Wandering Stars: An Anthology of Jewish Fantasy and Science Fiction

Home » Science Fiction » Wandering Stars: An Anthology of Jewish Fantasy and Science Fiction

List Price: $18.99
Price: $18.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details...
You Save: $0.00(0.00%)
Binding: Kindle Edition
EAN:
Feature:
Label: Jewish Lights Publishing
Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing
Studio: Jewish Lights Publishing
Tags:

Editorial Reviews

Jewish science fiction and fantasy? Yes! The distinguished list of contributors includes: Bernard Malamud, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Isaac Asimov, Robert Silverberg, Harlan Ellison, Pamela Sargent, Avram Davidson, Geo. Alec Effinger, Horace L. Gold, Robert Sheckley, William Tenn, and Carol Carr.

William Tenn's futuristic story "On Venus, Have We Got A Rabbi" takes on the volatile issue of "Who is a Jew?"--a question certainly as timely in 1998 as he imagines it will be in 2533. Asimov's "Unto the Fourth Generation" takes on the issue of Jews as endangered species in America, a theme that is even more apparent today than it was in 1974. Davidson's "The Golem" humorously plants the Frankenstein monster of Jewish folklore right in the middle-class bungalow culture of contemporary Hollywood, California.

Wandering Stars reminds us that we are still studying, still suffering, still making jokes and myth, and still trying to figure out what it means to be Jewish. You don't have to be Jewish to enjoy this clever book. We laughed out loud reading it.



Related Reviews

a well-deserved reprint - highly recommended

stochasticity @ 1998-05-22

This book has been long out of print (the copyright is 1974), so I'm very glad to see it back in print.

This is a collection of classic short stories by some great writers, both in and out of the SF field. They include William Tenn, Avram Davidson, Isaac Asimov, Carol Carr, Robert Silverberg, Horace L. Gold, Pamela Sargent, Bernard Malamud, George Alec Effinger, Robert Sheckley, and Isaac Bashevis Singer. It's notable also for the only laugh-out-loud story that I've ever read from Harlan Ellison.

My only complaint, if you could call it that, is that a newer version of this anthology is long overdue. I recommend this book highly and without reservations.

An Easy Read, Repeatedly

Michael C. Riehle @ 2002-01-30

The stories here address Jewish themes, but they also address more universally human themes. The best science fiction is as much about the characters and their motives as about technology. The truly sublime stuff gives us an insight into how technology affects the character's motives.

The stories in this book range from the merely great to the truly sublime. Most are humorous and these tend to be the most memorable. This book has quickly become an old friend I pick up when I don't have the energy to read a new book.

Memorable!

By A Customer @ 2001-12-13

I read this book in its first release over twenty years ago. I lent my book out to many of my friends and eventually lost track of it. I just had to have another copy so I bought it once again. "Unto the Fourth Generation" was my introduction to Isaac Asimov and led to my love of his writing over the years. "Look, You Think You've Got Troubles" by Carol Carr is a humorous look at futuristic bigotry ... I think of it as a jewish Archie Bunker in space. All of these short stories are excellent and I look forward to re-reading each and every one of them..

Wandering not far enough?

Dean Cowan "Dean" @ 2009-04-27

This is a very enjoyable and sometimes challenging collection of short-stories by Jewish Science Fiction and fantasy authors. They tend to fall into three categories of story types. The folkloric such as Avram Davidson's two frightening stories " The Golem" and " Goslin Day" as well as the more famous works of Bernard Malamud's satire "The Jew-Bird" and I.B. Singer's mysterious " Jachid and Jachida". The second category is the taking of familiar Jewish themes such as assimilation and confused identities and working them into a science fiction format, the most intelligent being the hilarious " The Dybukk of Mazel Tov IV" by Robert Siverberg and the Orwellian " Paradise Last " by Geo.Alec Effinger. Then there is those that fall outside of the first two categories and are more inventive such as the idea of the talking city in Robert Sheckley's " Street of Dreams, Feet of Clay" and the psychic child of a holocaust survivor in Pamela Sargeant's " Gather Blue Roses" which probably ranks as my personal favourite in this strong collection. The rest including works by some famous writers fall short of the others mentioned and this is mainly due to the fact that many secular Jewish writers seem to find it hard to write Jewish characters without resorting to over used Jewish stereotypes. The hectoring wife/smoothering mother, the put upon shlemiel of a father who can also be a grobber vulgarian when he wants to be.It becomes tiresome to read dialogue which starts with " Nu?" even if it is put into the mouth of an orthodox Jewish alien with a caterpillar body and several arms. The frequency of this lets an otherwise excellent collection down.However I would recommend this book for the the vast entertainment value it provides.

Wandering Stars

Barbara Somach @ 2011-04-17

I am not much of a fan of science fiction. I purchased it because it was a re-print from Jewish Lights Publishing. It had stories that had deeper truth. If you like science fiction, you will certianly enjoy this one. A read for me, but not a read again.

Laughter between the covers

"innocents" @ 2001-01-11

Have you ever found a book that you simply fall in love with for no reason at all? I will confess, WANDERING STARS has enchanted me.

STARS is a book that transcends its target market. It is more than science fiction, more than Jewish. Its themes are universal, its stories are written for those of us who are solidly human.

That such a diverse group of writers could contribute to such a well-rounded anthology is not this book's biggest surprise. The laughter you hear rippling over each page takes that honor.

Share your thoughts with other customers
Create your own review