1 review for the best fom fantasy and science fiction, tenth series

1. 

   4 out of 5

   Tim – Feb 01, 2016

   This is one of my old, musty S-F books I’ve had for a long time (copyright 1960). I like a lot of short fiction, S-F being no exception. This is a compilation of stories from the periodical “The Magazine of Science Fiction and Fantasy.” This volume contains 17 stories, most by more well-known writers of the day such as Poul Anderson and Katherine MacLean, but also some surprises such as the very short story, “Something,” about a creepy entity in a library, of all placeas (more in the horror genr This is one of my old, musty S-F books I’ve had for a long time (copyright 1960). I like a lot of short fiction, S-F being no exception. This is a compilation of stories from the periodical “The Magazine of Science Fiction and Fantasy.” This volume contains 17 stories, most by more well-known writers of the day such as Poul Anderson and Katherine MacLean, but also some surprises such as the very short story, “Something,” about a creepy entity in a library, of all placeas (more in the horror genre than S-F), by Allen Drury, who is better known for “Advise and Consent” and “A God Against the Gods/Return to Thebes.” My favorites, in addition to “Something,” are “Double, Double, Toil and Trouble, by Holley Cantine, about a magician who both leaves and then returns to the field; “The Replacement, by Robert Murray, about a soldier sent up to the front, who is much more than he seems; and “The Fellow Who Married the Maxill Girl,” by Ward Moore, about said fellow who is a hard worker, with no discernible vices, who somehow just shows up in a backwoods farming community and with whom the daughter of a farmer becomes enamored, a bittersweet tale of rejection, love and acceptance. Each story is introduced by the editor, Robert P. Mills, who speaks more of the author than the story. Very enjoyable, recommended.