Avram Davidson (1923–1993)

I had to add my edition; it's not as pretty as the 1981. And the stories aren't pretty. Some are kind of ironically or satirically or wryly funny, but mostly they're kind of dark. Fans of Theodore Sturgeon and Salvador Dali might like 'em.

I did like the introduction by Bradbury. It was a little too gushy, setting me up for something as good as Bradbury's own work, at least... and I didn't find Davidson's to be that good. Otoh, they do have enough of a vibe in common I'm not surprised that they admire one another. Now, Bradbury's stories are often gentler, or more poignant, whereas Davidson's are more cynical or sour... but there is a kinship.

Anyway, I am enjoying it well enough I'll be adding comments re' each when I'm done....

Sacheverell - clever, weird, almost horror
Take Wooden Indians - also weird and unclassifiable; I wonder if there's a metaphor I'm missing
The Vat - short short shocker
The Tail Tied Kings - ugly animal horror
Paramount Ulj - satire of diplomacy, first contact, cultural (mis)understandings....
A Bottle Full of Kismet - a very fractured 'genie in the bottle' story, not a 3 wishes tale
The Goobers - Metaphoric... a poignant & wise story told as horror
Dr Morris Goldpepper Returns - funny... & though it implies it's a 2nd story, I'm pretty sure that's a sly pretention
The Certificate - flash fiction alien invasion shocker
Ogre in the Vly - yet again, Davidson shows us he's convinced all humans are wicked at core
Apres Nous - ? olive leaf sign of peace after biblical flood means what to this flash fiction?
Climacteric - not at all sure what just happened; maybe black humor
Yo Ho and Up - homage to the teen boys who bought the pulps & basically created the field of SF?
The Sixty Third Street Station - I've no idea what the heck any of this short means to say
The House the Blakeneys Built - Ugh. Ugly
The Power of Every Root - Too long & incoherent, I think
The Sources of the Nile - Too long, too little payoff… (more)

Avram Davidson is best known as a science fiction and fantasy writer, however, he also wrote mystery stories that appeared in Ellery Queen magazine and Alfred Hitchcock magazine; some that became screenplays on Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Thirteen of his mysteries are collected here. I particularly liked The Importance of Trifles which is a police procedural set around 1830 in NYC. It has the Sherlock Holmes feel of solving the case by looking at the details. There are several tales that seem to be classic set-ups but have an unusual twist. A nice collection from someone I'd never heard of.… (more)