Robots Have No Tails

These are pretty typical pulp stories of the 1940s; they're cheesy and breezy. However, I have a fondness for authors of that era in general and the Kuttner/Moore marriage in specific, so it was fun to read these...even though Moore didn't participate in writing this particular set about Galloway Gallegher, the scientist who is a genius only when drunk.

I read the first three of the five stories, and may finish this at some point (which is why I didn't say DNF). Right now, I have to say, yes, my friend is right, this seems like a precursor to Rick & Morty, the animated series. It is dated, but not unreasonable, and goofy but just clever enough. I wouldn't be surprised to learn alcohol was involved. :)

#1 "Time Locker" got a 'well yes of course' snort, at the appropriate moment, so that's a success.
#2 "The World is Mine" is silly and predictable, with bits of clever.
#3 "The Proud Robot" (my friend's favorite) I found it fairly cleverly plotted, but I got bored and had to push to the end, so of these three, I enjoyed the first one best.

Haven't read:
#4 "Ex Machina"
#5 "Ex Machina" (same show more friend said this one was meh) show less

Not sure how this got on my list. First story mildly amusing, but wacky for no good reason, and I just cannot abide satire about a lush/ addict/ lost soul (whether Gallegher or anyone else; I don't read those books).

All stories revolve around one character – Galloway Gallegher. This man is an inventor. A very good inventor. A genius, in fact. Well… his subconscious is. But only when Gallegher is drunk. Very drunk. So drunk in fact, that Gallegher can never remember exactly what his subconscious (Gallegher Plus) invented, or why.

Complete review at: The Great Gnome Press Science Fiction Odyssey, and a close-up examination of the book itself.

Get drunk, invent junk
take someone's money, forget
an infinite loop.

12 gebeitelde verhalen van

Henry Kuttner

een meester van de SF

In twintig jaar schreef Henry Kuttner, meestal samen met C.L. Moore, een reeks verhalen die tot de duurzaamste van de SF bleken te behoren. Vaak onder pseudoniem werkend, schreven zij subtiele kleine meesterwerken van inventiviteit en humor die zelden geëvenaard zijn en zelfs door de meest verwende kenners van de science fiction hoog gewaardeerd worden.

In dit eerste overzicht zijn twaalf zeer verschillende verhalen bijeengebracht uit het complete werk van deze onvolprezen en succesvolle schrijvers, waaronder twee van Kuttners vermaarde wilde robotverhalen.

Nu voor het eerst uitgebreid in het Nederlands te genieten.