Up from the Bottomless Pit

by Philip José Farmer

Up from the Bottomless Pit is the ultimate collection for Philip Jose Farmer fans, including 140,000 words (roughly 400 pages) of very obscure, never-before-collected short stories, a novel beginning, non-fiction, and a complete novel as well.

Philip José Farmer: maker of universes and chronicler of fantastic adventures, legendary Hugo Award winner and Nebula Grand Master… Today few realize that Farmer was writing literary fiction long before he set the science fiction world afire with his groundbreaking “The Lovers.” Up from the Bottomless Pit and Other Stories collects these little known treasures, along with other fantastical tales—all making their first appearance here in book form.

Sure to excite readers of science fiction everywhere is the inclusion of Farmer's “lost” novel of the ultimate ecological nightmare. Set in an alternate past circa the 1970s, Up from the Bottomless Pit tells of a world so ravenous in its desire for oil that it has thrown caution to the wind. Using an experimental laser drill, humankind burns a hole through the ocean floor only to unleash a deadly torrent that threatens to wipe out all life on the planet.

With its first-time collection of a lost novel, ultra-rare works, tales of science fiction and fantasy, Up from the Bottomless Pit and Other Stories presents a compelling new look at one of speculative fiction's most beloved literary giants.

Genres: Fiction

480 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Philip José Farmer was an American author, principally known for his science fiction and fantasy novels and short stories. He was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, but spent much of his life in Peoria, Illinois.

Farmer is best known for his Riverworld series and the earlier World of Tiers series. He is noted for his use of sexual and religious themes in his work, his fascination for and reworking of the lore of legendary pulp heroes, and occasional tongue-in-cheek pseudonymous works written as if by fictional characters.

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book a long time coming as I have had an eye on this edition for some time. Well to cut a long story short this book is a re-issue of a story originally written in the 70s. Now if you are familiar with Philip Jose Farmers work you will know he often re-worked stories, sadly many times destroying or losing the original in the process (where is the original story that "To your scattered bodies go" came from?) so when a new edition appears I am both curious and apprehensive.

However this was a surprising good read - incredibly relevant to todays world - possibly even more so than when originally conceived (although that was during the oil crisis of the 70s). Yes the language is dated as are some of the attitudes however once you see past them you see there are more similarities than I think we are comfortable with.

So a great read made even all the more poignant by the fact that it appears we have not changed as much as we would like to - we just give things different names

[Bill Ramsell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to categorize this one. PJF was a master of science fiction and fantasy, but these are stories of adventure, politics, and mystery.

Definitely worthwile reading for any fan of the late Philip Jose Farmer.