Customer Reviews

Standard Candles: The Best Short Fiction of Jack McDevitt

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This is one of those few books that one always hopes to find, but so rarely does. It's kind of odd: I enjoy the novels that McDevitt writes, but the place where he's absolutely incomparable is his short fiction. I'd become turned on to him from Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine (stories "Black to Move" among others), which had totally blown me away, as well as the magazine "Chess Life," if you'll believe it. I was somewhat surprised to hear that he did, indeed, have a book of short stories, and was even more surprised to see it had been a fairly small printing. Upon getting it, though, I was not to be disappointed: with the occasional exception (including, oddly enough, the title story), this book is amazing. Easily compares, in my opinion, with the best of Bradbury, Clarke, or Asimov -- people for whom I have tremendous respect. Mr. McDevitt is able to build a truly marvelous universe, and then capture you in it. Not all the stories end happily; few of them even really have much *happen* in them. Instead, they are built by pieces, slowly and methodically put together, to reach a final, frequently stunning conclusion. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would be proud.

If you like science fiction that makes you think, then you need to get this book.

"Standard Candles" is unquestionably a book of short stories that challenges and stimulates the reader's thinking. Each story grips the reader in its character development and plot line. Not all the stories have happy endings, however, there can be only one ending as befits the flow of the action. The stories give the reader another possible explanation to the universe we know. Some also project a belief in a higher being, but not necessarily the strict doctrinal belief with which we are comfortable. This book stretches the imagination, and asks that the reader think three dimensionally about life and the universe. Taut plot lines and sympathetic characters make this a joy to read.

Although McDevitt is a wonderful, fine-tuned specialist in long, complex novels for which he has been justly praised, it's almost as if he has surpassed himself in these short stories. The few things I dislike about the novels - the many minor characters or the practice of using "headlines" - are absent here. Instead we have an exuberant celebration of the English language in all its glory.

It is the investigation of the human condition and the events that impact that condition that is the main concern of great writers. And in this case, no one in science fiction comes close to approaching McDevitt's collection. The short story as a literature form has come into its own lately but the quality has lagged behind. Many writers need LOTS of pages and time to develop an idea to its fullest but McDevitt never fails.

It is his shrewd insight into the affairs of mankind, his hints and suggestions, the power of inference, the almost ephemeral nature of his characters's actions. From the very subtle and very understated opening work from which the collection derives its name to the last, it is a series that inspires awe and deep thoughts - an almost perfect case of knowing just the right moment to pause and sometimes stop. Magnificent!!

I confess. I'm a disciple of John W. Campbell from the Golden Age. Good old Hard Science Fiction. That's always what I dig. But, ,,,I'm begining to wonder if Isaac Asimov, besides being a turncoat, didn't have something going for him after all. Now here is a book by an author that was mostly published by Asimov and apparently never at all by Campbell. But Wow! Yes, they really do differ from your typical Analog story, but, as the French say, "Vive La Difference!" Yeah, I know, I would have flunked French, too, if I had taken it. But to get back to McDevitt. This is the best book of short stories I can remember reading in a long time. And are they memorable! You bet! Only one problem, I liked all the stories but one: Standard Candles, the first story and the one the book is named for. Downbeat and nothing seems to happen. But, damn it, its the only one that I can't get out of my mind. When I try to think of the book - even to write nice things about it, all I can think of is the story, Standard Candles. Such a simple, straightforward story. How could I miss what was really going on? Why did the author consider it good enough to name the whole book? Why can't I forget it? There were others that hit me like a ton of bricks, right where I live - or have lived. Do we all have long lost first loves? But Why, Why, Why can't I forget that first story!

This collection of sixteen short science fiction stories by Jack McDevitt is both entertaining and informative. The range of themes and variation in style well represent the author's longer works. The collection includes McDevitt's first published story, "Cryptic," and the short story that was expanded into his most recent novel, Time Travelers Never Die. Although published in 1996, it remains a career-spanning collection.

My favorite three stories of the sixteen:

In "Black to Move" we land on the first living world earth's explorers have ever found and contemplate the empty city left by its former inhabitants. A first contact specialist uses one of their chess-like games to understand their psychology--and perhaps their intentions.

In "Promises to Keep" a member of an historic expedition to Callisto shares his personal recollections of the voyage and the voyagers. His story is a little different than the official version. The deconstruction of history theme is similar to A Talent For War.

"To Hell With the Stars" provides a brief look a thousand years ahead into a future where mankind has abandoned all ambition to travel to other solar systems. It hasn't seemed likely to succeed for many generations.

The collection also includes a story or two that begins with a compelling idea and never quite takes off. These stories also represent a subset of the author's longer works. This variation in quality makes for a well-rounded and representative collection. I recommend it to both the curious and the committed, to beginning McDevitt readers and those ever eager to read his next story.

Jacl McDevitt is best known for his terrific, hard science fiction. He's usually billed as the modern successor to Asimov, Heinlien, Clement, et.al. Bull, he's better than the lot! His charecters and settings alone are more vivid, more real, than those guys. And underneath it all is a rational, optomistic P.O.V. that gives grudging hope for the future.

This book is a collection of his short stories, which showcase his talents and are a perfect introduction to this mastercraftsman. Even if you are a "fantasy freak," I think you'll enjoy his direct and human approach to the genre. I can't lay my hands on my copy, but if "Nothing Ever Happens in Rock City," isn't in it, buy "Outbound," which does have it. This story is perfect McDevitt! It's main charecter is a liquor store owner telling his wife he just can't understand why the local observatory has just purchased his entire stock of champaign! But you will.

Long after the others cease to be read, there will be McDevitt.

This is what I call a short story collection. McDevitt has the ability to charm his readers into strange territory. A Pied Piper figure that we eagerly follow into the story. But more than that he sparked my interest in some contemporary American literature. Worth reading and at a reasonable price. When it comes out in paperback I'll get a copy so that I can make it all tatty and foxed.

Of the 16 stories in this collection, I thought 4 were really good. These are: "Black to Move", "Promises to Keep", "Ellie", and "Cryptic". The other stories all started with some interesting premise but just didn't go anywhere; I was always expecting some kind of interesting finish that never came. I didn't bother to read the one longest (50 pages) story; I was afraid to. Nevertheless, the stories named above are quite good. I had thoroughly enjoyed McDevitt's first novel, "The Hercules Text", and still intend to try the "Engines of God" series.