1956 Hugo Nominee List Rediscovered
September 23, 2017 6:33 PM Subscribe
"When the Received Wisdom is Wrong" by Mike Glyer: "This month fanhistorians were turned on their ears when a previously unknown shortlist of 1956 Hugo nominees came to light ... As the official Hugo Award site explained when they updated the entry for 1956 – 'We thank Olav Rokne for bringing to our attention an article on page 15 of the 1956 Worldcon Progress Report 3 ...'" Several previously unacknowledged fiction nominees are available online.
Best Novel
Best Novel
- Double Star by Robert A. Heinlein
- Call Him Dead by Eric Frank Russell
- The End of Eternity by Isaac Asimov
- Not this August by Cyril Kornbluth
- The Long Tomorrow by Leigh Brackett
- "Exploration Team" by Murray Leinster
- "A Gun for Dinosaur" by L. Sprague de Camp
- "Brightside Crossing" by Alan Nourse
- "Home There's No Returning" by Henry Kuttner and C.L. Moore
- "Legwork" by Eric Frank Russell
- "The Assistant Self" by F.L. Wallace
- "The End of Summer" by Algis Budrys
- "Who?" by Theodore Sturgeon
- "The Star" [PDF] by Arthur C. Clarke
- "End as a World" by F.L. Wallace
- "King of the Hill" by James Blish
- "Nobody Bothers Gus" by Algis Budrys
- "The Game of Rat and Dragon" by Cordwainer Smith
- "The Dragon" by Ray Bradbury
- "Spy Story" by Robert Sheckley
- "Twink" by Theodore Sturgeon
Oh, god, I've read "The Star" in the (the first edition?) of The Hugo Winners and it stuck with me too. If you haven't read it then you should. All of those "Hugo Winners" Collections from back then are really filled with wondrous stories. Do strongly recommend.
posted by RolandOfEld at 7:15 PM on September 23, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by RolandOfEld at 7:15 PM on September 23, 2017 [9 favorites]
Did you notice how there was an exhortation, to meet in London, "Blog in the fog."
posted by Oyéah at 7:28 PM on September 23, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Oyéah at 7:28 PM on September 23, 2017 [1 favorite]
When I was a kid, we ended up owning a copy of the Best Science Fiction Stories of 1956. There were some great stories in that book.
posted by Oyéah at 7:29 PM on September 23, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Oyéah at 7:29 PM on September 23, 2017 [1 favorite]
Several good items there. And notice a young Bob Silverberg in the picture.
posted by Chrysostom at 7:38 PM on September 23, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Chrysostom at 7:38 PM on September 23, 2017 [1 favorite]
"Game of Rat and Dragon" by Cordwainer Smith is excellent, one of my favorite short stories by him, right up there with "Scanners Live in Vain."
And Alan Nourse! I read a ton of his books as a young schnitzengruben. I was always a little confused as a kid that the movie Blade Runner wasn't an adaptation of his novel of the same name, about underground surgeons.
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 8:26 PM on September 23, 2017 [7 favorites]
And Alan Nourse! I read a ton of his books as a young schnitzengruben. I was always a little confused as a kid that the movie Blade Runner wasn't an adaptation of his novel of the same name, about underground surgeons.
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 8:26 PM on September 23, 2017 [7 favorites]
God, Leigh Brackett was cheated out of best novel, unsurprisingly. Fuckin' Heinlein has always been the darling of the genre, and he's never deserved it.
posted by adrienneleigh at 9:39 PM on September 23, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by adrienneleigh at 9:39 PM on September 23, 2017 [4 favorites]
Fuckin' Heinlein has always been the darling of the genre, and he's never deserved it.
Horseshit.
:)
posted by brennen at 10:47 PM on September 23, 2017 [3 favorites]
Horseshit.
:)
posted by brennen at 10:47 PM on September 23, 2017 [3 favorites]
Wow, what a list.
Perhaps those arguing over Heinlein might like to fund and read this scholarly tome on the man and his work.
posted by Dan Brilliant at 2:19 AM on September 24, 2017 [2 favorites]
Perhaps those arguing over Heinlein might like to fund and read this scholarly tome on the man and his work.
posted by Dan Brilliant at 2:19 AM on September 24, 2017 [2 favorites]
I'm surprised no one's suggested that this might have slipped into our reality from an alternate timeline.
posted by Kattullus at 6:38 AM on September 24, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Kattullus at 6:38 AM on September 24, 2017 [3 favorites]
This is great, and what wonderful stories those were! I don't think I started reading sf (in a form suitable for a six- or seven-year-old: Tom Corbett: Space Cadet, Young Readers' Science Fiction Stories, etc.) for another year or two, but when I graduated to adult sf in the early '60s I went back and read all the "classic" stuff voraciously, and all the nominated names are familiar to me. Thanks for the nostalgic blast!
The only Worldcon I attended was Baycon in 1968, where one of the memorable moments was seeing Harlan entering an elevator surrounded by a swarm of women—speaking of which, check out this report on Detention '59 (and why "Detention"? I get the De- from Detroit, but...), which along with some great pictures includes the following anecdote:
posted by languagehat at 7:13 AM on September 24, 2017 [7 favorites]
The only Worldcon I attended was Baycon in 1968, where one of the memorable moments was seeing Harlan entering an elevator surrounded by a swarm of women—speaking of which, check out this report on Detention '59 (and why "Detention"? I get the De- from Detroit, but...), which along with some great pictures includes the following anecdote:
I understand that the pint-sized super-fan, Harlan Ellison (who has aspirations of becoming an author) attempted to woo a statuesque attendee with the line, "What would you say to a little f***?"A cheery attitude about sexual harassment. At least there's effective pushback these days.
To which, said attendee replied, "Hello, little f***!"
posted by languagehat at 7:13 AM on September 24, 2017 [7 favorites]
I love Farah Mendlesohn, her critical work is great, but jesus fuck i wish people would stop wasting ink on Heinlein.
posted by adrienneleigh at 1:22 PM on September 24, 2017
posted by adrienneleigh at 1:22 PM on September 24, 2017
languagehat, that sounds like something Asimov would say/type. Am I right?
posted by RolandOfEld at 3:50 PM on September 24, 2017
posted by RolandOfEld at 3:50 PM on September 24, 2017
Whoa, if I understand correctly, that guy is basically larping through his SF magazine collection? I love quixotic reading projects like that.
posted by Wobbuffet at 6:23 PM on September 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Wobbuffet at 6:23 PM on September 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
i wish people would stop wasting ink on Heinlein.
I'm not a fan, but there is a reason people keep mentioning him, it's because he is ideologically complicated. He has one foot planted in the old authoritarian modes, and another foot in alternate sexualities.
posted by ovvl at 7:14 PM on September 24, 2017
I'm not a fan, but there is a reason people keep mentioning him, it's because he is ideologically complicated. He has one foot planted in the old authoritarian modes, and another foot in alternate sexualities.
posted by ovvl at 7:14 PM on September 24, 2017
adrienneleigh: "God, Leigh Brackett was cheated out of best novel, unsurprisingly. Fuckin' Heinlein has always been the darling of the genre, and he's never deserved it."
I haven't read all of the nominees, so I don't feel comfortable saying Brackett was cheated. FWIW, Jo Walton has called Double Star one of Heinlein's best.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:11 PM on September 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
I haven't read all of the nominees, so I don't feel comfortable saying Brackett was cheated. FWIW, Jo Walton has called Double Star one of Heinlein's best.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:11 PM on September 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'm absolutely not going to cede the entire legacy of Heinlein to alt-right jackasses just because of their ambitions to write like a pale imitation of him.
posted by Artw at 8:22 PM on September 24, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by Artw at 8:22 PM on September 24, 2017 [4 favorites]
I mean - he was a prick, and he wrote a lot of stuff that was lousy! But not all of it.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:32 PM on September 24, 2017
posted by Chrysostom at 8:32 PM on September 24, 2017
Seems to be by this person.
Wait, is that a personal quote from that account or is that someone who goes about quoting from old magazines, books, articles, whatnot? 'Cuz I'm 100% certain I've read that quote before in a book intro or chapter in-and-of itself. I'm 90% Asimov when it comes to these sort of things, as in that's the person that does most of the intros of the books I cited and I also have a few standalone books of his where he goes into details/nuance like this. Anyway, I've read it before and it's not a modern retelling of what went down back then but is, absolutely, a modern quoting of someone back then who did a retelling of what went down, as of then, recently.
Smallest of nitpicks but a worthy one to me all the same since I tend to enjoy Asimov's wit and candor all the more for his willingness to pull no punches when it comes to things like this.
If all of our books weren't still in boxes I'd pull them out and take a look at finding the exact quote, which wouldn't be easy. It may have been related somewhere in the Asimov Laughs books as well... Another one that I highly recommend if anyone likes that sort of timely humor, sure there's some sexism in many of the limericks but I can forgive folks for being a product of their time and place that far at least.
posted by RolandOfEld at 8:27 AM on September 25, 2017
Wait, is that a personal quote from that account or is that someone who goes about quoting from old magazines, books, articles, whatnot? 'Cuz I'm 100% certain I've read that quote before in a book intro or chapter in-and-of itself. I'm 90% Asimov when it comes to these sort of things, as in that's the person that does most of the intros of the books I cited and I also have a few standalone books of his where he goes into details/nuance like this. Anyway, I've read it before and it's not a modern retelling of what went down back then but is, absolutely, a modern quoting of someone back then who did a retelling of what went down, as of then, recently.
Smallest of nitpicks but a worthy one to me all the same since I tend to enjoy Asimov's wit and candor all the more for his willingness to pull no punches when it comes to things like this.
If all of our books weren't still in boxes I'd pull them out and take a look at finding the exact quote, which wouldn't be easy. It may have been related somewhere in the Asimov Laughs books as well... Another one that I highly recommend if anyone likes that sort of timely humor, sure there's some sexism in many of the limericks but I can forgive folks for being a product of their time and place that far at least.
posted by RolandOfEld at 8:27 AM on September 25, 2017
Sad citation but folks seem to think it was Asimov here as well.
posted by RolandOfEld at 8:35 AM on September 25, 2017
posted by RolandOfEld at 8:35 AM on September 25, 2017
Ah ha. Jackpot.
One of the oddest, longest running disputes in the world of sci fi has been between Harlan Ellison and sci fi author William Tenn (real name Philip Klass, who is not to be confused with UFO skeptic Philip J Klass). The origins are somewhat murky. Rumor has it back in the '60s Tenn was up for a Hugo or Nebula award and Ellison was actively campaigning against him.
Tenn, in retaliation, started spreading a rumor about Ellison at a sci fi convention. The rumor eventually became a notorious urban legend in sci fi circles. Tenn teaches writing at Penn State University1. He would tell his classes a story about how Ellison tried to hit on a much taller woman at a sci fi convention. Ellison, rather forward, said to her "what would you say to a little fuck?" The statuesque woman looked down on the diminutive Ellison and responded "I'd say 'Hi, little fuck.'"
Many in the know were skeptical about the veracity of this story. Ellison is an arrogant cuss but he's known to be a perfect gentleman around his female fans. It seemed unlikely he'd be so piggish to a woman fan.
The legend itself was repeated by Isaac Asimov in his book Asimov Laughs Again . Asimov did, however, claim in the retelling that the story was most certainly not true. Asimov might have had his own reasons for poke fun at Ellison as there's another legend involving Asimov and Ellison.
It goes something like this: the first time Ellison met Asimov at a sci fi convention Ellison saw Asimov in a crowd of young female groupies. Asimov was in seventh heaven. He was known to be quite the dirty old man (although that itself might be a legend). Ellison marched up to Asimov. Ellison did not identify himself. "Are you THE Isaac Asimov?" "Yes, I am." "Hrmph. You don't look like much."
Later at the keynote Asimov was to give, someone pointed out Ellison to him. He realized that was the man who slighted him in front of his adoring female fans. Asimov introduced Ellison thusly:
"Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like you to meet a good friend of mine, Harlan Ellison. Stand up so they can see you Harlan."
Ellision proceeded to stand up.
"No, stand up, they can't see you. Oh, hmmm, perhaps you should stand on a chair or something."
posted by RolandOfEld at 8:36 AM on September 25, 2017
One of the oddest, longest running disputes in the world of sci fi has been between Harlan Ellison and sci fi author William Tenn (real name Philip Klass, who is not to be confused with UFO skeptic Philip J Klass). The origins are somewhat murky. Rumor has it back in the '60s Tenn was up for a Hugo or Nebula award and Ellison was actively campaigning against him.
Tenn, in retaliation, started spreading a rumor about Ellison at a sci fi convention. The rumor eventually became a notorious urban legend in sci fi circles. Tenn teaches writing at Penn State University1. He would tell his classes a story about how Ellison tried to hit on a much taller woman at a sci fi convention. Ellison, rather forward, said to her "what would you say to a little fuck?" The statuesque woman looked down on the diminutive Ellison and responded "I'd say 'Hi, little fuck.'"
Many in the know were skeptical about the veracity of this story. Ellison is an arrogant cuss but he's known to be a perfect gentleman around his female fans. It seemed unlikely he'd be so piggish to a woman fan.
The legend itself was repeated by Isaac Asimov in his book Asimov Laughs Again . Asimov did, however, claim in the retelling that the story was most certainly not true. Asimov might have had his own reasons for poke fun at Ellison as there's another legend involving Asimov and Ellison.
It goes something like this: the first time Ellison met Asimov at a sci fi convention Ellison saw Asimov in a crowd of young female groupies. Asimov was in seventh heaven. He was known to be quite the dirty old man (although that itself might be a legend). Ellison marched up to Asimov. Ellison did not identify himself. "Are you THE Isaac Asimov?" "Yes, I am." "Hrmph. You don't look like much."
Later at the keynote Asimov was to give, someone pointed out Ellison to him. He realized that was the man who slighted him in front of his adoring female fans. Asimov introduced Ellison thusly:
"Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like you to meet a good friend of mine, Harlan Ellison. Stand up so they can see you Harlan."
Ellision proceeded to stand up.
"No, stand up, they can't see you. Oh, hmmm, perhaps you should stand on a chair or something."
posted by RolandOfEld at 8:36 AM on September 25, 2017
Now I know about *two* assholes, I guess.
posted by Artw at 8:51 AM on September 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 8:51 AM on September 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
Ellison is an arrogant cuss but he's known to be a perfect gentleman around his female fans. It seemed unlikely he'd be so piggish to a woman fan.
Tell it to Connie Willis.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:35 AM on September 25, 2017 [4 favorites]
Tell it to Connie Willis.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:35 AM on September 25, 2017 [4 favorites]
(although that itself might be a legend)
I think we can call that one proven (definitely read the comments, e.g. Pohl's reflections). This and this are also interesting as possible connections in his work.
posted by Wobbuffet at 9:36 AM on September 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
I think we can call that one proven (definitely read the comments, e.g. Pohl's reflections). This and this are also interesting as possible connections in his work.
posted by Wobbuffet at 9:36 AM on September 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
Tell it to Connie Willis.
I'm not convinced on the fall versus lunge thing there but it's not like HE isn't pretty much a total jerkoff in every aspect of his life, so he doesn't really get benefit of the doubt.
posted by Artw at 10:31 AM on September 25, 2017
I'm not convinced on the fall versus lunge thing there but it's not like HE isn't pretty much a total jerkoff in every aspect of his life, so he doesn't really get benefit of the doubt.
posted by Artw at 10:31 AM on September 25, 2017
> Tell it to Connie Willis.
I'm not convinced on the fall versus lunge thing there but it's not like HE isn't pretty much a total jerkoff in every aspect of his life, so he doesn't really get benefit of the doubt.
Connie Willis is a woman. Are you thinking of someone else?
posted by languagehat at 2:52 PM on September 25, 2017
I'm not convinced on the fall versus lunge thing there but it's not like HE isn't pretty much a total jerkoff in every aspect of his life, so he doesn't really get benefit of the doubt.
Connie Willis is a woman. Are you thinking of someone else?
posted by languagehat at 2:52 PM on September 25, 2017
HE = Harlan Ellison
It was Willis Ellison did the boob grab lunge thing to.
posted by Artw at 2:55 PM on September 25, 2017
It was Willis Ellison did the boob grab lunge thing to.
posted by Artw at 2:55 PM on September 25, 2017
Oh! Sorry for misunderstanding.
posted by languagehat at 5:53 PM on September 25, 2017
posted by languagehat at 5:53 PM on September 25, 2017
Late comment from Jo Walton on the nominee list.
posted by Chrysostom at 2:04 PM on October 12, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 2:04 PM on October 12, 2017 [3 favorites]
And I join her in asking: who the hell was Henry Still?
posted by languagehat at 3:08 PM on October 12, 2017
posted by languagehat at 3:08 PM on October 12, 2017
Well, here's what ISFDB has for him:
While My Love Waits (1955) [Fantastic]
Gold Is Anywhere (1955) [Fantastic]
Slow Burn (1955) [If]
Are You Hungry? (1955) [Amazing]
Waste Not (1956) [Amazing]
Sales Resistance (1956) [If]
The Long Forgotten (1956) [Fantastic]
Christopher Hart's Borkle (1956) [Imaginative Tales]
Operation Scrumblies (1958) [Fantastic]
Catalyst (1961) [Fantastic]
I don't recognize any of the titles. He seems to have started off quite well, and then quickly petered out. I wonder if he died young?
posted by Chrysostom at 8:41 PM on October 12, 2017 [1 favorite]
While My Love Waits (1955) [Fantastic]
Gold Is Anywhere (1955) [Fantastic]
Slow Burn (1955) [If]
Are You Hungry? (1955) [Amazing]
Waste Not (1956) [Amazing]
Sales Resistance (1956) [If]
The Long Forgotten (1956) [Fantastic]
Christopher Hart's Borkle (1956) [Imaginative Tales]
Operation Scrumblies (1958) [Fantastic]
Catalyst (1961) [Fantastic]
I don't recognize any of the titles. He seems to have started off quite well, and then quickly petered out. I wonder if he died young?
posted by Chrysostom at 8:41 PM on October 12, 2017 [1 favorite]
He seems to have continued to write into the 70s. Google Books turns up a biography of aviation pioneer Glenn L. Martin, a book length interview with Betty Grissom, the widow of astronaut Gus Grissom, four enviromental tracts and a book called Surviving the Male Mid-Life Crisis, which seems, ironically enough, to be his final book. Amazon finds a couple more, including the delightfully named Man-made Men; or Was That Your Liver I Saw on TV?. I also found a track entitled Henry Still which is, as far as I can tell, an interview by Joe Pyne with a man named Henry Still, talking about overpopulation, which seems like our guy.
posted by Kattullus at 6:08 AM on October 13, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Kattullus at 6:08 AM on October 13, 2017 [2 favorites]
Huh, interesting that he apparently wrote steadily for a while but didn't apparently interact at all with the sf community. It was pretty small and tight in the 1950s.
posted by tavella at 11:01 AM on October 13, 2017
posted by tavella at 11:01 AM on October 13, 2017
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posted by Tell Me No Lies at 6:46 PM on September 23, 2017 [4 favorites]