HARLAN ELLISON: BEST SCIENCE FICTION SHORT STORIES EVER? 'The Beast That Shouted Love...' 

I've just removed an offensively toned comment here from someone making an issue out of my statement that I haven't sold a copy of 'The Beast That Shouted..' (except a handful of copies of recent PD editions) in 38 years and that I need to learn how to sell it: they clearly don't understand that I'm a trade bookseller of new books (which of course create royalty payments for authors) rather than a second-hand (or 'vintage') bookseller. Because 'Beast' has not been in print in the UK for forty years plus, it's not been possible for a 'real bookseller' like me to obtain stock to sell it. So if you see this post, rude commentator, consider yourself corrected - I don't have to put up with ignorance (in both senses) in this space, as it's my venue and you clearly know nothing about bookselling...

In 1990 I paid $75 to select the letter "R" for Harlan Ellison's "From A to Z, in the Sarsaparilla Alphabet", all typed at the Dangerous Visions Bookstore in Sherman Oaks, California. My request was for the word "Raven" and the rest is history. Every time I met Harlan or his wife Susan, I simply had to say, "R is For Raven!". The stories were finally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in 2001.

I almost never comment on anything, but Ellison still compels my attention (and I really like this channel). My two favorite Ellison stories (and I’ve certainly not read everything he wrote) are Pretty Maggie Moneyeyes, which was published in a men's magazine, Knight, in 1967, and Pennies, Off a Dead Man's Eyes, which appeared in Galaxy in 1968. I've reread both these stories recently, as a guy in his late sixties and far removed from the teenager who read them initially, and if anything they are better than I remember. Really just gems of the short form. Neither of these stories won awards, though each was nominated for at least one. Other favorites did win awards, such as A Boy and His Dog and I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream. I will never forget the day I discovered Ellison. I was an eleven-year-old, rummaging through a box of used paperbacks on my Uncle Bill's porch in small-town Oklahoma, looking for something to read and looking also for solace from a recent move that had lifted me out of the relatively civilized environs of Fairfax County, VA, and deposited me onto the Medieval landscape of small-town Oklahoma. This was 1967. I remember turning over one book after another, putting aside those that looked of interest (exclusively fantasy and SF titles as I recall). At some point, I uncovered the first printing of Ellison’s short story collection, I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream, published as a paperback original by Pyramid. I read the title, and simply reading the title elicited an actual physical response in me, a chill, a literal tingling sensation, right down my spine. I’ll never forget it. Later, years later, upon reflection, I think that perhaps that title, for all it said and implied, spoke directly to the heart of what I felt at that dreadful time in my life but had no words of my own to express. I took the book home, along with many others, and I’ve been an Ellison fan ever since. About seven years later, I went to the one and only major SF convention I’ve ever been to, Discon II, the 1974 world con, which was held in Washington, DC. (We’d moved back to Fairfax County by then and left the Middle Ages behind. Good riddance.) I spent most of my time hanging out with friends in various rooms in the hotel, or haunting the dealers’ room, but I did attend the raucous “debate” featuring Ellison himself and Isaac Asimov one morning, and then later in the con I was there for the debut of the film version of Ellison’s A Boy and His Dog. Ellison and an actor/producer named Alvy Moore (of TV’s Green Acres fame) introduced the film, which Ellison explained was a “rough cut” and lacked a score, but had these marks every so often on the film stock, timing marks of some kind, that Ellison said the composer would use when writing the background music for the film. It was a memorable evening. This is not to say that I have nothing but praise for Ellison’s work overall. (And this paragraph, its inclusion here as a kind of coda, was largely triggered by something Stephen Andrews himself said regarding Christopher Priest’s less than flattering opinion of Ellison’s contributions to the field.) A fair number of Ellison’s stories, especially but not exclusively those from early in his career, were strictly potboilers, and largely undistinguished. At least one of Ellison’s award winners strikes me as over-wrought and pretentious, and that story was actually published at the height of Ellison’s popularity. To this day, I wonder if it would ever have seen print if not for Ellison’s byline below the title. As others have noted, Ellison benefited greatly from his own talent for self-promotion and his natural showmanship. But to that I can only add, good for him. I saw him in action twice and he was fun to watch. And his 1967 short story collection, I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream, extended a much-needed lifeline to the eleven-year-old I was at the time, and I’ll always be grateful for that.

Wonderful video as usual. I've been around SF since 1962 but I've learned so much from you. I've been an Ellison disciple since the early 70s - read everything and what a writer. I was lucky enough to meet him when he came to London in 1976 to promote two of his Millington hardcovers. I approached him with some trepidation having read about some of his run ins with US fans but he was nothing but gracious and polite to me. In fact he signed a whole casebook of books, which I had brought more in hope than expectation, and had a wonderful 20 minute conversation with him about his work. Anyway keep up the sterling work - especially the book hauls that I find most educational.

Ellison caused my head to explode when I bought a Signet 1974, 10th printing PB edition of this anthology. I recall how uncomfortable he made the reader, and never quite resolved all the conflicting elements to my complete satisfaction. I found this refreshing, having weaned myself on the 1950's stories from the so called titans of that era. Quick note: my version has a couple/few more stories, which you've no doubt seen in other places: Along The Scenic Route, The Place With No Name and, Shattered Like A Glass Goblin. Thanks so much for posting, I've added this to my winter reading list. I really enjoy your channel OB! Cheers.

Great video. Thanks for making it. I met Ellison briefly at a convention twenty-ish years back. He was a tiny, tightly packed, ball of energy. Constantly on the move. He told me my artwork reminded him of the great DC artist Ramona Fradon. I'll take that all day, every day! :)

A Boy and His Dog is a masterpiece. The whole book is. Ellison rules.

I read “I have No Mouth and Must Scream” probably 40 years ago. Not for everyone.

Geez mate! I'm still trying to finish the bookshelf tour! And I've GOT to focus on your Ellison!

It’s a great (though sadly predictable) irony that Ellison is probably best-remembered at the present time for writing a script that was rewritten to his great dissatisfaction, for a television series he largely despised.

Speaking of influences on "The Terminator", check out Philp K Dick's story "Second Variety", which was published in 1953

my favorite science fiction collection ever. I purchased it quite young by accident. I'll be 60 this year, and this remains the best collection I ever had.

My introduction to Ellison came in the form of a paperback of Shatterday. My mother collected a load of paperbacks for a jumble sale in the early 80s. The cover and the name just sunk a hook into my teenaged head and started reading it. One of the best decisions I have made in my life. It sparked a journey of discovery that has lasted all my life. I’ve tried to track down as much of Ellisons work as I can and continue to do so. Likewise I never met him and only had the opportunity to communicate with him via his website, but from that I have two signed books which have become treasures in my library. I came close to meeting him only once when he was slated to be guest of honour at Albacon 94 I believe, but sadly he was unable to attend due to health reasons. His impact on the genre of science fiction and culture is massive, and I will forever be grateful for his works.

Fantastic video, Stephen, keeping awareness of Ellison’s greatness alive is a vital thing for SF as an institution. Harlan was an excellent presenter/reader of his works, too, a real showman. I have “On the Road” and “Run for the Stars” as read by him and I recommend them, they’re fabulous. Finally, I’m relived I do have a hardback US Edition of “The Beast…” that I picked up in mint condition for a few bucks in the 80s. Now I feel like I need to go dig it out out of storage. I really do appreciate your love for things like this, thanks.

As a young British fan of Ellison its very frustrating to me that we will probably never get any editions of his books in physical print and that he isn't as well known as he should be. That said, he isn't as unknown to some as one might think, among horror video game fans, the game adaptation of I have no mouth has put him on the map to some people who otherwise would have never heard of him. Although because of that, its propelled that work into a position were it overshadows some of his best stuff, which is a shame, since while I like I have no mouth, I don't think it compares to some of his other stories. Great video as usual!

Ellisons nonfiction is well worth a gander .

This video should have way more views. It's great coverage of who is today a very underrated writer and this seems like a must have collection for fans of any speculative fiction. I was blown away by his most famous story, when I got to the end and there's the title as the last sentence, and it wasn't gimmicky at all, it works so well as both title/intro and conclusion. The anecdotes about Ellison are very interesting too.

I was introduced to this book from the final episode of the anime, Neon Genesis Evangelion, titled “The Beast That Shouted I at the Heart of the World”, thought it had to be a reference to some sort of poem or another type of media. Turns out it was a book! I was excited about it until I read the first short story, I have never been more confused in my life. Regardless I want to come back to it. So thank you for making this video!

Great Video. I am one of those rare people under 50 who know and revere Ellisons work (born in '88). In high school I made a "coffee and cigarettes" friend with the father of a school friend. He introduced me to many great writers, but Ellison was the one I had the most instant and enduring affinity for. I am always encouraging people to read him. I feel that for contemporary audiences his work is hard to get into though. That his talent was as a short story writer and essayist, the stylistic and tonal differences of his works when placed right next to one another, many readers distaste for prefaces and so called ansiliary material, and that temperament that he couldn't help put right in the work... He seems to be much easier for people who can relate to contempt and outrage and take it for granted that humanity is at the core of it. And despite his distaste for Fandom, I think he is a writer for people like myself, people who do want to "go to bed" with the artists who's work they admire, to learn what it is that they love and hate and where they came from. For me, it was the Deathbird and I Have No Mouth... Those stories I cannot help but come back to at least a couple times a year. It's difficult to write stories that are poisonously bleak and provide sufficient antidote. I would suggest McCarthys "The Road" is an example of how even great prose writers so often fail at this.

I've managed to find Paingod and other delusions. Thw general theme is about rejection if the establishment of the struggles and challenges of the individual against corrupt authorities. A recurring them in many of his stories. Just beautiful.

Ellison was actually the very first speculative fiction author I discovered as a teenager back in the 70's, and to this day I own more of his books (including this one) than any other author I've discovered since. Picking a favorite story is like trying to pick my favorite Jethro Tull or Pink Floyd song. There are so many good ones it just depends on my mood. I do recall that my first favorite was "Deathbird".

Thanks for this. I'm about your age (62 in 2024 from UK) and I was a big fan of Ellison coming from the Marvel comics fascination with the US and its' culture. I have all those books (and more) upstairs in the attic and went and got the yellow Pan copy immediately. Thanks for such a detailed summary for reminding me of this. I wound up living in the US and teaching media history, so this stuff had its effect on me, especially the Glass Teat criticisms and his polemics against 60's and 70's comics. Cheers.

Fantastic overview. 'The Beast...' is my favourite Ellison story and an all-time favourite.

I see A Lit Fuse in the background, about Ellison's life. Have you read it?

Discovered Ellison last year through audiobooks, really enjoyed them. But havent seen any copies in any shops I have visited.

Thanks for this! I know bugger all about Ellison, except that he wrote he some film/tv stories that were well thought of. I’m familiar with PKD’s short stories and love the form, so HE should be right up my alley. I’ve been wondering where to start and happened across this post. I have ME and my concentration is shot, so it’s audio books for me, I’m afraid. I’ve just found a bunch, so will pick through those based on what you’ve recommended. I’ve subscribed in hope of learning more. I seem to share some of your likes and dislikes (based on what you say here) and steer clear of space opera and the increasingly lengthy door stops that are produced these days. Thanks again, and I’ll rifle through your videos for some inspiration!

Greatly enjoyed your overview of Ellison and look forward eagerly to more of the same . I got a book club edition of his “Approaching Oblivion “ collection way back in the day but was too young to fully appreciate what he was doing. I’ve since found paperbacks of some of his nonfiction books like Purgatory and his two volume collection of television criticism, The Glass Teat. Great video.

Finally got my hands on a nice copy of The beast that shouted love At the heart of the world.Taken me a while to find a decent copy that didn’t cost the earth but good things come to he who waits . 😁👍🏻

Wow, I just read Ellison's introduction to this collection and got goosebumps. If the stories it contains are half as good as the intro, I am in for a real treat.

Best thing about you Steve is you talk about books that inspire you and by default they are way off the mainstream. Too many booktube channels just follow convention, one channel highlights a book then before you know it all channels within SF and Fantasy are talking about the same thing and it becomes slightly tedious. Keep up the good work 👏

Your knowledge of science fiction is amazing Stephen, i've just ordered this book after watching this episode, yet again thank you!

i found a hard back, book club edition here in the uk yesterday. read three stories and needed to jump on youtube to see if i was not alone!. very informative video Steve thanks

This is great stuff Steve to find out Ellison’s background and what’s worth reading. Just did a search for this on eBay and Abe and no luck (yet). You’re firing up my enthusiasm for SF big time…

Only the UK editions of the collection contain 12 stories: the American editions all contain 15, including all those published before your beloved Pan paperback. I have a gorgeous mint copy edition of the Bluejay edition from 1984 with the wonderful Barclay Shaw cover. Have all the Barclay Shaw editions - those were the last time Ellison's book looked good and, sadly, were widely availablity in paperback. Your fellow 50 year old skiffy geek from Scotland!

"There was no singing and dancing." Quite funny. My coffee almost shot out my nose at that one!😂😂😂

I always cringe when I hear such insupportable comments as "the best SF short story collection ever", because... well, you can guess why! But I share your enthusiasm for his writing. On my only encounter with him, in London years ago, he was charming, helpful and generous with his time.

The first collection of Ellison I read was the '62 US paperback : "Earthman, Go Home!" His is bumper collection of collaborative SF, : "Partners in Wonder", was good as well, which featured his SF efforts with writers such as Sheckley, Sturgeon, Bloch, Zelazny, & many others. My favorite all-time story by Ellison was the novella "Mephisto in Onyx", which is found in his last collection : "Slippage", but there are countless stories by him which hit the mark if I'm to be honest.

I had my first exposure to Harlan Ellison recently. I read "Repent Harliquin! Said The Ticktock Man" , part of the anthology "Masterpieces: The Best Science Fiction Of The Twentieth Century", edited by Orson Scott Card. It was one of the top SF stories I've ever read with a unique writing style not found in any other SF writing. It made me think about what would happen if George Orwell, Philip K Dick, and Jack Kerouac ate psilocybin mushrooms together and decided to collaborate on a short story.

I discovered Ellison (and other sci-fi authors) in 1971, in Jr High School (Kensington, Maryland, USA). The school Librarian must have been a sci-fi fan -because the collection was pretty amazing. The book was an anthology titled Alone Against Tomorrow : stories of alienation. I remember that one of the stories was Are You Listening. I was blown away by the stories and I've been an Ellison fan ever since.

The movie, A Boy & His Dog, is great fun. Love it.

You're a gentleman and a scholar. I've read Shatterday and Strange Wine, Dangerous Visions and other stories anthologised in various collections; but this volume is hard to come by in print. There is an audiobook version, narrated by Angelo Di Loreto, on Audible.

I have the '74 Signet with the amazing cover. Ellison was a genius.

Memo From Purgatory was done as an Alfred Hitchcock episode with James Caan in the lead. It was pretty good.

Interesting video. I’ve been a fan of Ellison’s for 30+ years and I’m prepping two videos next year about him for my channel. I have already done a review of Boy and His Dog on my channel. My favourite story of his is Repent Harlequin said the Ticktockman but there are so many great ones.

A Boy and His Dog was used as a fine example of expressionist literature at university level, at least during the 80s. I'm not sure the average English Lit prof would go near it these days though. And you are right about the animal on the cover looking more like a cat. Some of the SF cover art was truly dreadful in that era and I don't think the writers had much control over it. Certainly I've heard Silverberg make that complaint.

Heinlein on Ellison This is clearly not a book to read to the children to put them to sleep at night; this stuff is raw corn liquor - you should serve a whiskeybroom with each shot so that the customer can brush the sawdust off after he gets up from the floor. - Letter to the Author, from Paingod and Other Delusions

I was introduced to Harlan Ellison in 1974 with his Deathbird Stories collection. I fell in love with his writing and read everything by him I could get my hands on. It was him who taught me that reading the author's Foreword was a good thing. My absolute favorite story of his is from Strange Wine - Hitler Painted Roses. Magnificent use of the language! There'll never be another like him.

I wanted to mention Blood's A Rover: The Complete Adventures Of A Boy And His Dog, edited by Jason Davis, dedicated to Michael Moorcock. TOC: Over the Hill by Jason Davis, Eggsucker, This Is A Conversation That Happened On A Wednesday Night, A Boy And His Dog, Run, Spot, Run, Blood's A Rover, Richard Corben, Story Commentary: 1981-2003 I have the Pan edition you showed in your video which is the version I read of A Boy And His Dog, but I haven't read the edition I mentioned above with its supplementary material.

That "Damp Apartment" as you put it is the FABULOUS "Bradbury Building" in LA and you can (uncharacteristically) enjoy it clean and sunlit in the Jack Nicholson "Wolf" movie. (In which the show is stolen IMHO by David Hyde Pierce.)

Love these kinds of videos. Had to go for an audiobook version of TBTSLATHOTW. How's that for an acronym! 😀. Great video, I learned a lot as usual - much appreciated. Cheers.

I always thought James Tiptree Jr was a great short story writer also.

I concur with your views on Ellison,and this collection in particular.but most of his work seems to be out of print,or if available seem to command high prices,I have a Copy of 'The beast' in edgeworks 4,and have been trying to find a Stand alone copy for a while,but to no avail,having tried all the major SF bookshops.

There is something about the short story, isn't there... they don't always give you everything, many of the good and great short stories leave one with the vast landscape, or tapestry, or canvas... leaving the reader to fill in the blanks, if any, leaving the reader to imagine the multitude of possibilities to take it further perhaps...

Hey thanks for making this video! A retiring professor at my university was giving away books to students and I got a hold of a 1969 Avon edition of the collection for free! I did notice that the US edition had 3 additional stories in it that the Pan edition didn’t have despite the Pan edition coming out in 1979. Along The Scenic Route Shattered like a glass goblin White on White What are your thoughts on these additional three stories if you have covered them? I’m curious to read them but I’m unsure if I should leave them for last when I read the collection.

Stopped this great video mid-way and dug up A Boy and His Dog. Great story. You set expectations very high but I was not disappointed. Loved Blood! "You're acting like a damn poodle". So many great lines. "I tell you, I can smell her. She's in here, man." These dogs, what a concept, the kind of novel idea you talk about being the soul of the genre? This stuff is mind-expanding and refreshingly "incorrect" but it had to be to tell the truth. Funny how we have to go back to find art so free and truly progressive. Sadly, I suspect we'll never see the like again, not with the thought police hoovering over the cancel button. I can say that, being anonymous, and I know you would like to. This is coming from an old hippie Yank who voted for Obama twice and, well, enough said, I guess. I don't know, but you would, could this or Clockwork Orange be written today?

Jeffty is Five...

Can I get a copy of dangerous visions from you?

A brilliant collection. “Worlds to Kill” is one of the best SF stories I’ve ever read. I do have to say though that a couple do fall flat for me, in particular the “Santa Claus vs S.P.I.D.E.R” novelette, which I didn’t find amusing, as well as being very dated.

Never was able and still cant get my hands on much Ellison . I do have ' Gentleman Junkie ' , ' I Have No Mouth & I Must Scream ' and ' Love Aint Nothing But Sex Misspelled ' love them all . But truth be told my first Ellison short story was ' "Repent Harlequin " Said The Ticktockman ' . A good place for me .Had i read ABAHD first i might have said no . Ellison wrote one of if not the best Star Trek stories . Ps ABAHD 👍. Nuff said

Hi. Looking to BUY that very book. Can we chat?

So Sorry: Nick Turner has left the Continuum.

anyway we can talk?

Ellison was great as a writer. I've read a good bit of it, but not this collection

I prefer Ray Bradbury--he has better ideas.

Beast sounds just like Trump and what media said we had to love

I really like "Story Time with Uncle Steve." Pick a book & give us background and a few more readings. Heck I'd like more Ellison readings. we're baby birds boyo, get the dropper and feed us!