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And nowhere is Bester funnier, speedier, or more audacious than in these seventeen short stories—two of them previously unpublished—that have now been brought together in a single volume for the first time.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 104
... that's impossible , " Vandaleur exclaimed . " It was cool on Lyra Alpha . " " We have no record of any crime committed on Lyra Alpha . There is no paper . " " No. That's right , I— " Vandaleur was confused . Suddenly he ex- claimed ...
... that's impossible , " Vandaleur exclaimed . " It was cool on Lyra Alpha . " " We have no record of any crime committed on Lyra Alpha . There is no paper . " " No. That's right , I— " Vandaleur was confused . Suddenly he ex- claimed ...
Page 120
... That thing ... " Addyer pointed to the radio . " A time machine ? " " That's the idea . Roughly . " " But it's too small . " The grey - haired man laughed . " What is this place anyway ? What are you up to ? " " It's a funny thing ...
... That thing ... " Addyer pointed to the radio . " A time machine ? " " That's the idea . Roughly . " " But it's too small . " The grey - haired man laughed . " What is this place anyway ? What are you up to ? " " It's a funny thing ...
Page 125
... that's not a fair comparison . This is the worst age in all his- tory . " Jelling waved his hand . " That's how it looks to you . Everybody says that in every generation ; but take my word for it , no matter when you live and how you ...
... that's not a fair comparison . This is the worst age in all his- tory . " Jelling waved his hand . " That's how it looks to you . Everybody says that in every generation ; but take my word for it , no matter when you live and how you ...
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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Addyer Alceste Alfred Bester android answered Aquila arms Arno asked Bauer BBDO began Bellanby Bester Boyne Bruxton Buchanan CALIFORNIA/SANTA CRUZ called Carpenter Charles Claudia Clifton Webb Corque Coven cried CRUZ The University damn Dimmock dollars Dominie door dreams experts eyes face Finney County Fisher Frankie frogman Galatea Gardner Gaul girl Granville Grssh Hallmyer Halsyon hand Hassel head hell Herod hundred Jinny Krane Kruger laughed Linda listen living looked LOUIS JOURDAN Macy Manwright Mayo Migg minute Miss Clinton Miss Garbo muttered never night nodded Professor Muni science fiction shot shouted Sima Simmons smiled stared Stars My Destination stopped Strapp street Stuart Buchanan talk tell There's thing told took trying turned University Library UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA/SANTA Valera Vandaleur Violet voice waited Warbeck Ward What's