Introduce your friends to Delany with this volume. Showcasing some of his best short stories, "Driftglass" will show what high concept science fiction can do. When they're through, move them on to his full-length novels. They'll thank you for introducing them gently, and then they'll thank you again for bringing Delany's work to their attention. ( )

I’d forgotten how great this collection is.

I’m guessing I read this first while in high school, and I recall revisiting it a number of times. But, eventually, it fell somewhere in the library and I got involved in reading other things. Then, recently, something reminded me of “Time Considered as a Helix of Semi-Precious Stones” and I picked up this volume to re-read it. Interestingly, as I read “Time…” I realized that wasn’t the story I was remembering; I was recalling “Aye, and Gomorrah”. Which I then re-read. But then, I remembered “Driftglass” and had to read that. And by then, I was re-reading the entire collection because, as I said, I’d forgotten just how good this collection is.

If you haven’t read Delany’s short fiction, this is the place to start. And if you have, then this collection is still a wonderful synopsis of some of his finest early writing. “Time…” and “Aye, and Gomorrah” are both Nebula award winners, and “Time…” is a Hugo winner. And, I’m not sure how some of the others didn’t win also. All these stories combine to present an interesting picture of alienation and fear/handling of change. That is not to say they are connected stories (in fact, there is little linking them except some themes and the author) but, as a whole they explore similar subjects. In particular, exploring alienness, whether it be external or internal. There are more exhaustive and later collections of Delany’s work, but this is a great short collection that has few weak spots. ( )

An interesting collection of stories from the always ambitous pen of Samuel Delany. Some of these stories read almost like sketches for Dhalgren, most obviously the Angels in "We, in Some Strange Power's Employ, Move on a Rigorous Line," and the party scene in "Time Considered as a Helix of Semi-Precious Stones." Bellona shows up as a place name in a couple of them as well. Another example which seems to point to Delany working through different variations on a concept can be seen in almost identical discussions about holographs in two of the stories included here, "High Weir" and "Time Considered as a Helix of Semi-Precious Stones." Delany's writing is at times dense, at other times almost lyrical. He frequently plumbs the most intimate thoughts of his characters. My favorites from the collection were "The Star Pit," "Dog in a Fisherman's Net," "Corona," and "We, in Some Strange Power's Employ, Move on a Rigorous Line." "Aye, and Gomorrah," one of Delany's most famous stories, has never done much for me. ( )

This wonderful anthology of short stories highlights Delany at his best. Though by turns frustratingly enigmatic, these stories are enthralling gems from a master of the craft.

Most writers best of...collection are not nearly as good as this. It was re-issued with some additional stores, get the undiluted version. ( )