''Love Not Human'' is a collection of science fiction stories by
Gordon R. Dickson
Gordon Rupert Dickson (November 1, 1923 – January 31, 2001) was an American science fiction writer. He was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 2000.
Biography
Dickson was born in Edmonton, Alberta, in 1923 ...
. It was first published by
Ace Books
Ace Books is a publisher of science fiction (SF) and fantasy books founded in New York City in 1952 by A. A. Wyn, Aaron A. Wyn. It began as a genre publisher of mystery fiction, mysteries and western (genre), westerns, and soon branched out int ...
in 1981. Most of the stories originally appeared in the magazines ''
Galaxy Science Fiction
''Galaxy Science Fiction'' was an American digest-size science fiction magazine, published in Boston from 1950 to 1980. It was founded by a French-Italian company, World Editions, which was looking to break into the American market. World Edi ...
'', ''
Startling Stories
''Startling Stories'' was an American pulp science fiction magazine, published from 1939 to 1955 by publisher Ned Pines' Standard Magazines. It was initially edited by Mort Weisinger, who was also the editor of '' Thrilling Wonder Stories ...
'', ''
Fantastic
Fantastic or Fantastik may refer to:
Music
* ''Fantastic'' (Toy-Box album)
* ''Fantastic'' (Wham! album)
* '' Fan-Tas-Tic (Vol. 1)'', an album by Slum Village
* '' Fantastic, Vol. 2'', an album by Slum Village
* ''Fantastic'' (EP), an EP by ...
'', ''
Fantasy and Science Fiction
''The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction'' (usually referred to as ''F&SF'') is a U.S. fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that involves supernatural or Magic (supernatural), magical elements, often including Fictional un ...
'', ''Universe'', ''
Analog Science Fiction and Fact
''Analog Science Fiction and Fact'' is an American science fiction magazine published under various titles since 1930. Originally titled ''Astounding Stories of Super-Science'', the first issue was dated January 1930, published by William Cla ...
'' and ''
Amazing Stories
''Amazing Stories'' is an American science fiction magazine launched in April 1926 by Hugo Gernsback's Experimenter Publishing. It was the first magazine devoted solely to science fiction. Science fiction stories had made regular appearance ...
''.
Contents
* "Black Charlie"
* "Moon, June, Spoon, Croon"
* "The Summer Visitors"
* "Listen"
* "Graveyard"
* "Fido"
* "The Breaking of Jerry McCloud"
* "Love Me True"
* "The Christmas Present"
* "It Hardly Seems Fair"
* "The Monster and the Maiden"
Plot Summaries
"Black Charlie":
An art critic believes he knows what is "art" and what isn't. But when a stranger shows up with a box of figurines, he agrees to meet the artist, who known only as Black Charlie. But when the search for the mysterious artist leads into the swamps of a young planet, he discovers just what it truly means to be called an artist.
"Moon, June, Spoon, Croon":
An edmic computer discovers he is the only one of his kind, and finds he is "alone-ly". Not able to accept that, he subsequently searches for a partner.
"The Summer Visitors":
After a boy climbs a cliff to escape local bullies, he encounters Olympians who teach him courage, wisdom, and humility.
"Listen":
On what appears a typical day, four-year-old Taddy goes on an outing with his guardian, Reru—and discovers how everything in his world is truly interconnected.
"Graveyard":
A blind boy deals with having a mental link with a dog.
"Fido":
The crew of an exploratory spaceship encounters something that raises intelligence in humans and animals alike.
"The Breaking of Jerry McCloud":
A man is torn between losing the woman he loves and his stubborn refusal to compromise. When he goes on a last desperate gamble on a hunt for the elusive Skem, he encounters a whole new perspective on the dynamics of relationships.
"The Christmas Present":
A little boy celebrates Christmas with a gift to his friend Harvey, a swamp-dwelling alien jellyfish. Harvey does not understand, but resolves to give a present in return; the only one he knows how to give.
"The Monster and the Maiden":
In Loch Ness, the Clan has only four surviving members. When the Youngest encounters an injured diver, she resolves to help him; and challenge an ancient taboo against contact with humans.
References
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*{{Cite web
, title = Internet Speculative Fiction Database Title
, publisher =
, url = http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?29485
, format =
1981 short story collections
Short story collections by Gordon R. Dickson
Ace Books books