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And nowhere is Bester funnier, speedier, or more audacious than in these seventeen short stories—two of them previously unpublished—that have now been brought together in a single volume for the first time.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 |
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Page 189
... You pooped out . Keeled over . You're not so cool . " " How much do you know ? " “ Everything . I was on the other side of that mirror thing . Mr. Sawyer had to let you go . Mr. Lundgren helped lug you up to the apartment . He thinks you're ...
... You pooped out . Keeled over . You're not so cool . " " How much do you know ? " “ Everything . I was on the other side of that mirror thing . Mr. Sawyer had to let you go . Mr. Lundgren helped lug you up to the apartment . He thinks you're ...
Page 209
... you're not serious ? " She climbed out of the pond , looking alarmed . “ You really don't know how to drive yet . " " No ? Didn't I drive you home falling - down drunk last night ? " " You'll get into awful trouble . " " Nothing I can't ...
... you're not serious ? " She climbed out of the pond , looking alarmed . “ You really don't know how to drive yet . " " No ? Didn't I drive you home falling - down drunk last night ? " " You'll get into awful trouble . " " Nothing I can't ...
Page 353
... you wouldn't . You never heard them laugh . I did . " " So help me , Chuck , " Gardner began in exasperation . " Who was it said once ... Man is a laughing animal . Something like that . You're not a laughing animal , are you , Gardner ?
... you wouldn't . You never heard them laugh . I did . " " So help me , Chuck , " Gardner began in exasperation . " Who was it said once ... Man is a laughing animal . Something like that . You're not a laughing animal , are you , Gardner ?
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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