Customer Reviews

The Man Who Lost the Sea: Volume X: The Complete Stories of Theodore Sturgeon

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This latest volume is again an excellent addition to the series. I just wish we would be able to find out what's going on with the rest of the books: this was originally supposed to be a ten volume collection but since this latest volume only goes through 1960, there is clearly more material to be collected. Some of the volumes are of shorter length then others, which also puzzles me. Material isn't being left out to keep down the page count?

In any case, stories like "The Graveyard Reader" show the sensitivity and skill that only a master like Sturgeon can convey in a short story. If you're already a fan, you know this; if not, buy the book. Sturgeon truly was one of the finest American short story writers ever.

Many years ago I read the story "Killdozer" in an anthology book of some sort, and never forgot the story. I didn't know anything about the author, and had no idea that he wrote many more stories beyond the one I had had the opportunity to read. Then I stumbled across this series of books in Amazon, bought one, read it, loved it, and now have all ten volumes in my collection.

So here's my verdict: Theodore Sturgeon was not just one of the best writers of Science Fiction; he wasn't just one of the best writers of short stories. He was, one of the best writers ever, period. While the stories are cloaked in the veneer of science fiction, they are in fact, stories of deep insight into the human condition. You cannot read these volumes and not be touched, moved, and inspired. Don't miss the opportunity to read some of these wonderful stories. And if you're truly inspired, get the short novel More Than Human.

It's Sept 2006, and I just spotted the following listed on the Locus site, scheduled for June 2007 release. I suppose this is good news, though it means I'm going to have to buy another bookcase.

Sturgeon, Theodore * When You Care, When You Love: The Complete Stories of Theodore Sturgeon, Volume XI * (North Atlantic, cln, hc)