Mutants. edited by Robert Silverberg. 1974
MUTANTS
RATED 77% POSITIVE. STORY SCORE = 3.82 OUT OF 5
11 STORIES : 3 GREAT / 3 GOOD / 5 AVERAGE / 0 POOR / 0 DNF
Another fun and short anthology of Robert Silverberg, who’s Trips in Time I just reviewed last week. While not nearly as strong as that previous anthology, there is still much to enjoy.
Silverberg has obviously attempted to include stories that examine Mutants from many different Science Fictional directions. In his own words…
We have some stories in which the mutant looks normal but has extraordinary mental powers, and others populated by two-headed people, giant insects, plants with teeth, and other wonders. They all demonstrate science fiction’s marvelous diversity.
Mutants is a fast and wild read, but real reason to pick it up are to read two of the very finest stories in the history of Science Fiction: It’s a Good Life & Hothouse. There is also a great story from Ralph Milne Farley as well.
It's a Good Life • (1953) • short story by Jerome Bixby. The classic story of a young boy with horrible mental powers and the adults forced to saying that everything is always “Good.” This is a terrifying and deeply haunting short story, even if you’ve seen the excellent episode of The Twilight Zone that was based on it.
Hothouse • (1961) • novelette by Brian W. Aldiss. Wow! I was blown away the richness of this world and the world building elements. This is a masterpiece full of wild invention. In the far future, the world is a dangerous place for the frail green humans that live amongst enormous trees and animal-like plant life. Also, Giant space spiders!
Liquid Life • (1936) • novelette by Ralph Milne Farley. A very cool idea and action packed. Liquid become sentient, but the process of studying the entity puts the entire world in danger. Pulpy fun, but also quite smart.
MUTANTS IS RATED 77% POSITIVE
11 STORIES : 3 GREAT / 3 GOOD / 5 AVERAGE / 0 POOR / 0 DNF
How do I arrive at a rating?
Tomorrow's Children • (1947) • novelette by Poul Anderson and F. N. Waldrop
Good. A returning spy after a brutal war is sent to try to bring the surviving Americans together and finds mutated children.
It's a Good Life • (1953) • short story by Jerome Bixby
Great. The classic story of a young boy with horrible mental powers and the adults forced to saying that everything is always “Good.”
The Mute Question • (1950) • short story by Forrest J. Ackerman
Average. A short short joke story where a man with too many heads talks to a man with too few.
Let the Ants Try • (1949) • short story by Frederik Pohl
Good. Fun story where mutated ants are given the chance to take over the world via Time Travel.
The Conqueror • (1952) • short story by Mark Clifton
Average. Mutant Dahlias in Guatemala slowly transform the people around them … and the world.
Liquid Life • (1936) • novelette by Ralph Milne Farley
Great. Smart and action packed. Liquid become sentient, but the process of studying the entity puts the entire world in danger.
Hothouse • (1961) • novelette by Brian W. Aldiss
Great. A masterpiece full of wild invention. In the far future, the world is a dangerous place for the green humans that live amongst enormous trees and animal-like plants life. Also, Giant space spiders!
Ozymandias • (1972) • short story by Terry Carr
Average. Run of the mill post-apocalyptic story with advanced mental mutants and uncivilized barbarians dancing towards a vault.
The Man Who Never Forgot • (1958) • short story by Robert Silverberg
Average. Young man escapes home when his perfect memory gets his in trouble.
Ginny Wrapped in the Sun • (1967) • short story by R. A. Lafferty
Good. Weird but kinda wonderful story about a young girl that might be regressing/advancing towards a type of monkey.
Watershed • (1955) • short story by James Blish
Average. Discussions about the role of altered-men and human rights, as a spaceship returns to far future earth.
