''Polyphemus'' is a collection of
science fiction
Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel uni ...
,
fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy literature and d ...
and
horror stories by American writer
Michael Shea. It was released in
1987
File:1987 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The MS Herald of Free Enterprise capsizes after leaving the Port of Zeebrugge in Belgium, killing 193; Northwest Airlines Flight 255 crashes after takeoff from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, ...
by
Arkham House
Arkham House is an American publishing house specializing in weird fiction. It was founded in Sauk City, Wisconsin, in 1939 by August Derleth and Donald Wandrei to publish hardcover collections of H. P. Lovecraft's best works, which had ...
. It was published in an edition of 3,528 copies and was the author's first hardcover book. Most of the stories originally appeared in ''
The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction
''The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction'' (usually referred to as ''F&SF'') is a U.S. fantasy and science fiction magazine first published in 1949 by Mystery House, a subsidiary of Lawrence Spivak's Mercury Press. Editors Anthony Boucher ...
''.
Contents
''Polyphemus'' contains the following stories:
*"Foreword", by
Algis Budrys
Algirdas Jonas "Algis" Budrys (January 9, 1931 – June 9, 2008) was a Lithuanian-American science fiction author, editor, and critic. He was also known under the pen names Frank Mason, Alger Rome (in collaboration with Jerome Bixby), Jo ...
* "Polyphemus"
* "The Angel of Death"
* "Uncle Tuggs"
* "The Pearls of the Vampire Queen"
* "The Horror on the #33"
* "The Extra"
* "The Autopsy"
Reception
Chris Gilmore suggested readers unfamiliar with Shea's work "will do best to approach him through the showcase collection ''Polyphemus''".
David Pringle described ''Polyphemus'' as "colourful SF stories, mostly latter-day bug-eyed monster tales and all with a fantastic or horrific tinge" and compared Shea's work to that of
Clark Ashton Smith and
Jack Vance
John Holbrook Vance (August 28, 1916 – May 26, 2013) was an American mystery, fantasy, and science fiction writer. Though most of his work has been published under the name Jack Vance, he also wrote several mystery novels under pen names.
...
. Pringle rated ''Polyphemus'' two stars out of four.
[David Pringle,''The Ultimate Guide To Science Fiction''.New York: Pharos Books: St.Martins Press, 1990. (p.269).]
"The Autopsy" was adapted by
David S. Goyer
David Samuel Goyer (born December 22, 1965) is an American filmmaker, novelist and comic book writer. He is best known for writing the screenplays for several superhero films, including '' Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' (1998), the ''Blade'' ...
for the Netflix horror anthology show ''
Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities
''Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities'' (or simply ''Cabinet of Curiosities'') is a horror anthology streaming television series created by Guillermo del Toro for Netflix. It features eight modern horror stories in the traditions of th ...
'' (2022). It was directed by
David Prior, and starred
F. Murray Abraham
F. Murray Abraham (born Murray Abraham; October 24, 1939) is an American actor. Known for his roles on stage and screen, he came to prominence for his acclaimed leading role as Antonio Salieri in the drama film '' Amadeus'' (1984) for which he wo ...
as Dr. Carl Winters,
Glynn Turman
Glynn Russell Turman (born January 31, 1947) is an American actor, writer, director, and producer. Turman is known for his roles as Lew Miles on the prime-time soap opera '' Peyton Place'' (1968–1969), high school student Leroy "Preach" Jackson ...
as sheriff Nate Craven, and
Luke Roberts
Luke Justin Roberts (born 25 January 1977) is a sports director and former Australian racing cyclist specialising in both track cycling and road bicycle racing.
Born in Adelaide, South Australia, he resides both in Adelaide and in Cologne, ...
as Elliott Sykes.
References
Sources
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*
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*
1987 short story collections
Science fiction short story collections
Fantasy short story collections
Horror short story collections
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