We biked to the Kolaport today because the weather is gorgeous. In the course of browsing, I found a booth that was selling off someone’s entire collection of science fiction. 500 kronur for seven books. I managed to limit myself to seven, which was not easy.
I now have first printings of:
The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester, which was originally 35 cents.
The Planet Buyer by Cordwainer Smith, which is billed as “Something New in Science-Fiction!”
Falling Free Lois McMaster Bujold
Some Will Not Die by Algis Budrys
I also picked up three books just for fun. The Big Book of Science Fiction, Stories of Detection and Mystery, and one genuinely pulpy novel, Danger Planet by Brett Sterling.
The cover copy on Danger Planet is priceless.
Introducing Captain Future
ONE STRONG MAN BATTLING THE GALAXIES OF EVIL
On the back it says:
One million years back in the swirling, shrouded past, evil ultra-beings ruled Planet Roo. Suddenly, unbelievably, they are alive again, threatening the universe with total destruction.
Only one man dares challenge the Evil Ones. He is Captain Future, inter-galactic agent of justice, whose identity is top secret, whose strength is ultimate. He sets out alone to stop the deathless menace creeping ever closer. . .
Could you leave that on the table? I sure couldn’t.
Wow, that cover copy is so pulpy I’m chewing on it from here.
I’m reading The Stars My Destination for the very first time right now.
Oh, Jason, you are in for a treat. The Stars My Destination is a classic with good reason.
So, I just started Chapter 1 (Seven Against A World) of Danger Planet and had to share the opening sentence.
sounds like a great haul! I would not have been able to limit myself to 7, so admire your restraint.
It was not easy. I’m also a little disappointed because I just found out that Danger Planet was awarded a Retro Hugo, so it’s must not be as pulpy as I thought. But it’s got a Planet Patrol!
Wow! What a great collection. And you are greater than I — I would have bought as many as I thought I could cart away…
Danger Planet sounds fabulous! Kind of a bummer about the Retro Hugo, though. A little pulp sometimes is always good for one’s reading diet.
It helped that I only had 500 kronur.
What is kolaport and does Rob have his real bike yet?
The kolaport is the fleamarket here. It’s either written the koloport or kolaportið.
Rob’s motorcycle should be arriving in a couple of weeks. We think.
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