Virtual Unrealities: The Short Fiction of Alfred Bester"Dazzlement and enchantment are Bester's methods. His stories never stand still a moment." —Damon Knight, author of Why Do Birds Alfred Bester took science fiction into hyperdrive, endowing it with a wit, speed, and narrative inventiveness that have inspired two generations of writers. And nowhere is Bester funnier, speedier, or more audacious than in these seventeen short stories—two of them previously unpublished—that have now been brought together in a single volume for the first time. Read about the sweet-natured young man whose phenomenal good luck turns out to be disastrous for the rest of humanity. Find out why tourists are flocking to a hellish little town in a post-nuclear Kansas. Meet a warlock who practices on Park Avenue and whose potions comply with the Pure Food and Drug Act. Make a deal with the Devil—but not without calling your agent. Dazzling, effervescent, sexy, and sardonic, Virtual Unrealities is a historic collection from one of science fiction's true pathbreakers. "Alfred Bester was one of the handful of writers who invented modern science fiction. " —Harry Harrison |
From inside the book
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Page 146
... Frankie ! " the shriveled man shouted . " Good old Frankie ! Don't you remember me ? ” Alceste stared . " I'm Blooper Davis . We was raised together in the old precinct . Don't you remember Blooper Davis ? " " Blooper ! " Alceste's face ...
... Frankie ! " the shriveled man shouted . " Good old Frankie ! Don't you remember me ? ” Alceste stared . " I'm Blooper Davis . We was raised together in the old precinct . Don't you remember Blooper Davis ? " " Blooper ! " Alceste's face ...
Page 153
... Frankie Alceste maintained a rigid self- control . He was not aided by the fact that he was a celebrity with a tremendous animal magnetism . While a dozen handsome women threw themselves at him , he persevered in the role of big brother ...
... Frankie Alceste maintained a rigid self- control . He was not aided by the fact that he was a celebrity with a tremendous animal magnetism . While a dozen handsome women threw themselves at him , he persevered in the role of big brother ...
Page 156
... Frankie was weak enough from assorted injuries to simulate the old man . They checked into the Ross Splendide , where Alceste barricaded Sima in a suite , had his shoulder attended to and bought a gun . Then he went looking for John ...
... Frankie was weak enough from assorted injuries to simulate the old man . They checked into the Ross Splendide , where Alceste barricaded Sima in a suite , had his shoulder attended to and bought a gun . Then he went looking for John ...
Contents
Disappearing Act | 3 |
Oddy and Id | 22 |
Star Light Star Bright | 38 |
Copyright | |
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Virtual Unrealities: The Short Fiction of Alfred Bester Alfred Bester,Roger Zelazny Limited preview - 1997 |
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