Harlan Ellison, thoughts?

[Fried Egg]

Anyone read much of this author.

I've just finished my first book by him, a collection called "I have no mouth and I must scream." I thought it was very good. I particularly liked the story "lonelyache".

I can imagine that some would find his work too negative and harsh but I think he was very talented.

All all his collections of this high standard? Any recommendations?

[J-Sun]

I love Alone Against Tomorrow (which partly duplicates yours as both the title story and "Lonelyache" are in there) and Deathbird Stories. I have a gigantic tome of The Essential Harlan Ellison but haven't read it yet. I've read one of his more mainstream works, too - I wasn't as impressed with it. And, of course, dozens of anthologized stories. So it's not much to go on. However, my impression is that his collections are sometimes inconsistent. Not that I gather any are awful but many of them are themed or chronologically focused and if the theme doesn't appeal or the style in the particular era doesn't suit, you might not like it as much.

I think his work is fantastic - it's more his personality that some find negative and harsh. To some he's a prince who looks out for his friends and to some he's a litigious *bleep*. To some he's a master storyteller and to some he's a showoff (famous for writing stories in store windows or on the spur of the moment from audience requests or whatever). He and Isaac Asimov were famous at conventions for trading insults (Harlan's very short, for instance). Unless I'm mistaken, they were friendly insults (I think it's a New York thing).

Many of his stories are suited to youthful rebellion ("'Repent Harlequin!' Said the Ticktockman" is a classic example) though Alone has the specific theme of "alienation" and is dedicated to the students killed at Kent State, among others. Deathbird is a "pantheon of modern gods". And, of course, Essential is a 1000 page "35 year retrospective". (I think there's a different edition which covers even more turf.)

-- Forgot to mention: he of course wrote one of the best episodes of Star Trek with "The City on the Edge of Forever" and rightly won a Nebula for one of my all-time favorites: "A Boy and His Dog". Sounds sweet doesn't it? Two hints: it's written by Harlan Ellison and the dog's name is "Blood".

[D_Davis]

Good in small doses, but I find his misanthropy a little too much to handle sometimes.

[blacknorth]

I have very little to add to what J-Sun has said, except to say Jeffty Is Five is a very great story, and Ellison is an excellent writer. I wouldn't class him as misanthropic - I think he hates sytems, but often recognises systems are made up of people, and rules/rooms/circuits invented by people, all designed to enslave or corrupt other people; and many of his stories seem to be a genuine protest, in the manner of I have no mouth...

He reminds me of Bob Dylan (who is also short ).

[dask]

HE is very hit and miss with me. Started his novel SPIDER KISS but couldn't get into it and so placed it back on the shelf. "I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream" was the only story I enjoyed in the collection of the same name. His famous stories tend to be the best: "Jeffty Is Five", which I read in F&SF's Harlan Ellison issue impressed me much more than I had expected, "Shattered Like A Glass Goblin" was great but don't remember why, and "Deathbird" rolled tears down my face. Admittedly I've read only a fraction of his output and need to read more. I've skimmed a friend's copy of THE GLASS TEAT and would very much like to fine a copy of that someday.

[Diggler]

I have only read The Beast That Shouted Love at the Heart of the World, which is just a bunch of short stories. But it does include his fantastic (and most well known) short story, A Boy and His Dog. Which would have to be one of the most influential Post Apocalyptic stories written.

[clovis-man]

Originally Posted by Diggler

I have only read The Beast That Shouted Love at the Heart of the World, which is just a bunch of short stories. But it does include his fantastic (and most well known) short story, A Boy and His Dog. Which would have to be one of the most influential Post Apocalyptic stories written.

The novella was adapted into the 1975 film of the same name featuring a very young Don Johnson and Jason Robards. His list of film and TV credits is impressive:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0255196/#Writer

My favorite is the Star Trek episode from 1967, "The City on the Edge of Forever". I also liked the 1964 Outer Limits episode, "Demon with a Glass Hand".

[Diggler]

Originally Posted by clovis-man

The novella was adapted into the 1975 film of the same name featuring a very young Don Johnson and Jason Robards. His list of film and TV credits is impressive:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0255196/#Writer

Yeah, after reading this I felt the urge to track down the film. I bought it on DVD and will hopefully have it in the next week or so.

[J-Sun]

How's that for keeping it going? Harlan Ellison just won a 2011 Nebula for short story for "How Interesting: A Tiny Man" (tied with Kij Johnson).

[antiloquax]

I am a big fan of Harlan Ellison (I also have the big "Essential" collection). As well as the ones mentioned I like: "The Man Who Was Heavily Into Revenge", "The Whimper of Whipped Dogs", "The Prowler in the City at the Edge of the World", "All the Birds Come Home to Roost", "Grail", "The Time of The Eye", "Driving in the Spikes", "Punky and the Yale Men".
And then there's "The Soldier" - the script for the Outer Limits that influenced "Terminator".

I think he is amazing. Very dark. In a good way!
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[clovis-man]

Originally Posted by antiloquax

And then there's "The Soldier" - the script for the Outer Limits that influenced "Terminator".

Not credited, AFAIK, but it also had to be an influence for another movie:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120157/

[clovis-man]

Just noted recently on Nancy Kress' blog that Harlan Ellison has been ill and was unable to attend to accept his Locus award at the ceremonies this month. Neil Gaiman accepted on his behalf after an introduction by Nancy. More on the awards:

http://nancykress.blogspot.com/2011/...l-of-fame.html

[Rodders]

I must confess that i know very little of Harlan's work outside of Star Trek, Babylon 5 and the courtcase regarding the Terminator. I am intrigued though.

[JustPassingThrough]

I think Harlan is a bit like Muhamed Ali. Both are quite good. Really good. Damn good. However, I also think that their boasting helped them a lot in getting into the minds of people. And I say that as a enjoyer of Mr. Ellison. Deathbird is something that can only be experienced in one's life.

Speaking of Soldier, I just recorded it the other night and am going to watch it. Had never seen it before.

[J-Sun]

Sorry if this is a bit off-topic but I wanted to post it and don't think it really merits its own thread.

Harlan Ellison Drops His Lawsuit Against 'In Time'

That is probably one of the most damaging things to his reputation that he does. Even worse when it's shown to be frivolous or motivated only by prestige/profit rather than principle. But I suppose his published stories will outlive the memory of his litigiousness.

Or maybe not, if the idea that he is a legal brief fetishist and occasional scribbler sticks. Ow.