The Beast that Shouted Love at the Heart of the World

I usually enjoy Ellison's writing and there are times when his cynical, dyspeptic, and sometimes-dystopic stories are just the right thing. This anthology, however, contains some of his lesser pieces, and boy-o-boy are they dated. "A Boy and His Dog" was the only story I'd read before and it stands as the strongest piece here; the title story read very much like a Zelazny piece, reminding me of "Creatures of Light and Darkness" in its experimental presentation and playing with archetypes. A couple of the stories are pleasant little mind-snacks: "S.R.O." is actually funny, "Are You Listening?" grimly covers similar existential ground as a recent anime series* that I enjoy, and "Worlds to Kill" would make a decent Netflix space-war movie; show more the rest of the stories are either utterly forgettable or just _bad_ (i.e., "Run For the Stars"). For good Ellison from this period, stick to "Paingod and Other Delusions" or "I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream."

* -- Despite its ridiculous title, "Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai" (2018; 13 episodes) is a very mature and touching story about adolescent alienation, existentialism, and vanishing. I would not be surprised if the author were to cite Ellison as an influence. show less

The Basics

A collection of speculative fiction by the one-and-only Harlan Ellison. Many of the stories here, including the title tale, were award winners. Should make for a strong outing. Does it?

My Thoughts

This was a somewhat strong collection. The title story sets the pace with some very strange, almost impenetrable imagery and Ellison spinning some of his best poetry among prose. “Shattered Like a Glass Goblin” has a good bit of that, too, so if you love the title story (it’s so much easier to say that than to type it over and over, much as it’s a unique title that I love), you’ll love that one, too.

Among my favorites here are “Along the Scenic Route”, which I’ve seen a lot of people mention. It was quirky, funny, show more exciting, and saying all that, it has the recipe to be a great movie if someone were so inclined. “The Pitll Pawob Division” was short and very amusing, made all the more punchy for its quickness. “S.R.O.” has a wonderful twist that’s parts both funny and chilling. And I have to mention “Run for the Stars” as a wonderfully paced action/science-fiction story that forces you on with white knuckles.

But there’s a downside. I hate that there is, because so many of these stories are so strong. “Santa Claus vs. S.P.I.D.E.R.” is not only made up of cheesy humor that relies on mocking the spy genre as it was at the time and seems very outdated now, it’s final punchline is a rape joke. The story wasn’t very compelling up to that point, and upon reaching said point I was actively pissed.

Possibly the most controversial thing I’ll say in this review is that “A Boy and His Dog” is the most misogynistic, ugly waste of paper I’ve ever read. The girl’s personality changed to suit whatever mood Ellison wanted her to be in, going from being the love of Vic’s life to expendable because she was shrill at the drop of a hat. And should I even get into the way sex is handled in this story? I understand that a culture with a lowered population of women is going to be skewed about sex, but things get even more problematic than that.

So it lost a star. My rule is when a book is a collection, I rate it based on a ratio. Good stories to bad. So obviously, the good far outweighs the bad. It’s worth your time save two stories. And those stories? I’d skip them.

Final Rating

4/5 show less

A collection of typically hard-hitting sci-fi stories by the unique Mr. Ellison that mark the reader like a paper cut to the eyeball. The best of the bunch is "A Boy and His Dog", with quite a nifty ending.

Brilliant is a word used too often, but it can't ever be used too often with Harlan Ellison. His stories bring up strong emotions- love 'em or hate 'em- with a skill and craftsmanship that is unique and incomparable. He is an artist of the highest order. Glass Goblin and Dull Knife are 2 of my favorites here, Santa makes me laugh.

Science Fiction, and it includes one of his best known stories, “A Boy and His Dog.” I always meant to see that movie but never did. This collection is extremely good, I’m a fan of Harlan Ellison, no doubt. Nice one.

Grea writing and some really interesting ideas. Recommended.

One of Ellison's best collections, with one of my favorite fantasy stories ever, "Shattered Like a Glass Goblin."