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The Light at the End of the Universe
Contents:
The Dance of the Changer and the Three (1968)
The Winds at Starmont (1973)
Ozymandias (1972)
Rejoice, Rejoice, We Have No Choice (1974)
Hop-Friend (1962)
Touchstone (1964)
Brown Robert (1962)
Changing of the Gods (1973)
Stanley Toothbrush (1962)
The Colors of Fear (1974)
Sleeping Beauty (1967)
In His Image (1973)
The Old Man of the Mountains (1963)
The Robots Are Here (1967)
They Live on Levels (1973)
The Dance of the Changer and the Three (1968)
The Winds at Starmont (1973)
Ozymandias (1972)
Rejoice, Rejoice, We Have No Choice (1974)
Hop-Friend (1962)
Touchstone (1964)
Brown Robert (1962)
Changing of the Gods (1973)
Stanley Toothbrush (1962)
The Colors of Fear (1974)
Sleeping Beauty (1967)
In His Image (1973)
The Old Man of the Mountains (1963)
The Robots Are Here (1967)
They Live on Levels (1973)
- GenresScience Fiction
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1976
3 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Terry Carr
203 books31 followersCarr was born in Grants Pass, Oregon. He attended the City College of San Francisco and the University of California, Berkeley from 1954 to 1959.
Carr discovered science fiction fandom in 1949, where he became an enthusiastic publisher of fanzines, which later helped open his way into the commercial publishing world. (He was one of the two fans responsible for the hoax fan 'Carl Brandon' after whom the Carl Brandon Society takes its name.) Despite a long career as a science fiction professional, he continued to participate as a fan until his death. He was nominated five times for Hugos for Best Fanzine (1959–1961, 1967–1968), winning in 1959, was nominated three times for Best Fan Writer (1971–1973), winning in 1973, and was Fan Guest of Honor at ConFederation in 1986.
Though he published some fiction in the early 1960s, Carr concentrated on editing. He first worked at Ace Books, establishing the Ace Science Fiction Specials series which published, among other novels, The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin and Rite of Passage by Alexei Panshin.
After conflicts with Ace head Donald A. Wollheim, he worked as a freelancer. He edited an original story anthology series called Universe, and a popular series of The Best Science Fiction of the Year anthologies that ran from 1972 until his death in 1987. He also edited numerous one-off anthologies over the same time span. He was nominated for the Hugo for Best Editor thirteen times (1973–1975, 1977–1979, 1981–1987), winning twice (1985 and 1987). His win in 1985 was the first time a freelance editor had won.
Carr taught at the Clarion Workshop at Michigan State University in 1978, where his students included Richard Kadrey and Pat Murphy.
Carr discovered science fiction fandom in 1949, where he became an enthusiastic publisher of fanzines, which later helped open his way into the commercial publishing world. (He was one of the two fans responsible for the hoax fan 'Carl Brandon' after whom the Carl Brandon Society takes its name.) Despite a long career as a science fiction professional, he continued to participate as a fan until his death. He was nominated five times for Hugos for Best Fanzine (1959–1961, 1967–1968), winning in 1959, was nominated three times for Best Fan Writer (1971–1973), winning in 1973, and was Fan Guest of Honor at ConFederation in 1986.
Though he published some fiction in the early 1960s, Carr concentrated on editing. He first worked at Ace Books, establishing the Ace Science Fiction Specials series which published, among other novels, The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin and Rite of Passage by Alexei Panshin.
After conflicts with Ace head Donald A. Wollheim, he worked as a freelancer. He edited an original story anthology series called Universe, and a popular series of The Best Science Fiction of the Year anthologies that ran from 1972 until his death in 1987. He also edited numerous one-off anthologies over the same time span. He was nominated for the Hugo for Best Editor thirteen times (1973–1975, 1977–1979, 1981–1987), winning twice (1985 and 1987). His win in 1985 was the first time a freelance editor had won.
Carr taught at the Clarion Workshop at Michigan State University in 1978, where his students included Richard Kadrey and Pat Murphy.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 15, 2020
Terry Carr was a very well known and prolific editor, but he also wrote some short fiction, the best of which is included in this volume that was edited by Harlan Ellison. The stories are pretty well written and each takes an interesting and offbeat approach to common fantasy or sf ideas. The book has a nice introduction by Ellison, and each story has an interesting and chatty introduction by Carr. It's a memorable collection.
October 16, 2022
Disclaimer: I knew Terry Carr, briefly, towards the end of his too-short life (he died shortly after his 51st birthday in 1987). My Beloved Spousal Overunit knew him better, and he got along with her very well because she had no idea, really, who he was beyond his name.
Who was he?
He won four Hugo awards: one for Best Fanzine; one for Best Fan Writer; and two for Best Editor.
As an editor, Terry was the mastermind behind the "Ace Science Fiction Specials," which brought us important novels by R.A. Lafferty (_Past Master_, _Fourth Mansions), Joanna Russ (_Picnic on Paradise_), John Brunner (_The Jagged Orbit_), Ursula K. Le Guin (_The Left Hand of Darkness_), Alexei Panshin (_Rite of Passage_), Kim Stanley Robinson (_The WIld Shore_), William Gibson (_Neuromancer_), and many others. He also edited quite possibly the best "Best SF of the Year" series ever; the only competitors would be Judith Merril's quirky anthos and Gardner Dozois's doorstops.
And this is the only collection of short fiction published in his lifetime. There is not a story in here that I disliked, and few that I wouldn't recommend to a friend.
The book starts off with a bang, "The Dance of the Changer and the Three," which, as I have stated elsewhere, is probably the best weird-alien short story _evah_.
Other highlights include:
- Another weird-aliens story, "Hop-Friend," which is, among other things, a lovely tribute to Stanley G. Weinbaum's "A Martian Odyssey." (Friends, _this_ is how you do a _hommage_. Create something completely original that has some of the flavor of the original.)
- A story ("Brown Robert") that points out a fairly obvious flaw in damn near every time-travel story ever published.
- A goofball comedy about a man with a really odd psionic power ("Stanley Toothbrush")
- At least two tearjerkers ("Changing of the Gods" and "They Live on Levels"
- Two stories about robots: "In His Image," which is really about pollution but told from the point of view of a rather vain robot; and "The Robots Are Here," which is kind of like Jack Williamsons' tales of overprotective robots, only they're bloody incompetent.
...and quite a few others.
Good luck finding a copy; I had to go to ABEBooks to get one -- partly because I've decided to complete my collection of the "Harlan Ellison Discovery Series," of which this is #3 of 4, but mostly because I've wanted a copy ever since David Bratman read "Stanley Toothbrush" to us at a Mythopoeic Society reading-and-eating-meeting.
Good stuff.
Who was he?
He won four Hugo awards: one for Best Fanzine; one for Best Fan Writer; and two for Best Editor.
As an editor, Terry was the mastermind behind the "Ace Science Fiction Specials," which brought us important novels by R.A. Lafferty (_Past Master_, _Fourth Mansions), Joanna Russ (_Picnic on Paradise_), John Brunner (_The Jagged Orbit_), Ursula K. Le Guin (_The Left Hand of Darkness_), Alexei Panshin (_Rite of Passage_), Kim Stanley Robinson (_The WIld Shore_), William Gibson (_Neuromancer_), and many others. He also edited quite possibly the best "Best SF of the Year" series ever; the only competitors would be Judith Merril's quirky anthos and Gardner Dozois's doorstops.
And this is the only collection of short fiction published in his lifetime. There is not a story in here that I disliked, and few that I wouldn't recommend to a friend.
The book starts off with a bang, "The Dance of the Changer and the Three," which, as I have stated elsewhere, is probably the best weird-alien short story _evah_.
Other highlights include:
- Another weird-aliens story, "Hop-Friend," which is, among other things, a lovely tribute to Stanley G. Weinbaum's "A Martian Odyssey." (Friends, _this_ is how you do a _hommage_. Create something completely original that has some of the flavor of the original.)
- A story ("Brown Robert") that points out a fairly obvious flaw in damn near every time-travel story ever published.
- A goofball comedy about a man with a really odd psionic power ("Stanley Toothbrush")
- At least two tearjerkers ("Changing of the Gods" and "They Live on Levels"
- Two stories about robots: "In His Image," which is really about pollution but told from the point of view of a rather vain robot; and "The Robots Are Here," which is kind of like Jack Williamsons' tales of overprotective robots, only they're bloody incompetent.
...and quite a few others.
Good luck finding a copy; I had to go to ABEBooks to get one -- partly because I've decided to complete my collection of the "Harlan Ellison Discovery Series," of which this is #3 of 4, but mostly because I've wanted a copy ever since David Bratman read "Stanley Toothbrush" to us at a Mythopoeic Society reading-and-eating-meeting.
Good stuff.
June 25, 2021
Terry Carr is a true hero. I did not read this book, but I can tell that it will be good. The cover art leaves an aura of fear, power, mystery and staplers. I loved him as a brother, in the state of alabama. He was, to me and to all, a friend, a father, and a legend. I proposed to him just yesterday, and he smiled with a warmth i had not felt in years, not since the nuclear winter. His warm embrace lulled me to sleep on those restless nights. He is my hero, my husband, and forever and always, my author. He is the last thought i have, as i fall asleep. Mentally dating is beautiful, as is my husband. I love him with all that I am. He makes me scream without the s, and makes me want to spend every waking moment in his tight hugs. He is my hero, my father, and my lover. To you, he is a hero. To me, he is a god. Terry Carr makes me smile, and my cold dead heart may beat once again every time he lays eyes on me. In short, he is papa.
June 25, 2021
I believed in Terry Carr. I gave these 5 stars from the heart. And I found them in space, because Terry Carrs front cover of this novel and his emotive language throughout it inspired me to complete my lifelong dream of becoming an astronaut. Terry Carr always loved me. We were mentally dating for 16 years, and he is the only one who supported me through my parents death. I will always respect this man, and I vow to visit his gravestone at least once every week. Terry Carr.
March 18, 2015
A strong science fiction & fantasy short-story collection by a man who was mainly known for his work as an editor/anthologizer. This book effectively serves as a "best of" collection, and is recommended as a good sampling of where SF was at during the 60's and early 70's: Better writing, stronger characterizations, and -- all too-often -- a pessimistic view of what supposedly 'intelligent species' will do with the grand opportunities for transcendence available to them.
August 9, 2020
I have been on a bit of a short story binge and this is my latest completed collection. I really enjoyed Terry Carr's writing and apparently from all the little blurbs and Harlan Ellison's intro, he was more of a compiler than writer. That's unfortunate because there was some really good stuff in here and not too many stinkers.
The two stories that stood out to me the most were:
The Winds at Starmont (4.5*) - This was a beautiful story that really filled my imagination with adventure and excitement. I can't really put into words what drew me to this story so much, but the alien creatures felt alien to me and I liked that a lot. Communing with nature is an interesting topic to me so that is also why I probably enjoyed the story.
Ozymandias (5*) - I absolutely love the descriptions of the dancing rituals that they would perform going up the hill towards the vaults. The characters are very funny, especially with the 'language' they use. And the overall premise is a cool spin on Egyptian tomb robbers.
The story that did not resonate with me much was the retelling of the Sleeping Beauty story. I could tell that this was going to be a 'dark' version of the popular story, a la Brothers Grimm. I enjoyed the characterization of the old crone but other than that everything fell flat. I, at the very least, expected a bit more of a payoff than "she was a carnivore and ate you" especially half a page after a blatant quote was used to describe royalty as such. It was clear with the wording of the prince that he wasn't going to get what he wanted but I expected a bit more than 'he died.'
The two stories that stood out to me the most were:
The Winds at Starmont (4.5*) - This was a beautiful story that really filled my imagination with adventure and excitement. I can't really put into words what drew me to this story so much, but the alien creatures felt alien to me and I liked that a lot. Communing with nature is an interesting topic to me so that is also why I probably enjoyed the story.
Ozymandias (5*) - I absolutely love the descriptions of the dancing rituals that they would perform going up the hill towards the vaults. The characters are very funny, especially with the 'language' they use. And the overall premise is a cool spin on Egyptian tomb robbers.
The story that did not resonate with me much was the retelling of the Sleeping Beauty story. I could tell that this was going to be a 'dark' version of the popular story, a la Brothers Grimm. I enjoyed the characterization of the old crone but other than that everything fell flat. I, at the very least, expected a bit more of a payoff than "she was a carnivore and ate you" especially half a page after a blatant quote was used to describe royalty as such. It was clear with the wording of the prince that he wasn't going to get what he wanted but I expected a bit more than 'he died.'
August 14, 2011
I've read a few author compilations before and this one is pretty average. Some stories in here aren't really Sci-fi as well. What I do love about this book is before each story Terry talks a bit about how he came to write the story and it really gives a lot of insight as to what a writer goes through during his career. I also love some of his points of views on certain topics, especially when it comes to time travel. Very cool!
October 9, 2013
Note to self: This is the one with the sleeping beauty short story you always lose, then try to find, and also Brown Robert; that hugely logic friendly time travel story that is great as any child's first introduction to the concept of time travel and it's inherent dilemmas.
July 20, 2014
Vrey good stories.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews