Customer Reviews

Tales from the White Hart

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A series of short stories, tales told in a bar (the White Hart) among a group of scientists, writers, and laymen. The central story-teller is one Henry Purvis, an obnoxious fellow with a trick of pausing at the climax for a new draught beer, whom no one has yet managed to prove a liar. He tells almost believable tales of science and wouldn't-it-be-nice science. One learns of a silencer that silences more than guns, a carnivorous orchid with a secret, a ballistic computer with a sense of humour. Much of the delight in the tales arises from the fact that they were written in the 1950's, and it is amazing how much Clarke could see of the future. I suspect Clarke may have felt he'd written himself into a corner, because the series of tales and the book end rather suddenly, with a hint for the future but no real hope that Purvis will be back. A delghtful find, to be read by all who enjoy Clarke, bar stories, science fiction, and humour.

If you can think of one set of SF short stories involving tall tales told in bars, it's probably Spider Robinson's 'Callahan's' series. But if you can think of two, this is probably the second.

Although never as big a Clarke fan as I've been of Asimov and Heinlein, I still have fond memories of several of Clarke's books. _Rendezvous with Rama_ is probably his best novel and it's been one of my favorites of his since it was first published. His short stories, too, are generally of high quality (remember e.g. 'The Nine Billion Names of God'?).

The series of tales collected herein is a bit different (for Clarke). For one thing, they're _funny_ -- Arthur C. Clarke funny, that is, not Douglas Adams funny, but funny all the same.

They're on the light side and they're deftly executed. But don't expect guffaws; in order to appreciate Harry Purvis and his stories, you pretty much have to be the sort of person who thinks 'The Defenestration of Ermintrude Inch' is a funny title.

If you've read Clarke but you haven't read this book, grab a copy and see what you think. The 'White Hart' isn't Callahan's, but it's a pleasant place to hang out and listen to some tall tales.

Written in the in the era when Brits talked about the "White Hot Fire" of Technology, when Nuclear Power was cool ("Enough plutonium in Sellafield to boil the Irish sea, heh!") and tweed jackets and pipes were the last word in attire. Don't snub it thought - Lotus Cars now own the patent on one of the inventions in this classic; my old boss from Caltech confirms another. I can cionfirm first hand that 'Tales' reflect the atmosphere and sociology of science in some parts of Cambridge University or at the British National Physical Laboratory even today . . .

"Tales From the White Heart" brings some true fun into science fiction reading; a break from the deadly serious which is so often the hallmark of sci-fi. Like tall tales of the old west, the stories here are almost believeable, which makes them perfect for the English Pub background. Presented in short-story form, the book makes easy evening reading. I highly recommend "Tales From the White Heart" for both serious and casual sci-fi readers, from adolescent up.

I wouldn't throw it away! This is one of the most entertaining collections of stories in the sci-fi genre. At the White Hart, a British pub, are an odd assortment of patrons from the literary and scientific fields, as well as laymen interested in the discussions going on around them. One Harry Purvis inevitably manages to dominate the talk with his incredible tales of wondrous scientific romance, which he insists are true. He will often find a good reason for leaving just as a flaw in his story starts to become obvious to one or more of his listeners, and they wax suspicious that the tale truly is incredible. The way Clarke weaves real science with interesting and hilarious short fiction makes this one of my favorites of all his works. I would especially recommend it to readers who are new to science-fiction. Unlike a lot of such works, this one only gets better with age.

Welcome to the White Hart, where every Wednesday night features a gathering of scientists, writers, and interested on-lookers who come to drink tepid beer and be regaled by the Tall Tales of one Harry Purvis, a man of uncertain origins, profession, and education, who claims to know so much about so many subjects of scientific interest. These tales were originally published individually, but together they are 'bookended' by "Silence Please" and "The Defenestration of Ermintrude Inch" to create a kind of frame story. Purvis' deadpan declamations of yarns that range from all-too-believable to patently absurd, combined with the fictional Clarke's own pointed comments about the White Hart, its clientele, and Purvis' overall credibility, make this perhaps the funniest science fiction book ever written. Using analogy in place of logic, Purvis posits wildly improbable advances in a number of different directions that in some cases have paralleled actual scientific developments that have taken place in the decades since these stories were written.

More serious-minded fans should take pleasure in the not-always-easy task of finding the precise flaws in Purvis' stories, which usually include just enough hard science to be credible to the casual layman. "The Next Tenants" is the only story in this collection that has any really serious message to it, and while the story is chillingly effective despite its absurdities, this book is really about laughs. From that standpoint, "Moving Spirit" is probably the best, featuring an eccentric millionaire, his illegal distillery, and a hilarious courtroom scene in which Purvis testifies as an expert witness with devastating results.

Despite the occasional slapstick moments, Clarke's humor is generally on the dry side, so this book may not please everyone. There isn't a lot of action in the traditional action/adventure sense, and female characters are usually absent or antagonistic. Still, if you're comfortable in a males-only, scientific atmosphere, there's plenty of good clean fun to be had at the White Hart.

Belly up to the bar lads and take a listen to the tales to be told at the White Hart Pub. You won't find her on any map, but once a friend has shown you the way you'll never forget the steps to get here. Listen to the good professor. His tales are tall, but he'll tell them all and you'll never want for entertainment, fellowship or thirst within these walls. Salute

Long before Douglas Adams ever thought of a "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", Arthur C. Clark brought off a successful marriage between humor and science fiction. Whereas Adams' humor is broad, lowbrow, and slapstick, Clark's is intelligent, dry, and refined.

It's been years since I read this book, but the stories still blaze vividly in my mind. From the theatrical arms race that got out of hand to the ultimate melody to the defenestration of Ermintrude Inch, the stories are well conceived, well executed, and funny.

Harry Purvis serves as the Scheherazade of the White Hart, a pub frequented by science fiction writers and engineers. Harry is a master at the art of "bullthrowing", and can top any story from anybody any time.

Stop by the White Hart, order an ale, and sit down and listen to the master storyteller regale his audience. You'll come to regret that Clark never wrote "More Tales from the White Hart."

"Tales from the White Hart" is a rare book: it is good, thought-provoking, and funny sci-fi. The 15 short stories are told from the perspective of someone listening to beer-drinking scientists in a little-known bar named the White Hart. (If beer-drinking scientists sound boring, don't worry--Clarke makes them human and entertaining.) To anyone who enjoys good fiction with a scientific twist, read this book (if you can get your hands on a copy).

The "Tales From The White Hart" is a collection of, usually, funny sci-fi stories. The book was written half a century ago, so the technology is not up to date. However, the humor is as fresh as it can be. The "Armaments Race" is one of the funniest stories I have ever read. I have purchased (over the last forty, or more, years) at least four copies of this book. They have been loaned to friends and not returned. This is a must read for Sci-fi readers.