The Millennium Express is Volume Nine of Subterranean Press’s series of Robert Silverberg’s complete short stories. I’ve been reading these volumes and I’ve come away with growing respect for Silverberg’s talent and longevity. I was reading Silverberg’s work as a kid back in the 1950s. Silverberg’s work evolved over time. My favorite Silverberg stories are from the 1970s. But looking at Silverberg’s output for over 50 years, I’m impressed by his quality control and versatility. If you’re a fan of Science Fiction, the Subterranean Press Silverberg series contains several must-read volumes.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Diana of the Hundred Breasts
Beauty in the Night
Call Me Titan
The Tree That Grew From the Sky
The Church at Monte Saturno
Hanosz Prime Goes to Old Earth
The Millennium Express
Travelers
The Colonel Returns to the Stars
The Eater of Dreams
A Piece of the Great World
Against the Current
The True Vintage of Erzuine Thale
Defenders of the Frontier
The Prisoner
Smithers and the Ghost of the Thar
At one poiunt I did read a lot of Silverberg, though I must admit not many of these story titles ring a bell – there was a decade when he wrote practically no SF, is that corect? Must look at my shelves to see what is there – thanks George.
Sergio, Subterranean Press’s project of publishing all of Robert Silverberg’s short fiction will probably be the last of its kind. You’re right about Silverberg taking a “break” from writing SF for years…but he returned more prolific than ever!
I agree, George. I’ve downloaded each of these volumes to the Kindle as they’ve been released. They are perfect reading for Starbucks or an airplane. I’ll probably read these on our flight to Vegas in a couple of weeks.
Jeff, you’re right about Silverberg making great airplane reading.
Silverberg is one of my heroes, along with a few others of his generation: Block, Westlake, Hunter/McBain. Amazingly prolific and entertaining, nearly always worth reading.
Bill, the reprinting of all of Theodore Sturgeon’s short stories is the only publishing project I can think of that approaches this Subterranean collection of Silverberg’s work. I’m with you on Block, Westlake, Hunter/McBain.
One of the best parts of these books for me is the way Silverberg introduces the stories, puts them in context of how and why he wrote them, what was going on in his life at the time, etc. That makes the books even better.
Jeff, exactly! Robert Silverberg’s Introductions to his stories are worth the price of admission themselves!
George, I have never read Robert Silverberg’s fiction but I’d love to read some his short stories.
Prashant, if you can find NEBULA or HUGO winning collections of stories, you’ll find some excellent Silverberg short fiction. For a while in the 1970s, Silverberg seemed to be winning every SF award in sight!
I’m not as big of a fan of Silverberg as you are, George, but he did write some very good books. As for this being a one of a kind set of books, NESFA’s 6 volume set of Roger Zelanzy’s short fiction, and their 6 volume (but not yet completed) set of Poul Anderson’s collected short works rival it, in my opinion.
Rick, you’re right about NESFA. I had forgotten about their Zelanzy and Anderson projects. Great books!
I’ve read enough horror anthologies that I MUST have read something by him, but darned if I know what any of the stories were. I’ll have to read a dedicated collection sometime.
Kelly, Robert Silverberg was winning almost every Science Fiction award in sight during the late 1960s and 1970s. His range is impressive. Silverberg’s novels from that time period are worth a look, too.