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Strange Seas and Shores
This contains: Sacheverell; Take Wooden Indians; The Vat; The Tail Tied Kings; Paramount Ulj; A Bottle Full of Kismet; The Goobers; Dr Morris Goldpepper Returns; The Certificate; Ogre in the Vly; Apres Nous; Climacteric; Yo Ho and Up; The Sixty Third Street Station; The House the Blakeneys Built; The Power of Every Root; and The Sources of the Nile.
234 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1971
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About the author
Avram Davidson
430 books94 followersAvram Davidson was an American Jewish writer of fantasy fiction, science fiction, and crime fiction, as well as the author of many stories that do not fit into a genre niche. He won a Hugo Award and three World Fantasy Awards in the science fiction and fantasy genre, a World Fantasy Life Achievement award, and a Queen's Award and an Edgar Award in the mystery genre. Davidson edited The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction from 1962 to 1964. His last novel The Boss in the Wall: A Treatise on the House Devil was completed by Grania Davis and was a Nebula Award finalist in 1998. The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction says "he is perhaps sf's most explicitly literary author".
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 24, 2009
A collection of short stories in the fantasy / sci fi genre. Overall, the collection is 'average', despite the excited introduction by Ray Bradbury.
Some of the stories are most enjoyable and well written. Others are bland flash fiction, or feel like they're not finished. I found several typographical errors throughout the book, which is one of my pet peeves. It's hard to say whether it is the fault of the writer of the editor, but I cringed when "Mikicho" turned into "Michiko" and one of the other characters changed names too.
I did like a handful. 'Take Wooden Indians' was a well constructed piece on time travel and craftsmanship. Good dialogue, nice period information, smooth turn to the twist.
'Dr Morris Goldpepper Returns' was an enjoyable voyage into dentistry, aliens and worms. Though the plot was a little limp, it was polished and engaging to read.
'The Certificate' was very well done. From the beginning I felt the dark, repressed world that the worker lives in. A man stays up all night to queue for an application. He must have it granted, but also cannot be late for work. As he follows the oppressors commands and goes from floor to floor, room to room, he worries about the time but still must have it accepted! Overall the story is anxious and sad and heartwarming.
'The Sources of the Nile' was a fitting end to the anthology. Davidson probably couldn't have ended on a stronger note (except, perhaps, 'The Certificate'). It has a strong story line and good dialogue. The character is an unsuccessful novelist who can't seem to stay ahead of 'the fashion'. He meets a man who can predict trends, but has no luck convincing anyone of his gift. The character finds the source, but makes some grave errors along the way. Good characters, good plot and a character change. This one was well polished.
The rest feel unfinished, or tired. Several have good stories, with weak endings.
Overall I was left disappointed. But perhaps the stories would be better if read individually, rather than in the two days I took. Perhaps they are improved when interspersed with other writers?
>This review may be biased, as I'm currently reading/reviewing many short stories for an upcoming anthology. I've seen a wide variety of short stories lately, and have been highly critical of their merits.
Some of the stories are most enjoyable and well written. Others are bland flash fiction, or feel like they're not finished. I found several typographical errors throughout the book, which is one of my pet peeves. It's hard to say whether it is the fault of the writer of the editor, but I cringed when "Mikicho" turned into "Michiko" and one of the other characters changed names too.
I did like a handful. 'Take Wooden Indians' was a well constructed piece on time travel and craftsmanship. Good dialogue, nice period information, smooth turn to the twist.
'Dr Morris Goldpepper Returns' was an enjoyable voyage into dentistry, aliens and worms. Though the plot was a little limp, it was polished and engaging to read.
'The Certificate' was very well done. From the beginning I felt the dark, repressed world that the worker lives in. A man stays up all night to queue for an application. He must have it granted, but also cannot be late for work. As he follows the oppressors commands and goes from floor to floor, room to room, he worries about the time but still must have it accepted! Overall the story is anxious and sad and heartwarming.
'The Sources of the Nile' was a fitting end to the anthology. Davidson probably couldn't have ended on a stronger note (except, perhaps, 'The Certificate'). It has a strong story line and good dialogue. The character is an unsuccessful novelist who can't seem to stay ahead of 'the fashion'. He meets a man who can predict trends, but has no luck convincing anyone of his gift. The character finds the source, but makes some grave errors along the way. Good characters, good plot and a character change. This one was well polished.
The rest feel unfinished, or tired. Several have good stories, with weak endings.
Overall I was left disappointed. But perhaps the stories would be better if read individually, rather than in the two days I took. Perhaps they are improved when interspersed with other writers?
>This review may be biased, as I'm currently reading/reviewing many short stories for an upcoming anthology. I've seen a wide variety of short stories lately, and have been highly critical of their merits.
December 17, 2020
I had to add my edition; it's not as pretty as the 1981. And the stories aren't pretty. Some are kind of ironically or satirically or wryly funny, but mostly they're kind of dark. Fans of Theodore Sturgeon and Salvador Dali might like 'em.
I did like the introduction by Bradbury. It was a little too gushy, setting me up for something as good as Bradbury's own work, at least... and I didn't find Davidson's to be that good. Otoh, they do have enough of a vibe in common I'm not surprised that they admire one another. Now, Bradbury's stories are often gentler, or more poignant, whereas Davidson's are more cynical or sour... but there is a kinship.
Anyway, I am enjoying it well enough I'll be adding comments re' each when I'm done....
Sacheverell - clever, weird, almost horror
Take Wooden Indians - also weird and unclassifiable; I wonder if there's a metaphor I'm missing
The Vat - short short shocker
The Tail Tied Kings - ugly animal horror
Paramount Ulj - satire of diplomacy, first contact, cultural (mis)understandings....
A Bottle Full of Kismet - a very fractured 'genie in the bottle' story, not a 3 wishes tale
The Goobers - Metaphoric... a poignant & wise story told as horror
Dr Morris Goldpepper Returns - funny... & though it implies it's a 2nd story, I'm pretty sure that's a sly pretention
The Certificate - flash fiction alien invasion shocker
Ogre in the Vly - yet again, Davidson shows us he's convinced all humans are wicked at core
Apres Nous - ? olive leaf sign of peace after biblical flood means what to this flash fiction?
Climacteric - not at all sure what just happened; maybe black humor
Yo Ho and Up - homage to the teen boys who bought the pulps & basically created the field of SF?
The Sixty Third Street Station - I've no idea what the heck any of this short means to say
The House the Blakeneys Built - Ugh. Ugly
The Power of Every Root - Too long & incoherent, I think
The Sources of the Nile - Too long, too little payoff
I did like the introduction by Bradbury. It was a little too gushy, setting me up for something as good as Bradbury's own work, at least... and I didn't find Davidson's to be that good. Otoh, they do have enough of a vibe in common I'm not surprised that they admire one another. Now, Bradbury's stories are often gentler, or more poignant, whereas Davidson's are more cynical or sour... but there is a kinship.
Anyway, I am enjoying it well enough I'll be adding comments re' each when I'm done....
Sacheverell - clever, weird, almost horror
Take Wooden Indians - also weird and unclassifiable; I wonder if there's a metaphor I'm missing
The Vat - short short shocker
The Tail Tied Kings - ugly animal horror
Paramount Ulj - satire of diplomacy, first contact, cultural (mis)understandings....
A Bottle Full of Kismet - a very fractured 'genie in the bottle' story, not a 3 wishes tale
The Goobers - Metaphoric... a poignant & wise story told as horror
Dr Morris Goldpepper Returns - funny... & though it implies it's a 2nd story, I'm pretty sure that's a sly pretention
The Certificate - flash fiction alien invasion shocker
Ogre in the Vly - yet again, Davidson shows us he's convinced all humans are wicked at core
Apres Nous - ? olive leaf sign of peace after biblical flood means what to this flash fiction?
Climacteric - not at all sure what just happened; maybe black humor
Yo Ho and Up - homage to the teen boys who bought the pulps & basically created the field of SF?
The Sixty Third Street Station - I've no idea what the heck any of this short means to say
The House the Blakeneys Built - Ugh. Ugly
The Power of Every Root - Too long & incoherent, I think
The Sources of the Nile - Too long, too little payoff
June 15, 2025
I have tried to get into Davidson's short stories, but I just can't get into his writing style and I don't find them all that interested. Most other short story writers like Asimov, Clark, Brunner, Sheckley, have twists, surprises, moments of clarity, or something, but most of his don't do that. I am usually left not knowing what is going on or really caring. I have read part of his Treasury collection, which has a few decent ones in it, but this particular book doesn't have any good ones, except for "The Goobers", which is pretty fun.
January 23, 2026
Forgotten master of humor in science fiction, Davidson leads the reader along in a collection of outrageous tales told in a matter-of-fact style that makes you accept that, yes, that could really happen!
In “Paramount Ulj,” a clash of cultures embarrasses Earthers when aliens Smottleb and Cumpaw arrive at the United Nations to discuss their Paramount Ulj. The lesson is that one should never assume one knows what their alien visitor is talking about just for appearances' sake.
“The Sources of the Nile” takes a hilarious look at the effect of the changing whims of editors on beleaguered writers. (If only you could find someone who could successfully predict future trends…)
In “Sacheverell”, a kidnapped circus act awaits rescue by the sideshow performers. The odd and funny story depends on the punch line at the end, but it’s still cute.
“The Sixty-Third Street Station” may or may not exist along the subway line. Similar setup to The Twilight Zone episode “A Stop at Willoughby,” but with quite different results. The presentation is so subtle I had to read the story twice to get it – but it was worth it.
Except for this review, don’t read any reviews of this book before reading the book itself– a maxim I always employ (for films and TV shows, too). This book is over 50 years old, and the stories are even older. As with suspending disbelief when reading science fiction, it is also more enjoyable to suspend contemporary culture and engage with the story in its own milieu.
In “Paramount Ulj,” a clash of cultures embarrasses Earthers when aliens Smottleb and Cumpaw arrive at the United Nations to discuss their Paramount Ulj. The lesson is that one should never assume one knows what their alien visitor is talking about just for appearances' sake.
“The Sources of the Nile” takes a hilarious look at the effect of the changing whims of editors on beleaguered writers. (If only you could find someone who could successfully predict future trends…)
In “Sacheverell”, a kidnapped circus act awaits rescue by the sideshow performers. The odd and funny story depends on the punch line at the end, but it’s still cute.
“The Sixty-Third Street Station” may or may not exist along the subway line. Similar setup to The Twilight Zone episode “A Stop at Willoughby,” but with quite different results. The presentation is so subtle I had to read the story twice to get it – but it was worth it.
Except for this review, don’t read any reviews of this book before reading the book itself– a maxim I always employ (for films and TV shows, too). This book is over 50 years old, and the stories are even older. As with suspending disbelief when reading science fiction, it is also more enjoyable to suspend contemporary culture and engage with the story in its own milieu.
January 29, 2014
A solid writer that no one knows about today.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews