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Harlan Ellison
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I Have No Mouth & I Must Scream Paperback – August 4, 2009

by Harlan Ellison (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars 3,038 ratings
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  1. Hugo AwardWinner, 1968
Next page
First published in 1967 and re-issued in 1983, I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream contains seven stories with copyrights ranging from 1958 through 1967. This edition contains the original introduction by Theodore Sturgeon and the original foreword by Harlan Ellison, along with a brief update comment by Ellison that was added in the 1983 edition. Among Ellison's more famous stories, two consistently noted as among his very best ever are the title story and the volume's concluding one, "Pretty Maggie Moneyeyes". Since Ellison himself strongly resists categorization of his work, we won't call them science fiction, or SF, or speculative fiction or horror or anything else except compelling reading experiences that are sui generis. They could only have been written by Harlan Ellison and they are incomparably original.
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  1. Book 1 of 1
    Voice from the Edge
  2. Print length
    144 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    e-reads.com
  5. Publication date
    August 4, 2009
  6. Dimensions
    5.51 x 0.34 x 8.5 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0759298157
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0759298156
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ e-reads.com
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 4, 2009
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 144 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0759298157
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0759298156
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.51 x 0.34 x 8.5 inches
  • Book 1 of 1 ‏ : ‎ Voice from the Edge
  • Best Sellers Rank: #2,406,909 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 3,038 ratings

About the author

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Harlan Ellison

Harlan Ellison

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Harlan Jay Ellison (born May 27, 1934) is an American writer. His principal genre is speculative fiction.

His published works include over 1,700 short stories, novellas, screenplays, comic book scripts, teleplays, essays, a wide range of criticism covering literature, film, television, and print media. He was editor and anthologist for two science fiction anthologies, Dangerous Visions (1967) and Again, Dangerous Visions (1972). Ellison has won numerous awards including multiple Hugos, Nebulas and Edgars.

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Photo by Pip R. Lagenta from San Mateo, San Mateo [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
3,038 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a great collection of edgy short stories, praising its writing style and profound introspection. They appreciate the author's work, with one customer noting it's a perfect introduction to Harlan Ellison. The stories receive mixed reactions - while some find them dark and disturbing, others consider them beyond gross. The book's appearance receives mixed reviews, with some describing it as beautiful while others find it plain-looking.

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ReadabilityStories qualityWriting styleDepthAuthorCollection qualityStory qualityBeauty
84 customers mention "Readability"81 positive3 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a great classic with interesting reads, and one customer mentions it's a book they enjoy re-reading.

"Great book. Ellison is a master storyteller." Read more

"Amazing book. It was packaged very well and is in amazing condition." Read more

"...It's a quick read, and overall it's worth it. However I found Ellison's own narrative in between the stories came off as extremely pretentious...." Read more

"great read" Read more

79 customers mention "Stories quality"66 positive13 negative

Customers enjoy the stories in this collection, particularly appreciating its edgy and science fiction content, with one customer highlighting a particularly good story about a traveling space circus.

"great collection of short stories...." Read more

"Great stories...too bad you start at 5% in, no title page, no table of contents...and missing the beginning of "I Have No Mouth."..." Read more

"Good stories. Classics, with authors notes...." Read more

"The title story is one of the best sic-fi short stories I have ever read. The others are a mixed bag." Read more

34 customers mention "Writing style"26 positive8 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, describing it as tremendous and very readable, with one customer noting the author's passion.

"...But just OK. Ellison's writing is creative, and his style is excellent. However, I found it dated...." Read more

"...He's a fantastic writer, and at this point one of my favorites...." Read more

"What’s not to like? Classic sci-fi, author commentary, and twist endings rendered in beautiful Technicolor...." Read more

"The book was ok; it wasn't my forte. Didn't really care for the writing. It was simplistic and linear...." Read more

19 customers mention "Depth"19 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the depth of the book, noting its introspective content and symbolic power, with one customer describing it as a thought experiment.

"...his most popular stories kept company by six others, all dark and enlightening, entertaining and thought provoking...." Read more

"There are some dark and profound truths in this collection. If you pay close attention, these stories may just alter your perception of the world." Read more

"...stories have a level of harsh, bleak, cold introspection, yet strong symbolic power...." Read more

"...They weren't just fun, in fact, but actually rather morally deep. But at they same time, not preachy." Read more

11 customers mention "Author"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the author's work, with some being big fans of Harlan Ellison, and one customer describing him as a master of science fiction.

"...artistic authors of the 20th and 21st centuries, he is essential for any fans of Sci-Fi and arguably literature in general...." Read more

"...I would recommend this collection as a perfect introduction to Harlan Ellison or the long-time reader looking for a nice set of his stories." Read more

"Then you read these stories and it all comes back. Here is a brilliant mind and a consummate story master that actually has something marvellous to..." Read more

"...Read it by all means. Best author since Eric Hofer.l." Read more

11 customers mention "Collection quality"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the collection, with one noting it includes additional works beyond the main stories.

"...This collection is good but not what I'm into at this point in time...." Read more

"...This is a great collection. I'd first read his "A Boy And His Dog" from the Nebula Awards 5 collection, and have been a big fan ever since." Read more

"Best ever collection. I cried...." Read more

"...It's a short collection. Focused, it will take you no longer than a day or two, but I stretched it over a few days to savor the journey...." Read more

66 customers mention "Story quality"34 positive32 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the stories in the book, with some praising them as great science fiction while others find them very dark and beyond gross.

"This is the kind of science fiction that I have been looking for...." Read more

"...I found this story to be rather bittersweet and sad, but I also found it to be quite profound. “..." Read more

"I am blown away. What an emotional, mind-bending, unique experience, weaved into every story...." Read more

"...This is a deep unsettle, an all-encompassing sickness that permeates my mind and suffocates the soul. I could not recommend it enough." Read more

8 customers mention "Beauty"5 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's beauty, with some finding it beautiful in every way, while others describe it as bleak and extremely pretentious.

"...Suffice to say that all these stories have a level of harsh, bleak, cold introspection, yet strong symbolic power...." Read more

"...Ellison's own narrative in between the stories came off as extremely pretentious...." Read more

"The stories are great, gives a real grim visual of what dread can be and drags your mind through mud you never knew existed.. and then comes the..." Read more

"Best ever collection. I cried. Beauty, vivacity, nostalgia, romance, suspense, adventure, horror, dreams, nightmares, betrayal, intrigue,..." Read more

Beautifully horrifying
5 out of 5 stars
Beautifully horrifying
Disclaimer, I have only read I have no mouth & I must scream thus far; I will tentatively describe what it has left me with. This is a deep unsettle, an all-encompassing sickness that permeates my mind and suffocates the soul. I could not recommend it enough.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Natalie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Amazing book. It was packaged very well and is in amazing condition.
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  • fra7299
    4.0 out of 5 stars Odd, surrealistic, yet introspective collection of tales
    Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I will confess that I had only heard of the lead story of this collection through word of mouth (pardon the bad pun) and that this was my first experience reading this author. I am glad I read on after reading “I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream” because I felt like there were a few ones that were better in my opinion.

    I feel like when you step on into the arena of a Harlan Ellison reading experience, you are entering into a singularly, odd realm.

    I would say that there are many thoughts and adjectives to describe the feelings associated with reading the collection, and it is difficult to quantify in a few words.

    Suffice to say that all these stories have a level of harsh, bleak, cold introspection, yet strong symbolic power. There is a high level of brutality and violence, but often there is some sort of theme or moral. On a whole, these stories embody experimentalism, a surrealistic approach, existential, post-apocalyptic oddities in which we have two layers of storytelling and meaning: the fantasy realm and the surface level.

    Of the stories included, I think my favorites were “Big Sam was my Friend”, “Eyes of Dust.” And the final story, “Petty Maggie Moneyeyes.”

    According to the author’s note, “Big Sam was my Friend” is about there being a situation when it is necessary to take action for an individual in a given circumstance when it is the right thing to do and how, oftentimes, the individual does not act in this particular situation. I found this story to be rather bittersweet and sad, but I also found it to be quite profound.

    “Eyes of Dust” to me seem the closest thing to an episode of The Outer Limits or The Twilight Zone (I’m thinking of the episode “Eye of the Beholder”). The story involves a place known as Topaz that does not tolerate “ugliness” or “deformity” or “imperfections” or any kind. A couple raise a son known as Person and the son is isolated from society because of Topaz’ intolerance of imperfection. I thought there was a brilliant level of symbolic power, irony and moralistic depth to this story, the irony being how the concept of “beauty” is depicted as only being superficial and surface level. I rather liked these quotes because I think they epitomize the moral and theme of the tale:

    “But Person had eyes of dust, and the eyes of dust saw what could not be seen, and the soul within was the sweet soul of the visionary.”

    “And the clouds passed before two of the moons, looking so much like the eyes of dust it was clear Topaz had cursed itself with ugliness.”

    “Pretty Maggie Moneyeyes” depicts the Las Vegas lifestyle as immoral through the lead character, Kostner, who has an incredible string of “good luck” on one particular slot machine. This is no ordinary slot machine, though, as it has a bit of a short history and back story:

    “So now he stood before the machine. It spoke to him. Inside his skull, where no one had ever lived but himself, now someone else moved and spoke to him.”

    Of all the stories, this one has the strongest level of stream of consciousness writing style, and there is an exceptional way the author fuses fantasy and character perspective.

    Truth be told, the stories are very dark, and may leave the reader feeling a bit cold, but there is also quite a bit of introspection, moral, and social commentary contained through the layers of symbolism and fantasy that I thought very compelling. This collection is definitely different than anything I have ever read before.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Zachary Littrell
    5.0 out of 5 stars Addicting, mind-bending, and unsettling
    Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I am blown away. What an emotional, mind-bending, unique experience, weaved into every story. Ellison crafts each story, ranging from psychedelic fantasy to straight science fiction, as imperfect, unrepentant, and unrelenting. Threaded through each story is the theme of humanity looking at itself, and terrified at what they find. The characters are petty narcissists with few redeemable qualities, many of them bordering on insanity, but Ellison's addicting prose forces you to continue the stories to their conclusion, wherever that may lead.

    It's a short collection. Focused, it will take you no longer than a day or two, but I stretched it over a few days to savor the journey. A few of my personal favorites:

    I Have No Mouth & I Must Scream -- a post-apocalyptic horror story with a mad supercomputer playing a cruel, misanthropic god. A surreal, and horrifying journey from beginning to end.

    Big Sam Was My Friend -- a galactic circus of gifted 'teepers' (people with powers like teleporting or taming animals) is already a cool setting that I would want to read. But then came the heartache.

    Delusions For A Dragon Slayer -- The phrase "WTF" came into my head several times. Seriously. You'd think the title would prepare me for the climax -- a dragon does appear -- but at no point did I accurately guess what would happen next. I will not forget this story any time soon.

    It might be possible to be turned off by the collection -- there were times where I wondered if I would. As I said, these are stories populated thoroughly by a-holes, sexists, narcissists, and generally unappealing jerks. That being said, do not allow that to dissuade you from this unparalleled experience. The whole point of this collection isn't a celebration of these characteristics. Instead, Ellison is inviting you to look at them, as they struggle to look at themselves -- judge, condemn, or pity, that's up to you. Undeniably, though, Ellison purposefully leaves the line between the human characters and monsters treacherously thin.
    11 people found this helpful
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  • JayT
    3.0 out of 5 stars So so
    Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    A so so collection of stories that are at times so surreal that they are difficult to follow. The first tale is this volume’s lone standout.
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  • Rhys Saliba
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully horrifying
    Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Disclaimer, I have only read I have no mouth & I must scream thus far; I will tentatively describe what it has left me with. This is a deep unsettle, an all-encompassing sickness that permeates my mind and suffocates the soul. I could not recommend it enough.
    Customer image
    Rhys Saliba
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Beautifully horrifying

    Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2023
    Disclaimer, I have only read I have no mouth & I must scream thus far; I will tentatively describe what it has left me with. This is a deep unsettle, an all-encompassing sickness that permeates my mind and suffocates the soul. I could not recommend it enough.
    Images in this review
    Customer imageCustomer image
    5 people found this helpful
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  • J. Sexton
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well-written short fiction, but uncomfortable to read
    Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I had read this a long time ago; in fact, I actually have a paperback that is autographed by Ellison. It was time to read it again. I had forgotten how well Ellison wrote. After reading the book, I realized how uncomfortable Ellison's stories make me.

    It is the title story that gets the most attention as it won the Hugo, deservedly so. The other two stories that affected me were "Delusion for a Dragon Slayer" and "Pretty Maggie Moneyeyes." The first one left me sad for the title character. The latter one had so much to say about addiction and desire.

    If you like well-written short stories, you might try this collection.
    16 people found this helpful
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  • Jared Abbott
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fun
    Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    These were fun stories to read, and I'm eager to read Ellison's other works now. They weren't just fun, in fact, but actually rather morally deep. But at they same time, not preachy.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Amy
    5.0 out of 5 stars We found it!!!
    Reviewed in Canada on May 12, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This is an incredibly expensive book to buy. We found it at a great price on Amazon. So excited to own this!!!!!
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  • Mr Muscolo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Un classico
    Reviewed in Italy on November 8, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Bella prefazione e belle storie.
    Se vi piace l'horror questa raccolta è imprescindibile.
    Ci tengo solo a far notare che "Non ho bocca e devo urlare" è solo una storia breve, non è il libro intero come molti credono
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  • William Hayes
    5.0 out of 5 stars Finally getting the recognition it deserves.
    Reviewed in Australia on August 13, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Ellison's magnum opus, the jewel of his literary career, 'I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream' is an often horrifying and occasionally uncomfortably brutal story of survival and torture of the mind and body. It's easy to recommend to most thanks to its concise nature, and going in with as little knowledge as possible of the story is the best way to experience this deceptively simple story.
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  • Mechante Minette
    5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning
    Reviewed in France on May 26, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    As peculiar as the style and stories might be, every one of them nevertheless strongly grasped my attention in a way only Harlan Ellison could. I recommend this book to anyone who truly enjoys literature.
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  • Rusty
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ellison is brilliant as usual but seems to inspire love and hate from those who read his work
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 25, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Harlan Ellison is, so it seems, very much a "Marmite" author. I unashamedly fall into the "love it" camp.

    Why?

    Ellison is one of the few authors whose writing always manages to illicit huge swings of emotion in me. The first time I read the short story "I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream" I felt so worn out and almost on the verge of a panic attack, choking back a throat full of bile at the gradual painting of a situation that Ellison had managed to stuff, kicking and screaming, into my mind that I couldn't fall asleep for several hours.

    Bedtime reading? Certainly not for me anymore. His writing, in my opinion, is second to none in this style. I must declare that I tend not to read an awful lot of fictional books but somehow Ellison has always managed to grab my attention and never let go unlike most other authors.

    If you like it, you'll love it but I'm sure it won't be to the taste of everyone.
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