This solid short story collection really relies on the title story. However, this story alone is worth buying the whole collection for. Bears Discover Fire is probably the best SF short story I've ever read by far. ( )

I bought this book based solely on the title. "Bears Discover Fire." The implications of that are horrifying. A second sapient species on the planet? Man reigns supreme only because of his oversized brain; on a level playing field, the bears would wipe the floor with us every time.

The book is actually a collection of short stories, and unfortunately none of them, including the titular ursine escapade that was brimming with promise, are particularly good. Terry Bisson is one of those classic science fiction writers who has a brilliant imagination, and some amazing ideas, but lacks the writing ability to really bring them to their full potential (the terminal point along that spectrum being the filthy, wretched hovel of Philip Jose Farmer). Some of the stories are quite bad; most are merely not good. They're readable, certainly, but Bisson just makes so many mistakes. He drops foreshadowing too early, leaves blatant hints that the reader could easily guess for themselves, and his stories just seem to lack some vital spark. A good effort, but give this one a miss. ( )

A split sort of collection, several strong longer stotires, especially to finish and to start, with a lot of very short average stuff in the middle, so around 3.26.

Bears Discover Fire : Bears Discover Fire [SS] - Terry Bisson
Bears Discover Fire : The Two Janets - Terry Bisson
Bears Discover Fire : They're Made Out of Meat - Terry Bisson
Bears Discover Fire : Over Flat Mountain - Terry Bisson
Bears Discover Fire : Press Ann - Terry Bisson
Bears Discover Fire : The Coon Suit - Terry Bisson
Bears Discover Fire : George - Terry Bisson
Bears Discover Fire : Next - Terry Bisson
Bears Discover Fire : Necronauts - Terry Bisson
Bears Discover Fire : Are There Any Questions? - Terry Bisson
Bears Discover Fire : Two Guys from the Future - Terry Bisson
Bears Discover Fire : The Toxic Donut - Terry Bisson
Bears Discover Fire : Canción Autentica de Old Earth - Terry Bisson
Bears Discover Fire : Partial People - Terry Bisson
Bears Discover Fire : Carl's Lawn and Garden - Terry Bisson
Bears Discover Fire : The Message - Terry Bisson
Bears Discover Fire : England Underway - Terry Bisson
Bears Discover Fire : By Permit Only - Terry Bisson
Bears Discover Fire : The Shadow Knows - Terry Bisson

Hibernatin's a big ol' waste of time.

4 out of 5

Owensboro group.

2.5 out of 5

Robot Dreams.

3.5 out of 5

Landlobster hightop.

3.5 out of 5

Machine advice unwelcome

3.5 out of 5

Hunt me, oops.

3 out of 5

Fly kids.

3 out of 5

Marriage race rules.

3 out of 5

Psychic painter death art love.

4 out of 5

New York garbage.

2.5 out of 5

Art nicker from next era is pleased with removal of knickers, so is ex-wearer of same.

4 out of 5

Sole representative, human.

3 out of 5

Last, yep.

3 out of 5

Missing bits, don't be alarmed.

3 out of 5

Time for the Thumper.

3 out of 5

Dolphin talk.

3 out of 5

Tectonic holiday.

3 out of 5

Atmosphere costs.

3 out of 5

"As you probably know, the Shadow won't talk with me." "The Shadow?" "That's what I call it. From your old American radio serial. 'Who Knows what Evil lurks in the Hearts of Men? The Shadow knows!' "

The lunar alien communicator one certainly does, anyway, smelly bums and all.

4.5 out of 5

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2008/12... ( )