Review of "Best Science Fiction Stories of Clifford D. Simak," by Clifford D. Simak

 Review of

Best Science Fiction Stories of Clifford D. Simak, by Clifford D. Simak

Five out of five stars

Stories of intelligence about what might be

 When great science fiction writers are mentioned, Clifford D. Simak is often and unfortunately relegated to an asterisk or footnote. I have always been very impressed by his writing and as the title implies, this book contains his best. The stories in the collection are:

*) Founding Father

*) Immigrant

*) New Folks’ Home

 *) Crying Jag

*) All the Traps on Earth

*) Lulu

*) Neighbor

My favorite is “Neighbor”, as story about a simple farming community in the eastern United States where a new family called the Heath’s move into an empty and neglected farm. In true rural tradition the Heath’s stick to their business and remake the farm into a model. Their crops grow well and they raise a large vegetable garden that contains some types of vegetables never seen before.

 Other odd things start happening, the weather starts to be ideal, with rain coming right when it is needed and never too much. The people start getting and staying healthier and this draws the attention of the government. Being farmers, the other people are dubious and use their natural insular nature to protect their “new” and now cherished neighbors. It is a simple and basic story about acceptance.

 Simak is truly one of the lesser masters of science fiction in the 1950’s and these stories demonstrate that fact. They are clean, have some depth of substance and have aged very well.