Approaching Oblivion by Harlan Ellison ➤ Walker and Company 1974 Book Club Edition [E47] 6400

Approaching Oblivion by Harlan Ellison Walker and Company 1974 Book Club Edition

Title: Approaching Oblivion

Author: Harlan Ellison

Format: Hardcover

Publisher: Walker and Company 1974

Edition: Book Club Edition [E47] 6400

ISBN: 9780802755414

Size: 5.75 x 8.5 * 184 pages

Synopsis: From the jacket: The most honored (and the most controversial) writer in the field of imaginative literature is at the peak of his volcanic form in these eleven previously uncollected stories that (if they don't rip aside, at least) pull back for a disturbing view the veil separating us from our possible futures. These are stories of odd delusions, wry fantasms, terrifying glimpses of where we're going, individually and as a species... stories that sound a cautionary note about the foolhardiness of Humanity tinkering with a Universe that, up till now at least, has been content to let us survive here on this infinitesimal dust-mote... as long as we don't get too smart for our own good.

Harlan Ellison's work has been called "relentlessly honest" (New York Times), "unforgettable in its impact" (Chicago Tribune). In New Worlds, critic John Clute says Ellison writes a "high- pitched burning-bush prose [that] does rather burn the bush to the ground." The fires Ellison sets with these eleven stories range from the ultimate futuristic sexual experience to the terrible and oddly poetic fate that befalls a man who programs the deaths of entire worlds, to the apocryphal saga of the very last student militant in a nation of universities that have become armed camps. There's also the uproarious Yiddish science fiction story "I'm Looking for Kadak" and the touching "One Life, Furnished in Early Poverty" that seems to tie in closely with the author's memories of his own childhood dread visions that populate the peculiar world of Harlan Ellison, but also the five Hugo trophies, two Nebula awards, two special awards of the World SF Convention and three Writers Guild of America plaques for Most Outstanding Teleplay that have won for Ellison the undisputed title of the most honored writer in the field of imaginative literature. Well, perhaps slightly disputed: by Asimov, Anderson, Heinlein, Leiber and Silverberg. But even disputants like Asimov talk about the remarkable Ellison in this way: "If he were to pile his Hugos one on top of the other, the heap would be taller and heavier than he is. Why should all these Hugos be? There are a variety of theories that include multiple voting, blackmail, bribed judges and so on. Well, yes, but in addition to all that, Harlan also happens to be a very talented writer. He's one of us boys who has made it in the big world outside there and I'm proud of him. I glory in his bravery. Right or wrong, he speaks his mind, calls them as he sees them, regardless of consequences."
Harlan Ellison is the author of 25 books (and editor of the landmark Dangerous Visions anthologies). He has written movies and television, created a series called The Starlost and walked away from $93,000 in profits when the producers departed from his original conception. He has written a TV column called "The Glass Teat" for the underground press that won him a slot on Ronald Reagan's subversive enemies list, gone on tour with The Rolling Stones and Three Dog Night, raced cars, joined kid gangs to write about delinquency with authenticity, and at age 40 seems no older than when he was 20. But his portrait is aging.

Overall Condition: Very good: The book does not look new and has been read but is in excellent condition. There is no obvious damage to the cover the dust jacket (with minor wear and tear) is included. There are no missing or damaged pages, no creases or tears, and no underlining/highlighting of text or writing in the margins. It may have very minimal identifying marks on the inside cover as well as very minimal wear and tear. See images.

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