The Best of Lester del Rey


The Best of Lester del Rey is a collection of science fiction short stories by American author Lester del Rey. It was first published in paperback by Del Rey/Ballantine in September 1978 as a volume in its Classic Library of Science Fiction, with a Science Fiction Book Club hardcover edition following in December of the same year. It was reprinted by Del Rey Books in March 1986, February 1995, and June 2000. The book has been translated into German.

Summary

The book contains sixteen short works of fiction and an afterword by the author, together with an introduction by Frederik Pohl.

Contents

  • "The Magnificent"
  • "Helen O'Loy"
  • "The Day Is Done"
  • "The Coppersmith"
  • "Hereafter, Inc."
  • "The Wings of Night"
  • "Into Thy Hands"
  • "And It Comes Out Here"
  • "The Monster"
  • "The Years Draw Nigh"
  • "Instinct"
  • "Superstition"
  • "For I Am a Jealous People!"
  • "The Keepers of the House"
  • "Little Jimmy"
  • "The Seat of Judgment"
  • "Vengeance Is Mine"
  • "Author's Afterword"

Reception

The book was reviewed by Algis Budrys in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, March 1979, Brian Stableford in Paperback Parlour, December 1979, Vernon Hyles in Fantasy Review, May 1986, and Peter Heck in Asimov's Science Fiction, January 2001.

Awards

"Helen O'Loy" was nominated for the 1939 Retro Hugo Award for Best Short Story in 2014. "Into Thy Hands" was nominated for the 1946 Retro Hugo Award for Best Short Story in 1996.