Shatterday [Paperback]

Harlan Ellison (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2007

A revolutionary classic from one of science fiction's most highly regarded authors, this collection of 16 brilliant stories remains as scathing and influential today as it was when it was first published more than 20 years ago. These category-defying stories combine science fiction, horror, and fantasy with ironic humor, sardonic social criticism, and intense self-revelation. From "Jeffty is Five," the tragedy of an innocent child wrenched out of an idyllic past, to humanity's encounter with dangerously seductive aliens in "How's the Night Life on Cissalda?" and "Shatterday," the dark allegory of an identity-stealing doppelgänger replacing his inferior twin, this incendiary collection re-establishes its legendary author's place at the cutting edge of the short story form.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The spellbinding quality of a great nonstop talker, with a cultural warehouse for a mind."  —The New York Times Book Review

"Ellison, that feisty, unreasonable, prevaricating, megalomaniacal, and revanchist monster [is] the quintessential science fiction short story writer of his time."  —Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction

"One of the greatest speculative fiction writers this country has ever produced."  —Ron Moore, executive producer, Battlestar Galactica

"Speculative fiction without Harlan Ellison would be like the Fourth of July without fireworks."  —Ursula K. Le Guin, author, The Left Hand of Darkness

"Fiction with a sharp, fantastic edge."  —People Magazine

"You have to read Shatterday, feel it, experience it. It is an event."  —Science Fiction Review

"Timeless stuff, speaking to (mostly) the dark within each of us, but also at times uplifting, light, and funny."  —SFScop.com

"Confrontational and shocking . . . you'll remember again why Harlan Ellison is considered one of America's best short story writers."  —The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction

About the Author

Harlan Ellison is one the most honored American short story writers, having received the Bram Stoker, British Science Fiction, Edgar, Hugo, International PEN, Nebula, and Writers Guild of America awards. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America bestowed the grandmaster designation on him in 2005 for his accomplishments and continued participation in the science fiction community. He is the author of numerous books, including Angry Candy, Slippage, and Troublemakers, and the editor of the highly acclaimed Dangerous Visions series. He lives in Sherman Oaks, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Tachyon Publications; 3rd edition (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1892391481
• ISBN-13: 978-1892391483
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #408,643 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Tour Of Places You Would Never Go, October 6, 2008

By 

Randy Gibson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shatterday (Paperback)

For those who know the works of Harlan Ellison, it is a familiar feeling. For those who have not experienced his writing in the concentrated, high-octane form of a short story anthology, this is one of the best. Ellison is probably the most decorated fiction writer in history and while he has done teleplay, screenplay, and novels, his true mastery is in the realm of short stories. This collection provides devastating proof of that. Like all Ellison anthologies, sitting down to read through it one sitting can be extremely unnerving. Harlan's stories are unsettling, disturbing, and leave a bad taste in your brain. But one thing is unmistakably true - his stories will affect you. His use of language is powerful and his concepts are often shocking.

Shatterday opens with another fine Ellison introduction. His introductory essays are every bit as wonderful as the stories that follow. The stories open with "Jeffty is Five", a story that draws on Ellison's nostalgia for radio serials of earlier days but takes them into a dark place. "How's The Night Life On Cissalda" might just be the most hilarious sex-themed science fiction story of all time. "Would You Do It For A Penny" isn't really even speculative fiction but it is all wry humor and naughtiness. Every story here hits hard and creates powerful effects. With Ellison, horror isn't dripping fangs and flung entrails. It's that creepy unsettling feeling in your soul that something somewhere is utterly and unalterably wrong. That is brought home beautifully in the title story that closes out the book.

I'm fond of all Ellison's anthologies. I loved "Strange Wine", "Deathbird Stories", and "Stalking the Nightare." I even have a signed Easton Press edition of "Angry Candy" that I truly treasure. But for overall entertainment, I still consider "Shatterday" my all-time favorite.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not his best but still better than anything else out there, October 25, 2008

By 

Nevada Smith (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shatterday (Paperback)

This is later period Ellison. The classic is Deathbird Stories. The greats are I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream, and The Beast Who Shouted Love At the Heart of The World. Love Ain'y Nothing B ut Sex Misspelled and Strange Wine are essential. But Shatterday is worth every second you give to it...after you read the other ones listed above. Did I mention that there really isn't an Ellison book you shouldn't read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Writers... EVER, December 9, 2009

By 

MSHARK "Mark" (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shatterday (Paperback)

It's about time Harlan was universally recognized as one of the great writers in the English language. It seems like Ellison has explored every plot, concept, idea, or scenario that exists -- and every screenwriter, SS writer, and novelist in science/speculative/avant garde fiction who came after Harlan owes him -- whether they know it or not. If it's a great idea that's profound, funny, sardonic, exciting, and/or innovative, Harlan has already thought of it -- and thank gawd -- written it. You're in for a treat, but you'd better bring along your brain: you're gonna need it.