Just watched "Dreams with Sharp Teeth" and am looking for recommendations

GabrielNovo · 12-28-2012, 08:55 PM

I hate to admit this, but I was previously unaware of the scope of Harlan Ellison's writing. I knew him more as a cantankerous personality. After watching his documentary "Dreams with Sharp Teeth", I became fascinated by the man.

Since I'm new to his work, what would be a good book to start with? There are so many compilations of his stories that I'm not sure what's considered his top stuff or starting material for the new reader.

Thanks in advance for your help.

jjdebenedictis · 12-29-2012, 04:10 AM

I actually think his short stories are the best place to start. See if you can find an anthology of them in your local library. I don't usually go for short stories over novels, but wow, some of his are just riveting.

GabrielNovo · 12-29-2012, 08:17 PM

JJ, that's the problem, he has SEVERAL compilations of short stories and I'm not sure where to start.

jjdebenedictis · 12-30-2012, 12:56 AM

Find something that has "I Have No Voice and I Must Scream" and don't worry about it. He doesn't write very much that's bad.

Blarg · 12-31-2012, 02:23 AM

I'm also a big fan of "Like the Whimper of Whipped Dogs." He's done so many things, including good TV work in the old series like The Outer Limits and The New Twilight Zone and Star Trek. Great to get those episodes on hard disc and listen to commentaries, if possible.

I lost a wonderful book in a move that I sure wish I still had, because people are charging a lot for it these days. No idea why it went out of print, because it was pretty much perfect for what it did: The Essential Ellison. A big fat book full of stories from all phases of his career. Huge book, really. If you ever see it going for cheap, snap it up. Ridiculous that it was only available for a few years and then vanished from the marketplace.

12-28-2012, 08:55 PM	#1
GabrielNovo Cuban Nomad Join Date: May 2009 Location: Up in the Air Posts: 291	Just watched "Dreams with Sharp Teeth" and am looking for recommendations I hate to admit this, but I was previously unaware of the scope of Harlan Ellison's writing. I knew him more as a cantankerous personality. After watching his documentary "Dreams with Sharp Teeth", I became fascinated by the man. Since I'm new to his work, what would be a good book to start with? There are so many compilations of his stories that I'm not sure what's considered his top stuff or starting material for the new reader. Thanks in advance for your help. __________________ ´¯`°¤.¸.¤.¸.¤.¸.¤°´¯` Cuban Nomad - Computer Nerd by Day, Writer by Night Haven Publishing - Publisher of niche genre books, kid's books, and comics Follow me on Twitter Member since 2011

12-29-2012, 04:10 AM	#2
jjdebenedictis is watching you via her avatar Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 3,132	I actually think his short stories are the best place to start. See if you can find an anthology of them in your local library. I don't usually go for short stories over novels, but wow, some of his are just riveting. __________________ Twitter: jjdebenedictis GoodReads: jj-debenedictis

12-29-2012, 08:17 PM	#3
GabrielNovo Cuban Nomad Join Date: May 2009 Location: Up in the Air Posts: 291	JJ, that's the problem, he has SEVERAL compilations of short stories and I'm not sure where to start. __________________ ´¯`°¤.¸.¤.¸.¤.¸.¤°´¯` Cuban Nomad - Computer Nerd by Day, Writer by Night Haven Publishing - Publisher of niche genre books, kid's books, and comics Follow me on Twitter Member since 2011

12-30-2012, 12:56 AM	#4
jjdebenedictis is watching you via her avatar Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 3,132	Find something that has "I Have No Voice and I Must Scream" and don't worry about it. He doesn't write very much that's bad. __________________ Twitter: jjdebenedictis GoodReads: jj-debenedictis

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12-31-2012, 02:23 AM	#5
Blarg Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: 13th of never Posts: 2,497	I'm also a big fan of "Like the Whimper of Whipped Dogs." He's done so many things, including good TV work in the old series like The Outer Limits and The New Twilight Zone and Star Trek. Great to get those episodes on hard disc and listen to commentaries, if possible. I lost a wonderful book in a move that I sure wish I still had, because people are charging a lot for it these days. No idea why it went out of print, because it was pretty much perfect for what it did: The Essential Ellison. A big fat book full of stories from all phases of his career. Huge book, really. If you ever see it going for cheap, snap it up. Ridiculous that it was only available for a few years and then vanished from the marketplace.