SOLVED. SF short story: aliens arrive on earth, they are not smart, one sells Brooklyn Bridge several times, bishop outraged by alien animal sacrifice. [s]

[Robert]

Looking for a science fiction short story
in which the earth makes contact when aliens arrive. people start to realize that the aliens are not actually that smart after one guy sells the the Brooklyn Bridge several times and a Bishop is outraged when asked by ab alien as to where they can purchase an animal to sacrifice to the gods.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

When did you read it or about when was it published? Was it in an anthology?

Also you will help people looking for your short story if you add some more details to your header. If you are unable, a mod can do it for you.

[Robert]

The short was definitely in an anthology. i remember seeing it before Borders closed so 2009-2010; although its original publication could have been earlier. Wish I did have more detail...

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Robert wrote: "Wish I did have more detail..."

You have enough details to add to a header, which I did.

[Nóinín]

Definitely rings a bell with me, however, I'm not sure I actually read this story. Can I have listened to it as part of one of the Short Science Fiction Collections at LibriVox?
Trouble is, I haven't started bookshelving all my reads until just recently, so it may take a while to retrace it. Maybe in the meantime you'd also like to have a look into these anthologies yourself. A link to Etext is usually provided for each story.

[Lee]

"Backwardness" by Poul Anderson. It's in THE BEST FROM FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION 8TH SERIES and SCHOOL AND SOCIETY THROUGH SCIENCE FICTION.

[Andy]

Lee wrote: ""Backwardness" by Poul Anderson. It's in THE BEST FROM FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION 8TH SERIES and SCHOOL AND SOCIETY THROUGH SCIENCE FICTION."

That sounds like it - this description of "Backwardness" http://poulandersonappreciation.blogs... mentions both the Brooklyn Bridge and the sacrifice of cattle.

[Robert]

Ok looks good. I'll check it out ASAP.

[Julia]

It's also in Worst Contact (anthology).

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Robert, was "Backwardness" your story or are you still looking?

[Robert]

Sorry, I was away on vacation. still catching up on email.Yes, this is solved

[Kris]

Glad you found your book, Robert. Just to confirm, what's the title and author of your book?

[Robert]

Author is Poul Anderson and the short story was in "The Best from Fantasy and Science Fiction 8th Series" edited by Anthony Boucher. I am sure there are others. Thanks all!

[Kris]

Great. Thanks for the update, Robert. Here's the link - The Best from Fantasy and Science Fiction 8 by Anthony Boucher (editor).

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Fantastic.