The Sixth Day and Other Tales (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This book could have been subtitled "fables for our time." These bizarre stories from master storyteller Levi are full of shadowed meanings, conveying truths about our technological society and how our scientific appetites have outstripped our moral capacities. Thus in "Some Applications of the Mimer," a three-dimensional duplicating machine is used to make a copy of a tinkerer's wife. But the copy brings out jealousies in the first wife. Unhappiness ensues until a novel solution is found. In "For a Good Purpose" a telecommunications system develops an intelligence of its own. Levi takes the technological artifacts that we take for granted and transforms them so that we see both science and human psychology at work. Recommended for most libraries.
- Paul Kaplan, Highland Park P.L., Ill.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

A collection of 25 science fiction stories united by a single idea - that a scientific community has replaced the biblical God's work of creating the world on the sixth day. Each story portrays a highly mechanistic world and explores our technological culture and its effects on our daily lives. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 222 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 1st Summit Books ed edition (June 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671626175
• ISBN-13: 978-0671626174
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #836,419 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great book, original ideas, November 26, 2004

By	a reader "krecneps" (Washington state) - See all my reviews

this book is obviously fiction, but his style of writing so matter-of-factly makes these dreamed up stories so tangible. most of levi's work is non-fiction, autobiographical, always in first person. however, although still in first person, the sixth day is a subtle stretch from the rest of levi's work. like some kind of autobiographical sci-fi, almost believable, until you realize that what he's writing about is pretty unlikely, if not impossible. the book is full of several very original ideas, some of which totally blew me away. i recommend this book to any levi fan, anyone who enjoys a little intelligent escapism, or anyone just looking to read some excellent creative writing. a friend of mine turned me on to levi's writing, recommending this book specifically. it took me awhile to find it, so i ended up first reading another of his, titled "moments of reprieve", which was also great.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Sixth Day is a feast for the mind and the imagination., April 20, 1998

By	Russ Brown (Idaho Falls, Idaho) - See all my reviews

Primo Levi's collection of short stories provides a strange and provocative exploration of science and life. It compels the reader to think about familiar things in unfamiliar ways. The Sixth Day is extraordinary.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Short stories of depth and understanding, August 21, 1997

By A Customer

This collection of stories is both intellectual, funny and poignant, and deserves reading at least once by anyone who values good writing and food for thought. Each story is different, but all resonate with a deep sympathy for the human condition and a gentle humour that willplace Levi within the range of anyone's favourite authors