Future Revisitations
@futurerevisited.bsky.social
Revisiting a love of classic SF last enjoyed several decades ago… and so now in the process of discovering many fine page-turners for the very first time. 📚
A weekend of short tales kicks off to a superb start with this pair from the Masterpieces & Hall of Fame volumes.
Merrill’s tale is a tightly realised reflection of the fears generated by the atomic era, whilst Crowley‘s ‘Snow’ was one of the most moving SF tales I’ve had the pleasure to discover.
Merrill’s tale is a tightly realised reflection of the fears generated by the atomic era, whilst Crowley‘s ‘Snow’ was one of the most moving SF tales I’ve had the pleasure to discover.
January 24, 2026 at 9:23 AM
A weekend of short tales kicks off to a superb start with this pair from the Masterpieces & Hall of Fame volumes.
Merrill’s tale is a tightly realised reflection of the fears generated by the atomic era, whilst Crowley‘s ‘Snow’ was one of the most moving SF tales I’ve had the pleasure to discover.
Merrill’s tale is a tightly realised reflection of the fears generated by the atomic era, whilst Crowley‘s ‘Snow’ was one of the most moving SF tales I’ve had the pleasure to discover.
Reposted by Future Revisitations
Today I'm joined by Adam Rowe (@70sscifiart.bsky.social) on the Best Retro Science Fiction Art Collections sciencefictionruminations.com/2026/01/19/e...
#scifi #sciencefiction #art #artist
#scifi #sciencefiction #art #artist
January 19, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Today I'm joined by Adam Rowe (@70sscifiart.bsky.social) on the Best Retro Science Fiction Art Collections sciencefictionruminations.com/2026/01/19/e...
#scifi #sciencefiction #art #artist
#scifi #sciencefiction #art #artist
They say reputations are rarely unfounded. Well, I’m halfway through ’The Demolished Man’ & I can easily see why this gem of a book left such a wideranging legacy.
I think it was fellow author Damon Knight who once said that Bester‘s stories ’never stand still‘ - and here I couldn’t agree more. 🙂
I think it was fellow author Damon Knight who once said that Bester‘s stories ’never stand still‘ - and here I couldn’t agree more. 🙂
January 17, 2026 at 12:30 PM
They say reputations are rarely unfounded. Well, I’m halfway through ’The Demolished Man’ & I can easily see why this gem of a book left such a wideranging legacy.
I think it was fellow author Damon Knight who once said that Bester‘s stories ’never stand still‘ - and here I couldn’t agree more. 🙂
I think it was fellow author Damon Knight who once said that Bester‘s stories ’never stand still‘ - and here I couldn’t agree more. 🙂
Celebrating Robert Silverberg, who is 91 today.
A tremendous body of work spanning several decades - much of which I‘ve yet to become familiar with (beyond the superb ’The Book of Skulls‘).
However, this also means there’s an absolute wealth of titles that’ll be a pleasure to finally discover… 🙂
A tremendous body of work spanning several decades - much of which I‘ve yet to become familiar with (beyond the superb ’The Book of Skulls‘).
However, this also means there’s an absolute wealth of titles that’ll be a pleasure to finally discover… 🙂
January 15, 2026 at 8:55 AM
Celebrating Robert Silverberg, who is 91 today.
A tremendous body of work spanning several decades - much of which I‘ve yet to become familiar with (beyond the superb ’The Book of Skulls‘).
However, this also means there’s an absolute wealth of titles that’ll be a pleasure to finally discover… 🙂
A tremendous body of work spanning several decades - much of which I‘ve yet to become familiar with (beyond the superb ’The Book of Skulls‘).
However, this also means there’s an absolute wealth of titles that’ll be a pleasure to finally discover… 🙂
How frequently evocative are the covers of the books I coveted as a youngster.
Here was one lost memory firmly recovered today when I saw this cover by Peter Elson (born OTD 1947). Just one glance brought everything back - the shop I bought it from (now long gone) & its bookshelf companions at home.
Here was one lost memory firmly recovered today when I saw this cover by Peter Elson (born OTD 1947). Just one glance brought everything back - the shop I bought it from (now long gone) & its bookshelf companions at home.
January 13, 2026 at 1:44 PM
How frequently evocative are the covers of the books I coveted as a youngster.
Here was one lost memory firmly recovered today when I saw this cover by Peter Elson (born OTD 1947). Just one glance brought everything back - the shop I bought it from (now long gone) & its bookshelf companions at home.
Here was one lost memory firmly recovered today when I saw this cover by Peter Elson (born OTD 1947). Just one glance brought everything back - the shop I bought it from (now long gone) & its bookshelf companions at home.
Embarked yesterday on this celebrated collection. The first tale, ‘Tower of Babylon’, is an absolute masterpiece, centred on the construction of a colossal tower in the ancient city designed to break through the ‘vault of heaven’.
An exceptional debut - no wonder it scooped a Nebula Award in 1990.
An exceptional debut - no wonder it scooped a Nebula Award in 1990.
January 12, 2026 at 10:37 AM
Embarked yesterday on this celebrated collection. The first tale, ‘Tower of Babylon’, is an absolute masterpiece, centred on the construction of a colossal tower in the ancient city designed to break through the ‘vault of heaven’.
An exceptional debut - no wonder it scooped a Nebula Award in 1990.
An exceptional debut - no wonder it scooped a Nebula Award in 1990.
Now up to Ballard’s ‘Passport to Eternity‘ in the ‘Complete Stories‘ tome, something of a playful pastiche of the more florid elements of ‘Pulp SF‘ (with various descriptive tropes gleefully lampooned).
Arguably ‘untypical‘ Ballard, but I’m enjoying the light & shade as I move through his work…
Arguably ‘untypical‘ Ballard, but I’m enjoying the light & shade as I move through his work…
January 10, 2026 at 12:20 PM
Now up to Ballard’s ‘Passport to Eternity‘ in the ‘Complete Stories‘ tome, something of a playful pastiche of the more florid elements of ‘Pulp SF‘ (with various descriptive tropes gleefully lampooned).
Arguably ‘untypical‘ Ballard, but I’m enjoying the light & shade as I move through his work…
Arguably ‘untypical‘ Ballard, but I’m enjoying the light & shade as I move through his work…
Reading PKD’s ‘Precious Artefact‘ today, prompting me to think that despite repeated key themes (such as the question of ‘what is real?’), he still found a variety of inventive ways to explore them.
And since a ‘cat‘ features as a pivotal feature of this 1964 story, this seemed a very apt photo! 🙂
And since a ‘cat‘ features as a pivotal feature of this 1964 story, this seemed a very apt photo! 🙂
January 9, 2026 at 12:26 PM
Reading PKD’s ‘Precious Artefact‘ today, prompting me to think that despite repeated key themes (such as the question of ‘what is real?’), he still found a variety of inventive ways to explore them.
And since a ‘cat‘ features as a pivotal feature of this 1964 story, this seemed a very apt photo! 🙂
And since a ‘cat‘ features as a pivotal feature of this 1964 story, this seemed a very apt photo! 🙂
Just when I think I’ve got the ‘measure‘ of the Pulp SF era I read a story that prompts me to think again.
This tale, in which two children accidentally come into possession of some objects from the future, is one such story - sharply written, enigmatic, & with an ending that is downright chilling.
This tale, in which two children accidentally come into possession of some objects from the future, is one such story - sharply written, enigmatic, & with an ending that is downright chilling.
January 8, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Just when I think I’ve got the ‘measure‘ of the Pulp SF era I read a story that prompts me to think again.
This tale, in which two children accidentally come into possession of some objects from the future, is one such story - sharply written, enigmatic, & with an ending that is downright chilling.
This tale, in which two children accidentally come into possession of some objects from the future, is one such story - sharply written, enigmatic, & with an ending that is downright chilling.
Finished Le Guin‘s ‘The Lathe of Heaven’ today. Such a captivating novel with which to begin the year - the type that a reader is likely to ponder on *long* after the closing pages (oh, & the final paragraph is beautifully crafted).
So a fine time to listen to this informed & animated discussion 👇
So a fine time to listen to this informed & animated discussion 👇
Lovelies, here's a shiny new episode of Starship Alexandria for you! @aptshadow.bsky.social and I discuss Ursula K. Le Guin's The Lathe of Heaven, recommend some music, and announce what next month's discussion will be about. Enjoy the blooper at the end too! starshipalexandria.com/episode-3-th...
Starship Alexandria: Episode 3 - The Lathe of Heaven
For our third episode of Starship Alexandra, Emma puts forward Ursula K le Guin’s fascinating SF novel The Lathe of Heaven for Adrian to read and consider. Other talking points: Rea...
starshipalexandria.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:35 AM
Finished Le Guin‘s ‘The Lathe of Heaven’ today. Such a captivating novel with which to begin the year - the type that a reader is likely to ponder on *long* after the closing pages (oh, & the final paragraph is beautifully crafted).
So a fine time to listen to this informed & animated discussion 👇
So a fine time to listen to this informed & animated discussion 👇
Embarked on Le Guin’s ’The Lathe of Heaven‘, which will happily see me into the New Year.
Beyond knowing it touches on territory usually associated with Philip K. Dick, I’m coming to this with very fresh eyes.
And by Chapter 2 things are taking very strange turns…
Suffice to say that I’m hooked 🙂
Beyond knowing it touches on territory usually associated with Philip K. Dick, I’m coming to this with very fresh eyes.
And by Chapter 2 things are taking very strange turns…
Suffice to say that I’m hooked 🙂
December 30, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Embarked on Le Guin’s ’The Lathe of Heaven‘, which will happily see me into the New Year.
Beyond knowing it touches on territory usually associated with Philip K. Dick, I’m coming to this with very fresh eyes.
And by Chapter 2 things are taking very strange turns…
Suffice to say that I’m hooked 🙂
Beyond knowing it touches on territory usually associated with Philip K. Dick, I’m coming to this with very fresh eyes.
And by Chapter 2 things are taking very strange turns…
Suffice to say that I’m hooked 🙂
The novels that made the greatest impact on this reader in 2025.
Try as I might, I gave up attempting a nice tight Top 5, though 8 was still a push! 🙂
Wells is top of the podium (with a book well over 125 years old), with Aldiss, Priest & Roberts not too far behind.
Oh it has been such a GOOD year 🙂
Try as I might, I gave up attempting a nice tight Top 5, though 8 was still a push! 🙂
Wells is top of the podium (with a book well over 125 years old), with Aldiss, Priest & Roberts not too far behind.
Oh it has been such a GOOD year 🙂
December 29, 2025 at 10:15 AM
The novels that made the greatest impact on this reader in 2025.
Try as I might, I gave up attempting a nice tight Top 5, though 8 was still a push! 🙂
Wells is top of the podium (with a book well over 125 years old), with Aldiss, Priest & Roberts not too far behind.
Oh it has been such a GOOD year 🙂
Try as I might, I gave up attempting a nice tight Top 5, though 8 was still a push! 🙂
Wells is top of the podium (with a book well over 125 years old), with Aldiss, Priest & Roberts not too far behind.
Oh it has been such a GOOD year 🙂
Squeezing in some shorter pieces before the year‘s end, including Asimov’s ‘The Bicentennial Man‘.
Ever since reading ‘The Caves of Steel’ I’ve harboured a fondness for his robot tales & I feel this ranks with the best of them.
A tightly told story, touching without resorting to sentimentality.
Ever since reading ‘The Caves of Steel’ I’ve harboured a fondness for his robot tales & I feel this ranks with the best of them.
A tightly told story, touching without resorting to sentimentality.
December 28, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Squeezing in some shorter pieces before the year‘s end, including Asimov’s ‘The Bicentennial Man‘.
Ever since reading ‘The Caves of Steel’ I’ve harboured a fondness for his robot tales & I feel this ranks with the best of them.
A tightly told story, touching without resorting to sentimentality.
Ever since reading ‘The Caves of Steel’ I’ve harboured a fondness for his robot tales & I feel this ranks with the best of them.
A tightly told story, touching without resorting to sentimentality.
Extraordinary how some stories stay lodged in the memory for absolute decades. A case in point is Frederik Pohl‘s ‘Shaffery among the Immortals’, revisited recently in this book. It’s longevity was undoubtedly due to the irony of its twist ending - and as an adult reader it lost none of it‘s impact!
December 26, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Extraordinary how some stories stay lodged in the memory for absolute decades. A case in point is Frederik Pohl‘s ‘Shaffery among the Immortals’, revisited recently in this book. It’s longevity was undoubtedly due to the irony of its twist ending - and as an adult reader it lost none of it‘s impact!
It’s a comfort re-read for me as we head up to Christmas, as I’ve opted to revisit Brian Aldiss’s ‘Hothouse’ (or at least the section originally published as the novelette ‘Nomansland’).
It may not be a ‘festive’ pick, but for this reader it has a bizarre magical charm in a league of its own 🙂
It may not be a ‘festive’ pick, but for this reader it has a bizarre magical charm in a league of its own 🙂
December 23, 2025 at 8:14 AM
It’s a comfort re-read for me as we head up to Christmas, as I’ve opted to revisit Brian Aldiss’s ‘Hothouse’ (or at least the section originally published as the novelette ‘Nomansland’).
It may not be a ‘festive’ pick, but for this reader it has a bizarre magical charm in a league of its own 🙂
It may not be a ‘festive’ pick, but for this reader it has a bizarre magical charm in a league of its own 🙂
This week’s ‘Hall of Fame’ selection was Damon Knight‘s 1956 story ‘The Country of the Kind’.
An extremely dark and uncompromising tale (whose premise concerns rehabilitation in a future society that has apparently dispensed entirely with all acts of violence) but nonetheless beautifully crafted.
An extremely dark and uncompromising tale (whose premise concerns rehabilitation in a future society that has apparently dispensed entirely with all acts of violence) but nonetheless beautifully crafted.
December 21, 2025 at 11:25 AM
This week’s ‘Hall of Fame’ selection was Damon Knight‘s 1956 story ‘The Country of the Kind’.
An extremely dark and uncompromising tale (whose premise concerns rehabilitation in a future society that has apparently dispensed entirely with all acts of violence) but nonetheless beautifully crafted.
An extremely dark and uncompromising tale (whose premise concerns rehabilitation in a future society that has apparently dispensed entirely with all acts of violence) but nonetheless beautifully crafted.
Remembering illustrator & writer James Cawthorn, born OTD 1929.
His work often graced Michael Moorcock’s ‘New Worlds’ in the 60s (a fine example of his b/w work below).
Collaborations with Moorcock continued in later years, including co-writing the film script for the ’The Land that Time Forgot’.
His work often graced Michael Moorcock’s ‘New Worlds’ in the 60s (a fine example of his b/w work below).
Collaborations with Moorcock continued in later years, including co-writing the film script for the ’The Land that Time Forgot’.
December 21, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Remembering illustrator & writer James Cawthorn, born OTD 1929.
His work often graced Michael Moorcock’s ‘New Worlds’ in the 60s (a fine example of his b/w work below).
Collaborations with Moorcock continued in later years, including co-writing the film script for the ’The Land that Time Forgot’.
His work often graced Michael Moorcock’s ‘New Worlds’ in the 60s (a fine example of his b/w work below).
Collaborations with Moorcock continued in later years, including co-writing the film script for the ’The Land that Time Forgot’.
Reposted by Future Revisitations
Pour yourself a festive drink, pull up a chair, and enjoy... my top ten science fiction reads of 2025! Plus, a roundup of my SF reading year and some plans for 2026. 📚
The ten best SF books I read in 2025
Featuring Keith Roberts, Kim Stanley Robinson, Pat Murphy, and more
www.andyjohnson.xyz
December 18, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Pour yourself a festive drink, pull up a chair, and enjoy... my top ten science fiction reads of 2025! Plus, a roundup of my SF reading year and some plans for 2026. 📚
Reposted by Future Revisitations
Well now. This was extraordinary. Very beguiling writing that sucks you in and gradually makes you question what you're reading. There are clues, but in keeping with the general theme of the book, they are hard to see. Remarkable stuff. 🪐📚💙 #scifibooks #sciencefiction #nowreading
December 18, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Well now. This was extraordinary. Very beguiling writing that sucks you in and gradually makes you question what you're reading. There are clues, but in keeping with the general theme of the book, they are hard to see. Remarkable stuff. 🪐📚💙 #scifibooks #sciencefiction #nowreading
Celebrating the enduring legacy of Philip K. Dick, born OTD 1928.
I’ve only read a fraction of his output to date (’Ubik‘, at the top of the pile, is next in line), but everything thus far has been thoroughly enjoyable.
And that ‘Selected Stories’ volume is still the gift that keeps on giving.
I’ve only read a fraction of his output to date (’Ubik‘, at the top of the pile, is next in line), but everything thus far has been thoroughly enjoyable.
And that ‘Selected Stories’ volume is still the gift that keeps on giving.
December 16, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Celebrating the enduring legacy of Philip K. Dick, born OTD 1928.
I’ve only read a fraction of his output to date (’Ubik‘, at the top of the pile, is next in line), but everything thus far has been thoroughly enjoyable.
And that ‘Selected Stories’ volume is still the gift that keeps on giving.
I’ve only read a fraction of his output to date (’Ubik‘, at the top of the pile, is next in line), but everything thus far has been thoroughly enjoyable.
And that ‘Selected Stories’ volume is still the gift that keeps on giving.
Something of a different tone this week. Having enjoyed Poul Anderson’s 1957 novelette ‘Call Me Joe’ earlier this year (& bolstered by this book’s inclusion in Pringle’s ‘100 Best SF novels’ listing) I’ve embarked on this Hugo nominated slice of ‘Hard SF’ from 1970.
At 180-odd pages a slim read too…
At 180-odd pages a slim read too…
December 15, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Something of a different tone this week. Having enjoyed Poul Anderson’s 1957 novelette ‘Call Me Joe’ earlier this year (& bolstered by this book’s inclusion in Pringle’s ‘100 Best SF novels’ listing) I’ve embarked on this Hugo nominated slice of ‘Hard SF’ from 1970.
At 180-odd pages a slim read too…
At 180-odd pages a slim read too…
My travels through one of my most beloved ‘collected stories’ tomes has brought me to ‘Thirteen to Centaurus’ from 1962, J. G. Ballard’s chilling subversion of the ‘Generation Starship’ concept.
And it’s also 60 years to the day since this very faithful adaptation was shown👇
bsky.app/profile/futu...
And it’s also 60 years to the day since this very faithful adaptation was shown👇
bsky.app/profile/futu...
December 13, 2025 at 10:51 AM
My travels through one of my most beloved ‘collected stories’ tomes has brought me to ‘Thirteen to Centaurus’ from 1962, J. G. Ballard’s chilling subversion of the ‘Generation Starship’ concept.
And it’s also 60 years to the day since this very faithful adaptation was shown👇
bsky.app/profile/futu...
And it’s also 60 years to the day since this very faithful adaptation was shown👇
bsky.app/profile/futu...
This has long been on my ‘must read’ list & it certainly didn’t disappoint. Cordwainer Smith’s ‘Scanners Live In Vain‘, feels so far ahead of its time (particularly given the proto-cybernetics on show), it’s hard to think of this as being conceived in 1945.
I’ll definitely be seeking out more.
I’ll definitely be seeking out more.
December 12, 2025 at 11:11 AM
This has long been on my ‘must read’ list & it certainly didn’t disappoint. Cordwainer Smith’s ‘Scanners Live In Vain‘, feels so far ahead of its time (particularly given the proto-cybernetics on show), it’s hard to think of this as being conceived in 1945.
I’ll definitely be seeking out more.
I’ll definitely be seeking out more.
Today’s pick from ‘The Brian Aldiss Collection’ was ‘The Day of the Doomed King’, first published in this 1965 issue of ‘Science Fantasy’ (with a rather striking Keith Roberts cover). A lyrical & evocative fantasy tale, foreshadowing the likes of ‘The Malacia Tapestry’ a decade later.
December 10, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Today’s pick from ‘The Brian Aldiss Collection’ was ‘The Day of the Doomed King’, first published in this 1965 issue of ‘Science Fantasy’ (with a rather striking Keith Roberts cover). A lyrical & evocative fantasy tale, foreshadowing the likes of ‘The Malacia Tapestry’ a decade later.
Finished this today.
I recall reading a review of Wyndham‘s legacy which began with the sentence: “Reputations are rarely unfounded…”, and I can think of no better example to apply this to just now than this superb novel.
Little wonder it’s never been out of print since 1957. Fabulous.
I recall reading a review of Wyndham‘s legacy which began with the sentence: “Reputations are rarely unfounded…”, and I can think of no better example to apply this to just now than this superb novel.
Little wonder it’s never been out of print since 1957. Fabulous.
December 9, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Finished this today.
I recall reading a review of Wyndham‘s legacy which began with the sentence: “Reputations are rarely unfounded…”, and I can think of no better example to apply this to just now than this superb novel.
Little wonder it’s never been out of print since 1957. Fabulous.
I recall reading a review of Wyndham‘s legacy which began with the sentence: “Reputations are rarely unfounded…”, and I can think of no better example to apply this to just now than this superb novel.
Little wonder it’s never been out of print since 1957. Fabulous.