Out of All Them Bright Stars

by Nancy Kress

A polite alien visits a small-town diner. Nebula Award- Winner

Genres: Short Stories, Science Fiction, Fiction

11 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 1985

About the author

Nancy Kress is the author of thirty novels, four story collections, three books on writing fiction, and over a hundred short stories. Her work has won six Nebulas, two Hugos, a Sturgeon, and the John W. Campbell Memorial Award. Her most recent novel, Observer, co-written with Dr. Robert Lanza, concerns the nature of consciousness, reality, and love. Forthcoming in 2026 is an historical fantasy, The Queen’s Witch, set in the court of Henry VIII. Nancy’s work has been translated into two dozen languages, none of which she can read. She has taught writing at various venues in the United States and abroad, including Leipzig, Beijing, both Clarions, and the annual SF-writing intensive workshop Taos Toolbox. Nancy lives in Seattle with her husband, writer Jack Skillingstead, and Pippin, the world’s cutest Chihuahua.

Reviews

[Glen Engel-Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

You’d be surprised how often out of the way diners are a setting for science fiction stories. In this diner, one of the newly arrived aliens shows up and upends the delicate balance holding the place together—not immediately, but what happens affects the protagonist, Sally, and her relationship with her boss, Charlie, and her co-worker, Kathy. Tomorrow might be the same, and even next week, but what “John” does makes Sally consider why, in all the joints in all the towns in all the world in all the universe, they are here. And that’s no easy question to answer. For a slice of life, and for that intimation of something to follow, I like the story, but it leaves me wanting more.

[Anya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can see this exact scene playing out the same way over various decades, but these days it would likely end with the alien being shot...
The final few sentences make this story so sad, despite Sally's initial politeness to the alien, when faced with something extraordinary she ends up thinking like those around her. Annoyed at the disruption to her life, adopting their prejudiced attitudes about the aliens, taking offense at the way the while situation implies her life is small.

[Carolyn F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as part of Women of Futures Past.

Even with aliens coming to earth, a waitress still has to go to work day-in and day-out. 3-1/2 stars

[Anthony Salazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kress' short story was fantastic! Definitely an important read during Trump's America.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of Nancy Kress’ best stories in my view but it did win a Nebula Award so what do I know. To be fair, I do not think she is capable of writing a bad short story!

[Naba Khan]

i think everything just makes me cry lately. man, he just wanted a green salad with no dressing.

[Roman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read a story so short yet leaving me feeling an intense empathy and attachment towards “John” the alien. Bro just wanted his salad :(

[Parker Bracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting parallels with the relationship in this story

[Janis Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite stories of all time. Gosh, she's a beautiful thinker!

[Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good short story about aliens and a diner.

[Cornelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked the writing style. Charlie was an interesting character, indeed.

[Vanessa Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish this would've been a bit longer. It was a short-short story. The ending really opens your thoughts and makes you think.