The Last Dangerous Visions
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4.5 • 11 Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
An anthology more than half a century in the making, The Last Dangerous Visions is the third and final installment of the legendary science fiction anthology series.
In 1973 celebrated writer and editor Harlan Ellison announced the third and final volume of his unprecedented anthology series, which began with Dangerous Visions and continued with Again, Dangerous Visions. But for reasons undisclosed, The Last Dangerous Visions was never completed.
Now, six years after Ellison’s passing, science fiction’s most famous unpublished book is here. And with it, the heartbreaking true story of the troubled genius behind it.
Provocative and controversial, socially conscious and politically charged, wildly imaginative yet deeply grounded, the thirty-two never-before-published stories, essays, and poems in The Last Dangerous Visions stand as a testament to Ellison’s lifelong pursuit of art, uniting a diverse range of science fiction writers both famous and newly minted, including Max Brooks, Edward Bryant, Cecil Castellucci, James S. A. Corey, Howard Fast, P. C. Hodgell, Dan Simmons, Robert Sheckley, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Mildred Downey Broxon, and Cory Doctorow, among others.
The historic publication of The Last Dangerous Visions completes the long-awaited final chapter in an incredible literary legacy.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
J. Michael Straczynski, close friend of Ellison (1934–2018) and the executor of his estate, honors his commitment to publish the brilliant third and final Dangerous Visions anthology, a stellar assembly of impressive talent which fulfills the series' mandate to present "cutting-edge stories that spoke to our humanity in all its flaws, faults, and glories." These 32 tales come from both big names—including James S.A. Corey and David Brin—and relative unknowns. Standouts include Stephen Robinett's chilling "Assignment No. 1," an all-too-plausible exploration of how elder care might be handled in the future. In Cecil Castellucci's "After Taste," an interstellar foodie's visit to another species to assess their cuisine lands her in an unexpected dilemma that will remind readers of an emotionally complex Twilight Zone episode. Dan Simmons's gut-wrenching "The Final Pogrom" opens with the line, "The IBM, Honeywell, and other advanced computers were immensely useful in the final roundup of the Jews," before detailing how technological advances can continue to be harnessed in support of humanity's worst aspects. The tales are bookended by Straczynski's essays describing his relationship with Ellison and the process of selecting what has been included in this volume, which was initially scheduled to appear in 1974. The result is a must-read for genre fans.
Customer Reviews
Conclusion of the Classic Series of Anthologies
“The Last Dangerous Visions” is the third and final anthology in the series begun by Harlan Ellison in the late 1960s. It was completed on his behalf in 2024 by J. Michael Straczynski. It literally was five decades in the making, having been intended to be published in the late 1970s.
Straczynski explains things in his forward, and afterward. Most importantly, he includes in his essay “Ellison Exegesis” his own personal journey from reading Ellison as a child, then meeting Ellison, and finally becoming his confidant and executor of his estate. He doesn’t pull punches in this narrative, and explains Ellison’s mental health problems, including why he was never able to complete “The Last Dangerous Visions.”
So this anthology was clearly an obligation, and a labor of love. Many of the stories included were originally purchased by Harlan Ellison for the anthology, but many of the original stories could no longer be used. Some were returned to the authors or their estates over the years. Others had aged out, and were no longer relevant, or dangerous. At one time, Harlan had so many stories planed that this anthology would have occupied three volumes! Straczynski commissioned a few new stories from major modern authors, and had a contest to find a story by an entirely new author.
The result is a worthy finale to the series. It includes artwork that is perfect for the anthology, and the stories illustrated. It’s about 90% science fiction, with a little fantasy, and a few pieces that defy categorization (which is appropriate). Straczynski writes afterwards each story that begin speaking of the authors in present tense, then goes on to describe their lives and passing (if this has occurred). He is clear that it is not a perfect effort, but he explains his choices and his determination to see the project through. In the end, I think it stands on its own. It’s a unique volume, and worthy of being experienced.