given annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was officially named the Science Fiction Achievement Awards...
and a Nebula Award
Nebula Award
The Nebula Award is given each year by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America , for the best science fiction/fantasy fiction published in the United States during the previous year...
for Best Novelette
Novelette
A novelette is a piece of short prose fiction. The distinction between a novelette and other literary forms is usually based upon word count, with a novelette being longer than a short story, but shorter than a novella...
, whilst Philip K. Dick
Philip K. Dick
Philip Kindred Dick was an American novelist, short story writer and essayist whose published work is almost entirely in the science fiction genre. Dick explored sociological, political and metaphysical themes in novels dominated by monopolistic corporations, authoritarian governments and altered...
's submission "Faith of our Fathers
Faith of our Fathers
"Faith of Our Fathers" is a science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick, first published in the anthology Dangerous Visions . It was nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Novelette in 1968....
" was a nominee for the Hugo in the same category. Philip José Farmer
Philip José Farmer
Philip José Farmer was an American author, principally known for his award-winning science fiction and fantasy novels and short stories....
tied for the Hugo Award for Best Novella
Novella
A novella is a written, fictional, prose narrative usually longer than a novelette but shorter than a novel. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America Nebula Awards for science fiction define the novella as having a word count between 17,500 and 40,000...
for "Riders of the Purple Wage
Riders of the Purple Wage
Riders of the Purple Wage is a science fiction novella by Philip José Farmer. It appeared in Dangerous Visions, the famous New Wave science fiction anthology compiled by Harlan Ellison, in 1967, and won the Hugo Award for best novella in 1968, jointly with Weyr Search by Anne McCaffrey.-Title:The...
". Samuel R. Delany
Samuel R. Delany
Samuel Ray Delany, Jr., also known as "Chip" is an American author, professor and literary critic. His work includes a number of novels, many in the science fiction genre, as well as memoir, criticism, and essays on sexuality and society.His science fiction novels include Babel-17, The Einstein...
won the Nebula for Best Short Story for "Aye, and Gomorrah..." Harlan Ellison received a special citation at the 26th World SF Convention
Worldcon
Worldcon, or more formally The World Science Fiction Convention, is a science fiction convention held each year since 1939 . It is the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society...
for editing "the most significant and controversial SF book published in 1967."
Sequels
The popular collection was followed by an even larger 1972 sequel, Again, Dangerous VisionsAgain, Dangerous Visions
Again, Dangerous Visions is the sequel to the science fiction short story anthology Dangerous Visions, first published in 1972. It was edited by Harlan Ellison and illustrated by Ed Emshwiller....
. The projected third collection, The Last Dangerous Visions
The Last Dangerous Visions
The Last Dangerous Visions was a planned sequel to the science fiction short story anthologies Dangerous Visions and Again, Dangerous Visions, originally published in 1967 and 1972 respectively. It is edited by Harlan Ellison....
, was started, but controversially remains unpublished. The final book has become something of a legend as science fiction's most famous unpublished book. It was originally announced for publication in 1973, but other work demanded Ellison's attention and the anthology has not seen print to date. He has come under criticism for his treatment of some writers who submitted their stories to him, whom some estimate to number nearly 150 (and many of whom have died in the ensuing almost four decades since the anthology was first announced). In 1993 Ellison threatened to sue New England Science Fiction Association
New England Science Fiction Association
The New England Science Fiction Association, or NESFA, is a science fiction club centered in the New England area. It was founded in 1967, "by fans who wanted to do things in addition to socializing"...
(NESFA) for publishing Himself in Anachron, a short story written by Cordwainer Smith
Cordwainer Smith
Cordwainer Smith – pronounced CORDwainer – was the pseudonym used by American author Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger for his science fiction works. Linebarger was a noted East Asia scholar and expert in psychological warfare...
and sold to Ellison for the book by his widow, but later reached an amicable settlement. British SF author Christopher Priest critiqued Ellison's editorial practices in a widely-disseminated article titled The Book on the Edge of Forever. Priest documented a half-dozen instances in which Ellison promised TLDV would appear within a year of the statement, but did not fulfill those promises. Ellison has a record of fulfilling obligations in other instances, including to writers whose stories he solicited, and has expressed outrage at other editors who have displayed poor practices.
Contents
Illustrations by Leo and Diane DillonLeo and Diane Dillon
Leo and Diane Dillon are an American husband and wife team of illustrators. Among their awards are two consecutive Caldecott Medals for the children's books Why Mosquitoes Buzz In People's Ears and Ashanti To Zulu: African Traditions....
accompany each short story.
- Foreword 1 - The Second Revolution by Isaac AsimovIsaac AsimovIsaac Asimov was an American author and professor of biochemistry at Boston University, best known for his works of science fiction and for his popular science books. Asimov was one of the most prolific writers of all time, having written or edited more than 500 books and an estimated 90,000...
- Foreword 2 - Harlan and I by Isaac Asimov
- Thirty-Two Soothsayers (introduction) by Harlan Ellison
- Evensong by Lester del ReyLester del ReyLester del Rey was an American science fiction author and editor. Del Rey was the author of many of the Winston Science Fiction juvenile SF series, and the editor at Del Rey Books, the fantasy and science fiction branch of Ballantine Books, along with his fourth wife Judy-Lynn del Rey.-Birth...
. This is described by its author as an allegoryAllegoryAllegory is a demonstrative form of representation explaining meaning other than the words that are spoken. Allegory communicates its message by means of symbolic figures, actions or symbolic representation...
. It details the capture of a being, identified at the end of the story as GodGodGod is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
, by ManHumanHumans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
, which has usurped God's power. - Flies by Robert SilverbergRobert SilverbergRobert Silverberg is an American author, best known for writing science fiction. He is a multiple nominee of the Hugo Award and a winner of the Nebula Award.-Early years:...
. It was inspired by a quote from King LearKing LearKing Lear is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. The title character descends into madness after foolishly disposing of his estate between two of his three daughters based on their flattery, bringing tragic consequences for all. The play is based on the legend of Leir of Britain, a mythological...
: "As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods. They kill us for their sport." - The Day After the Day the Martians CameThe Day After the Day the Martians Came"The Day After the Day the Martians Came" is a short story by Frederik Pohl from Harlan Ellison's Dangerous Visions, which shows how humans can laugh at any minority group...
by Frederik PohlFrederik PohlFrederik George Pohl, Jr. is an American science fiction writer, editor and fan, with a career spanning over seventy years — from his first published work, "Elegy to a Dead Planet: Luna" , to his most recent novel, All the Lives He Led .He won the National Book Award in 1980 for his novel Jem... - Riders of the Purple WageRiders of the Purple WageRiders of the Purple Wage is a science fiction novella by Philip José Farmer. It appeared in Dangerous Visions, the famous New Wave science fiction anthology compiled by Harlan Ellison, in 1967, and won the Hugo Award for best novella in 1968, jointly with Weyr Search by Anne McCaffrey.-Title:The...
by Philip José FarmerPhilip José FarmerPhilip José Farmer was an American author, principally known for his award-winning science fiction and fantasy novels and short stories....
(Hugo AwardHugo AwardThe Hugo Awards are given annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was officially named the Science Fiction Achievement Awards...
for best novellaNovellaA novella is a written, fictional, prose narrative usually longer than a novelette but shorter than a novel. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America Nebula Awards for science fiction define the novella as having a word count between 17,500 and 40,000...
) - The Malley SystemThe Malley SystemThe Malley System is a short story by Miriam Allen deFord from Harlan Ellison's science fiction anthology Dangerous Visions, about a system dealing with homicidal criminals....
by Miriam Allen deFordMiriam Allen deFordMiriam Allen DeFord was an American writer.Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she worked as a newspaper reporter for a time and, in the early 1900s, was also a campaigner and disseminator of birth control information to women. She spent perhaps the most energy in mystery fiction and science... - A Toy for JulietteA Toy for Juliette"A Toy for Juliette" is a short story by Robert Bloch from Harlan Ellison's Dangerous Visions, about Jack the Ripper, being pulled into a dystopic future by a sadistic femme fatale and her mysterious grandfather. There, she attempts to seduce him, only for Jack to find a knife underneath a pillow...
by Robert BlochRobert BlochRobert Albert Bloch was a prolific American writer, primarily of crime, horror and science fiction. He is best known as the writer of Psycho, the basis for the film of the same name by Alfred Hitchcock... - The Prowler in the City at the Edge of the WorldThe Prowler in the City at the Edge of the World"The Prowler in the City at the Edge of the World", is a short story from Harlan Ellison's 1967 anthology, Dangerous Visions, in which he presents a collection of several different views of science fiction and fantasy, through 34 authors...
by Harlan EllisonHarlan EllisonHarlan Jay Ellison is an American writer. His principal genre is speculative fiction.His published works include over 1,700 short stories, novellas, screenplays, teleplays, essays, a wide range of criticism covering literature, film, television, and print media... - The Night That All Time Broke OutThe Night That All Time Broke OutThe Night That All Time Broke Out is a short story by Brian W. Aldiss from Harlan Ellison's Dangerous Visions, in which an uncontrolled eruption of "time gas" resets the clock on civilization....
by Brian W. Aldiss - The Man Who Went to the Moon — Twice by Howard Rodman
- Faith of Our FathersFaith of our Fathers"Faith of Our Fathers" is a science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick, first published in the anthology Dangerous Visions . It was nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Novelette in 1968....
by Philip K. DickPhilip K. DickPhilip Kindred Dick was an American novelist, short story writer and essayist whose published work is almost entirely in the science fiction genre. Dick explored sociological, political and metaphysical themes in novels dominated by monopolistic corporations, authoritarian governments and altered... - The Jigsaw ManThe Jigsaw Man"The Jigsaw Man" is a short story in the Known Space universe by Larry Niven. The story was first published in Harlan Ellison's anthology Dangerous Visions, and is included in Niven's collections All the Myriad Ways and Tales of Known Space....
by Larry NivenLarry NivenLaurence van Cott Niven / ˈlæri ˈnɪvən/ is an American science fiction author. His best-known work is Ringworld , which received Hugo, Locus, Ditmar, and Nebula awards. His work is primarily hard science fiction, using big science concepts and theoretical physics... - Gonna Roll the BonesGonna Roll the Bones"Gonna Roll the Bones" is a short story by Fritz Leiber, in which Joe Slattermill plays craps with Death. First published in Harlan Ellison's Dangerous Visions, it won both the Hugo Award and Nebula Award for Best Novelette.-Summary:...
by Fritz LeiberFritz LeiberFritz Reuter Leiber, Jr. was an American writer of fantasy, horror and science fiction. He was also a poet, actor in theatre and films, playwright, expert chess player and a champion fencer. Possibly his greatest chess accomplishment was winning clear first in the 1958 Santa Monica Open.. With...
(HugoHugo AwardThe Hugo Awards are given annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was officially named the Science Fiction Achievement Awards...
and NebulaNebula AwardThe Nebula Award is given each year by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America , for the best science fiction/fantasy fiction published in the United States during the previous year...
awards for Best Novelette) - Lord Randy, My SonLord Randy, My SonLord Randy, My Son is a short story by Joe L. Hensley from Harlan Ellison's science fiction anthology Dangerous Visions....
by Joe L. HensleyJoe L. HensleyJoseph Louis "Joe L." Hensley was a lawyer, prosecuting attorney, member of the Indiana General Assembly, circuit court judge, science fiction fan, and writer of science fiction and mysteries... - EutopiaEutopia (novella)"Eutopia" is a short story by Poul Anderson from Harlan Ellison's science fiction anthology Dangerous Visions.-Plot:At the beginning of the story, the protagonist is on the run. The protagonist encounters a town that helps him as he is their guest. They arrange a transport to take him home...
by Poul AndersonPoul AndersonPoul William Anderson was an American science fiction author who began his career during one of the Golden Ages of the genre and continued to write and remain popular into the 21st century. Anderson also authored several works of fantasy, historical novels, and a prodigious number of short stories... - Incident in ModeranIncident in ModeranIncident in Moderan is a short story by David R. Bunch from Harlan Ellison's science fiction anthology Dangerous Visions....
and The EscapingThe Escaping"The Escaping" is a short story by David R. Bunch from Harlan Ellison's science fiction anthology Dangerous Visions....
by David R. BunchDavid R. BunchDavid Roosevelt Bunch was an American writer of short stories and poetry. He worked mainly in the genres of science fiction, satire, surrealism, and literary fiction. Although prolific and critically acclaimed, Bunch remained obscure throughout his career... - The Doll-HouseThe Doll-House"The Doll-House" is a short story by James Cross from Harlan Ellison's science fiction anthology Dangerous Visions....
by James Cross (pseudonym) - Sex and/or Mr. MorrisonSex and/or Mr. Morrison"Sex and/or Mr. Morrison" is a short story by Carol Emshwiller from Harlan Ellison's science fiction anthology Dangerous Visions....
by Carol EmshwillerCarol EmshwillerCarol Emshwiller is an American writer of avant garde short stories and science fiction who has won prizes ranging from the Nebula Award to the Philip K. Dick Award. Ursula K... - Shall the Dust Praise Thee?Shall the Dust Praise Thee?"Shall the Dust Praise Thee?" is a science fiction short story by Damon Knight. It was first published in the anthology Dangerous Visions...
by Damon KnightDamon KnightDamon Francis Knight was an American science fiction author, editor, critic and fan. His forte was short stories and he is widely acknowledged as having been a master of the genre.-Biography:... - If All Men Were Brothers, Would You Let One Marry Your Sister?If All Men Were Brothers, Would You Let One Marry Your Sister?"If All Men Were Brothers, Would You Let One Marry Your Sister?" is a science fiction short story by Theodore Sturgeon. It first appeared in Harlan Ellison's anthology Dangerous Visions in 1967.-Plot synopsis:...
by Theodore SturgeonTheodore SturgeonTheodore Sturgeon was an American science fiction author.His most famous novel is More Than Human .-Biography:... - What Happened to Auguste Clarot? by Larry EisenbergLarry EisenbergLawrence Eisenberg is a science fiction writer. He is best known for his short story "What Happened to Auguste Clarot?," published in Harlan Ellison's groundbreaking anthology Dangerous Visions...
- Ersatz by Henry SlesarHenry SlesarHenry Slesar was an American author, playwright, and copywriter. He was also known as O.H. Leslie and Jay Street.-Early life:...
- Go, Go, Go, Said the BirdGo, Go, Go, Said the Bird"Go, Go, Go, Said the Bird" is a short story by Sonya Dorman from Harlan Ellison's science fiction anthology Dangerous Visions.The story begins as the female protagonist is being chased by unknown assailants. As she runs she reminisces about her life and the degrading living conditions of the...
by Sonya DormanSonya DormanSonya Dorman was the working name of Sonya Dorman Hess. She was born in New York City in 1924 and died in Taos, New Mexico on February 14, 2005 at the age of 80.... - The Happy BreedThe Happy BreedThe Happy Breed is a short story by John Sladek from Harlan Ellison's Dangerous Visions . It details the lifestyle of the five last adult-like humans in a world of completely machine-dependent "zombies"....
by John SladekJohn SladekJohn Thomas Sladek was an American science fiction author, known for his satirical and surreal novels.- Life and work :... - Encounter with a HickEncounter with a Hick"Encounter with a Hick" is a short story by Jonathan Brand from Harlan Ellison's science fiction anthology Dangerous Visions.A young man is explaining to a police officer why an old man he was sitting with dropped dead. The man states that his father is a "creator", and owns several planets. He was...
by Jonathan Brand - From the Government Printing OfficeFrom the Government Printing Office"From the Government Printing Office" is a short story by Kris Neville from Harlan Ellison's science fiction anthology Dangerous Visions....
by Kris Neville - Land of the Great HorsesLand of the Great Horses"Land of the Great Horses" is a short story by R. A. Lafferty from Harlan Ellison's science fiction anthology Dangerous Visions. The story takes a broad view of the earth after extraterrestrials return the native land of the Romany , on which they had been experimenting...
by R. A. LaffertyR. A. LaffertyRaphael Aloysius Lafferty was an American science fiction and fantasy writer known for his original use of language, metaphor, and narrative structure, as well as for his etymological wit... - The RecognitionThe Recognition"The Recognition" is a short story by English author J. G. Ballard, originally included in Harlan Ellison's science fiction anthology Dangerous Visions....
by J. G. BallardJ. G. BallardJames Graham Ballard was an English novelist, short story writer, and prominent member of the New Wave movement in science fiction... - JudasJudas (short story)"Judas" is a short story by John Brunner from Harlan Ellison's anthology Dangerous Visions. The story examines a modern allegory of the Biblical figure of Judas....
by John BrunnerJohn Brunner (novelist)John Kilian Houston Brunner was a prolific British author of science fiction novels and stories. His 1968 novel Stand on Zanzibar, about an overpopulated world, won the 1968 Hugo Award for best science fiction novel. It also won the BSFA award the same year... - Test to DestructionTest to Destruction"Test to Destruction" is a short story by Keith Laumer from Harlan Ellison's science fiction anthology Dangerous Visions . It also appears in A Plague of Demons and Other Stories, a posthumous Laumer omnibus edited by Eric Flint and published in 2003.Plot The leader of a rebellion is questioned in...
by Keith LaumerKeith LaumerJohn Keith Laumer was an American science fiction author. Prior to becoming a full-time writer, he was an officer in the United States Air Force and a U.S. diplomat... - Carcinoma AngelsCarcinoma Angels"Carcinoma Angels" is a short story by Norman Spinrad first published in Harlan Ellison's science fiction anthology Dangerous Visions. It is a humorous story about cancer.-Story:...
by Norman SpinradNorman SpinradNorman Richard Spinrad is an American science fiction author.Born in New York City, Spinrad is a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science. In 1957 he entered City College of New York and graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree as a pre-law major. In 1966 he moved to San Francisco,... - Auto-da-FéAuto-da-Fé (short story)"Auto-da-Fé" is a short story by Roger Zelazny from Harlan Ellison's science fiction anthology Dangerous Visions.The title is a play on words involving the phrases auto-da-fé and automobile....
by Roger ZelaznyRoger ZelaznyRoger Joseph Zelazny was an American writer of fantasy and science fiction short stories and novels, best known for his The Chronicles of Amber series... - Aye, and GomorrahAye, and Gomorrah"Aye, and Gomorrah..." is a famous science fiction short story by Samuel R. Delany. It is Delany's first sold short story, and won the 1967 Nebula Award for best short story. Before it appeared in Driftglass and Aye, and Gomorrah, and other stories, it was first published as the closing tale in...
by Samuel R. DelanySamuel R. DelanySamuel Ray Delany, Jr., also known as "Chip" is an American author, professor and literary critic. His work includes a number of novels, many in the science fiction genre, as well as memoir, criticism, and essays on sexuality and society.His science fiction novels include Babel-17, The Einstein...
(Nebula AwardNebula AwardThe Nebula Award is given each year by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America , for the best science fiction/fantasy fiction published in the United States during the previous year...
for best short story, 1967)