Short Stories: A Saucer of Loneliness/Killdozer/The World Well Lost/Microcosmic God/It/Baby Is Three

by Theodore Sturgeon

This is nonfiction commentary. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: A Saucer of Loneliness, Killdozer , the World Well Lost, Microcosmic God, It , Baby Is Three, if All Men Were Brothers, Would You Let One Marry Your Sister?, Helix the Cat. Source: Wikipedia. Free updates online. Not illustrated. Excerpt: Shelley Duvall: MargaretRichard Libertini: The ReceiverNan Martin: Mother "A Saucer of Loneliness" is a short story by Theodore Sturgeon which first appeared in Galaxy Magazine in February 1953. It was later adapted as a radio play for X Minus One in 1957; and as the second segment of the twenty-fifth episode (the first episode of the second season (1986-1987) of the television series The Twilight Zone. The short story is told from the POV of a man who rescues a would-be suicide at the sea shore. The unnamed woman tells her story reluctantly. She had heard and understood a message from a flying saucer. When she refused to reveal the message, she was imprisoned, rejected, and ridiculed, but she still would not say what the alien space ship had told her... In 2004, "A Saucer Of Loneliness" was nominated for a 'Retro Hugo' for Short Story 1954 (Hugo Award for Best Short Story). It was also the title of the seventh book in the anthology series "The Collected Short Stories of Theodore Sturgeon," published in 2000. The TV adaptation differs from the short story in several aspects mostly due to TV storytelling requirements. The woman's loneliness, revealed only gradually in the short story, is obvious from the beginning in the episode. The time frame is shorter. The resolution (the orb) is missing in the short story. Margaret is a lonely waitress who seems to enjoy spending time walking on the beach. When she returns home after work one night, her mother berates her for being alone at her age, that she should be marr...More: http: //booksllc.net/?id=13745029

Genres: Short Stories, Science Fiction, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published May 29, 2010

About the author

Theodore Sturgeon (1918–1985) is considered one of the godfathers of contemporary science fiction and dark fantasy. The author of numerous acclaimed short stories and novels, among them the classics More Than Human, Venus Plus X, and To Marry Medusa, Sturgeon also wrote for television and holds among his credits two episodes of the original 1960s Star Trek series, for which he created the Vulcan mating ritual and the expression "Live long and prosper." He is also credited as the inspiration for Kurt Vonnegut's recurring fictional character Kilgore Trout.

Sturgeon is the recipient of the Hugo Award, the Nebula Award, and the International Fantasy Award. In 2000, he was posthumously honored with a World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement.

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Published in 1953, "The World Well Lost" is a milestone in Sci Fi for its sensitive treatment of homosexual characters. There are two 'loverbirds' that have been captured as prisoners by Captain Rootes and Midshipman Grunty. Both Rootes and Grunty outwardly express homophobic feelings toward the lovebirds, but this short story beautifully reveals their true thoughts.

I found this listed in a table of "Gay novels prior to the Stonewall Riots" on Wiki:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...

I found a free PDF via a google-search for "The World Well Lost"
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&r...

This short story completely accomplished its goal, and 'came out' in 1953. 5*

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The original story about the scientist who creates a microscopic universe for which time moves —and subsequently evolves— far faster than in his own. Subsequently ripped off by Groening and Harman's writing teams. Knock-offs probably appear in pulp print somewhere too.

There's multiple possible end-states for this trope. Because it Sturgeon it's the most interesting and transcendent one.

[emi]

actually, i only read the short story “the world well lost”, but i needed to log it somehow and it’s nowhere on this app 😭 anyways this is extremely my shit and knowing that this man went on to write amok time makes me feel very unhinged

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll admit I only picked up one of these short stories, The World Well Lost, and only because Sturgeon also wrote the Star Trek Original Series episodes Amok Time and Shore Leave. Considering the long lasting cult following Spirk has (the fan name for the romantic relationship between Kirk and Spock) and how beloved Amok Time is among that side of the fandom I wanted to check out what is often called the first positive homosexual portrayal in science fiction.

Apart from a few moments where the language turned too poetic for me to follow and I was forced to reread the odd passage, this was an interesting story. Earth isn't a magically redeemed paradise where everyone is accepted, and neither are the magical, advanced aliens Earth envies. Both are flawed, and the people in the middle are too.

It's also a much more personal narrative than I would have expected from sci fi at the time this was published! It holds up surprisingly well as a modern read! I'd definitely recommend it if you're interested in reading older LGBTQ+ sci fi stories.

[Karen K - Ohio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Called one of the best sci-fi or speculative fiction writers and cited as an influence by many popular writers these short stories sure proved it. Can’t wait to read more of his work.

[Leylamaría]

I only read The World Well Lost! Technically a reread, cause it’s been a couple years. Man that story’s so much

[Gray O’Leary · Rating 4 out of 5]

For “The World Well Lost”

Queer milestone in science fiction. Theodore Sturgeon, you will always be famous in my heart for “Amok Time” lol 🖖🏻

[ElKazovskyfan23]

Have only read The World Well Lost—liked it.

[Ruby Tombstone Lives!]

The World Well Lost: http://freetexthost.com/fzvwibovva