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. 📚
I always admire the sheer unpredictability of Alfred Bester’s plots. ‘Hobson’s Choice‘ is a fine case in point. It begins with a statistician tracing the source of a mysterious rise in population growth to a small town in Kansas, which then forms the backdrop to a satisfyingly quirky run of events.
November 28, 2025 at 11:01 AM
I always admire the sheer unpredictability of Alfred Bester’s plots. ‘Hobson’s Choice‘ is a fine case in point. It begins with a statistician tracing the source of a mysterious rise in population growth to a small town in Kansas, which then forms the backdrop to a satisfyingly quirky run of events.
Celebrating the influential Frederik Pohl, born OTD 1919.
I’m currently reading his 1972 novella ‘The Merchants of Venus’ (from the ‘Platinum Pohl’ collection). Notably, this tale introduces the alien culture of the ‘Heechee’, whose technology later forms the backdrop of his 1977 novel ‘Gateway’.
I’m currently reading his 1972 novella ‘The Merchants of Venus’ (from the ‘Platinum Pohl’ collection). Notably, this tale introduces the alien culture of the ‘Heechee’, whose technology later forms the backdrop of his 1977 novel ‘Gateway’.
November 26, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Celebrating the influential Frederik Pohl, born OTD 1919.
I’m currently reading his 1972 novella ‘The Merchants of Venus’ (from the ‘Platinum Pohl’ collection). Notably, this tale introduces the alien culture of the ‘Heechee’, whose technology later forms the backdrop of his 1977 novel ‘Gateway’.
I’m currently reading his 1972 novella ‘The Merchants of Venus’ (from the ‘Platinum Pohl’ collection). Notably, this tale introduces the alien culture of the ‘Heechee’, whose technology later forms the backdrop of his 1977 novel ‘Gateway’.
10. OTD 1966. My favourite Frederik Pohl story, the sublime ‘Tunnel Under the World’ was the next ‘Out of the Unknown’ adaptation.
Considered missing for decades, a film print was thankfully returned to the archives in 2004.
Ironically, this 1966 ‘Listener’ review wasn’t quite as enthusiastic 🙂👇
Considered missing for decades, a film print was thankfully returned to the archives in 2004.
Ironically, this 1966 ‘Listener’ review wasn’t quite as enthusiastic 🙂👇
November 24, 2025 at 9:44 AM
10. OTD 1966. My favourite Frederik Pohl story, the sublime ‘Tunnel Under the World’ was the next ‘Out of the Unknown’ adaptation.
Considered missing for decades, a film print was thankfully returned to the archives in 2004.
Ironically, this 1966 ‘Listener’ review wasn’t quite as enthusiastic 🙂👇
Considered missing for decades, a film print was thankfully returned to the archives in 2004.
Ironically, this 1966 ‘Listener’ review wasn’t quite as enthusiastic 🙂👇
Just caught up with what I gather was Philip K. Dick’s first published genre story in 1952.
And its remarkable that all the ingredients that defined his work are already here, even the elements of playful whimsy that lighten even the macabre moments.
The bovine-like ‘Wub’ is a remarkable creation.
And its remarkable that all the ingredients that defined his work are already here, even the elements of playful whimsy that lighten even the macabre moments.
The bovine-like ‘Wub’ is a remarkable creation.
November 23, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Just caught up with what I gather was Philip K. Dick’s first published genre story in 1952.
And its remarkable that all the ingredients that defined his work are already here, even the elements of playful whimsy that lighten even the macabre moments.
The bovine-like ‘Wub’ is a remarkable creation.
And its remarkable that all the ingredients that defined his work are already here, even the elements of playful whimsy that lighten even the macabre moments.
The bovine-like ‘Wub’ is a remarkable creation.
Having noted its 60 years to the day that Terry Nation’s television adaptation of ‘The Fox and the Forest’ was shown, it seemed apt to revisit ‘The Illustrated Man’ as this wonderful thriller is the next story in line.
A strong instalment, with a neatly staged reveal.
bsky.app/profile/futu...
A strong instalment, with a neatly staged reveal.
bsky.app/profile/futu...
November 22, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Having noted its 60 years to the day that Terry Nation’s television adaptation of ‘The Fox and the Forest’ was shown, it seemed apt to revisit ‘The Illustrated Man’ as this wonderful thriller is the next story in line.
A strong instalment, with a neatly staged reveal.
bsky.app/profile/futu...
A strong instalment, with a neatly staged reveal.
bsky.app/profile/futu...
11. OTD 1965. The next episode was Terry Nation’s adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s ‘The Fox and the Forest’, concerning a young couple fleeing from a dystopian future.
Sadly never repeated (due to rights issues) & now missing from the archives, bar the end credit sequence & a reel of sound effects.
Sadly never repeated (due to rights issues) & now missing from the archives, bar the end credit sequence & a reel of sound effects.
November 22, 2025 at 8:02 AM
11. OTD 1965. The next episode was Terry Nation’s adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s ‘The Fox and the Forest’, concerning a young couple fleeing from a dystopian future.
Sadly never repeated (due to rights issues) & now missing from the archives, bar the end credit sequence & a reel of sound effects.
Sadly never repeated (due to rights issues) & now missing from the archives, bar the end credit sequence & a reel of sound effects.
I’ve been dipping in & out of this fine collection over the past year. Finally finished the remaining tale, the wryly humorous ‘The Great Slow Kings’.
I think Zelazny had a lot of fun with his two laconic reptilian monarchs, whose laboured decisions are literally millions of years in the making! 🙂
I think Zelazny had a lot of fun with his two laconic reptilian monarchs, whose laboured decisions are literally millions of years in the making! 🙂
November 20, 2025 at 9:14 AM
I’ve been dipping in & out of this fine collection over the past year. Finally finished the remaining tale, the wryly humorous ‘The Great Slow Kings’.
I think Zelazny had a lot of fun with his two laconic reptilian monarchs, whose laboured decisions are literally millions of years in the making! 🙂
I think Zelazny had a lot of fun with his two laconic reptilian monarchs, whose laboured decisions are literally millions of years in the making! 🙂
9. OTD 1966. Out of the Unknown: ‘The Eye’, adapted from ‘Private Eye’ by Henry Kuttner & C.L. Moore (writing as ‘Lewis Padgett’). An intriguing premise involving the decoding of recorded light & sound impressions left in walls, which can be ‘played back’ to identify perpetrators of past crimes.
November 17, 2025 at 10:49 AM
9. OTD 1966. Out of the Unknown: ‘The Eye’, adapted from ‘Private Eye’ by Henry Kuttner & C.L. Moore (writing as ‘Lewis Padgett’). An intriguing premise involving the decoding of recorded light & sound impressions left in walls, which can be ‘played back’ to identify perpetrators of past crimes.
10. OTD 1965. The next entry was an adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s 1954 story ‘Sucker Bait’, in which a push for scientific specialisation leads to a critical inability to link key findings made in different fields, with tragic results for a crew investigating the mysterious death of a remote colony.
November 15, 2025 at 8:02 PM
10. OTD 1965. The next entry was an adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s 1954 story ‘Sucker Bait’, in which a push for scientific specialisation leads to a critical inability to link key findings made in different fields, with tragic results for a crew investigating the mysterious death of a remote colony.
Remembering J.G. Ballard, born OTD 1930.
I’ve been reading his work for many years & I can readily appreciate why many qualify his writing as ‘timeless’.
And I can think of no better imagery to accompany this post than the equally timeless appeal of David Pelham’s superlative cover art 🙂
I’ve been reading his work for many years & I can readily appreciate why many qualify his writing as ‘timeless’.
And I can think of no better imagery to accompany this post than the equally timeless appeal of David Pelham’s superlative cover art 🙂
November 15, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Remembering J.G. Ballard, born OTD 1930.
I’ve been reading his work for many years & I can readily appreciate why many qualify his writing as ‘timeless’.
And I can think of no better imagery to accompany this post than the equally timeless appeal of David Pelham’s superlative cover art 🙂
I’ve been reading his work for many years & I can readily appreciate why many qualify his writing as ‘timeless’.
And I can think of no better imagery to accompany this post than the equally timeless appeal of David Pelham’s superlative cover art 🙂
Embarked on ‘Inverted World’ over the last few days & it had me hooked from the opening chapters. I’ve still some way to go of course, but I’m already thinking that it’s likely to end up as one of my top 5 reads of the year.
My first novel by this fine author - & I’ll certainly be seeking out more…
My first novel by this fine author - & I’ll certainly be seeking out more…
November 10, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Embarked on ‘Inverted World’ over the last few days & it had me hooked from the opening chapters. I’ve still some way to go of course, but I’m already thinking that it’s likely to end up as one of my top 5 reads of the year.
My first novel by this fine author - & I’ll certainly be seeking out more…
My first novel by this fine author - & I’ll certainly be seeking out more…
8. OTD 1966. Deborah Watling & Mark Eden star in the Out of the Unknown play 'The World in Silence'. Now sadly lost, this tale of wayward teaching machines was adapted from John Rankine's story 'Six Cubed Plus One', published just a few years previously in the anthology series 'New Writings in SF'.
November 10, 2025 at 8:24 AM
8. OTD 1966. Deborah Watling & Mark Eden star in the Out of the Unknown play 'The World in Silence'. Now sadly lost, this tale of wayward teaching machines was adapted from John Rankine's story 'Six Cubed Plus One', published just a few years previously in the anthology series 'New Writings in SF'.
9. In 1998, I corresponded with Paddy Russell to ask about her memories of working on this episode.
Amongst her recollections was this wonderful anecdote about filming a key SFX sequence, in which the character of Anne Lovejoy (Patsy Rowlands) was attacked by one of the alien plants.
Amongst her recollections was this wonderful anecdote about filming a key SFX sequence, in which the character of Anne Lovejoy (Patsy Rowlands) was attacked by one of the alien plants.
November 8, 2025 at 11:21 AM
9. In 1998, I corresponded with Paddy Russell to ask about her memories of working on this episode.
Amongst her recollections was this wonderful anecdote about filming a key SFX sequence, in which the character of Anne Lovejoy (Patsy Rowlands) was attacked by one of the alien plants.
Amongst her recollections was this wonderful anecdote about filming a key SFX sequence, in which the character of Anne Lovejoy (Patsy Rowlands) was attacked by one of the alien plants.
8. OTD 1965. The next episode was Mike Watt’s black comedy ‘Come Buttercup, Come Daisy, Come…?’
Milo O’Shea stars as Henry Wilkes, who is unwittingly growing a very carnivorous variety of plant in his back garden.
‘Little Shop of Horrors’ meets ‘Day of the Triffids’… 🙂
Directed by Paddy Russell.
Milo O’Shea stars as Henry Wilkes, who is unwittingly growing a very carnivorous variety of plant in his back garden.
‘Little Shop of Horrors’ meets ‘Day of the Triffids’… 🙂
Directed by Paddy Russell.
November 8, 2025 at 11:15 AM
8. OTD 1965. The next episode was Mike Watt’s black comedy ‘Come Buttercup, Come Daisy, Come…?’
Milo O’Shea stars as Henry Wilkes, who is unwittingly growing a very carnivorous variety of plant in his back garden.
‘Little Shop of Horrors’ meets ‘Day of the Triffids’… 🙂
Directed by Paddy Russell.
Milo O’Shea stars as Henry Wilkes, who is unwittingly growing a very carnivorous variety of plant in his back garden.
‘Little Shop of Horrors’ meets ‘Day of the Triffids’… 🙂
Directed by Paddy Russell.
Ending a week of fine short stories with Samuel R. Delany’s ‘Driftglass’, a tale concerning humans who have been biologically modified to live & work in the ocean depths.
A fine character study & all rather beautifully written - amazing to think that this story ranks amongst his earliest work.
A fine character study & all rather beautifully written - amazing to think that this story ranks amongst his earliest work.
November 7, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Ending a week of fine short stories with Samuel R. Delany’s ‘Driftglass’, a tale concerning humans who have been biologically modified to live & work in the ocean depths.
A fine character study & all rather beautifully written - amazing to think that this story ranks amongst his earliest work.
A fine character study & all rather beautifully written - amazing to think that this story ranks amongst his earliest work.
Absolutely - wonderful editions. I have the same feelings about these fabulous M.R. James collections from the late 50s.
November 6, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Absolutely - wonderful editions. I have the same feelings about these fabulous M.R. James collections from the late 50s.
Remembering author & curator/librarian David I. Masson, born OTD 1915.
A frequent contributor to New Worlds magazine, Masson’s stories were later assembled in the 1968 volume ‘The Caltraps of Time’. His 1965 debut ‘Travellers Rest’ was a huge influence on a young & aspiring Christopher Priest.
A frequent contributor to New Worlds magazine, Masson’s stories were later assembled in the 1968 volume ‘The Caltraps of Time’. His 1965 debut ‘Travellers Rest’ was a huge influence on a young & aspiring Christopher Priest.
November 6, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Remembering author & curator/librarian David I. Masson, born OTD 1915.
A frequent contributor to New Worlds magazine, Masson’s stories were later assembled in the 1968 volume ‘The Caltraps of Time’. His 1965 debut ‘Travellers Rest’ was a huge influence on a young & aspiring Christopher Priest.
A frequent contributor to New Worlds magazine, Masson’s stories were later assembled in the 1968 volume ‘The Caltraps of Time’. His 1965 debut ‘Travellers Rest’ was a huge influence on a young & aspiring Christopher Priest.
Next up in ‘The Illustrated Man‘ was the enigmatic & unsettling ‘The Last Night of the World’.
It’s a finely crafted mood piece, as a couple consider their final actions before the world is extinguished, an event mysteriously foreshadowed in a dream that they had both experienced the night before…
It’s a finely crafted mood piece, as a couple consider their final actions before the world is extinguished, an event mysteriously foreshadowed in a dream that they had both experienced the night before…
November 5, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Next up in ‘The Illustrated Man‘ was the enigmatic & unsettling ‘The Last Night of the World’.
It’s a finely crafted mood piece, as a couple consider their final actions before the world is extinguished, an event mysteriously foreshadowed in a dream that they had both experienced the night before…
It’s a finely crafted mood piece, as a couple consider their final actions before the world is extinguished, an event mysteriously foreshadowed in a dream that they had both experienced the night before…
7. OTD 1966. The next entry was Hugh Leonard’s ‘Second Childhood’, starring Nigel Stock as Charles Dennistoun, the recipient of a new rejuvenation process. Although the episode is now lost, here’s a rare audio clip of the process being explained to Charles by its creator Dr Keppler (Hugo Shuster).
November 3, 2025 at 11:28 AM
7. OTD 1966. The next entry was Hugh Leonard’s ‘Second Childhood’, starring Nigel Stock as Charles Dennistoun, the recipient of a new rejuvenation process. Although the episode is now lost, here’s a rare audio clip of the process being explained to Charles by its creator Dr Keppler (Hugo Shuster).
David Masson’s ’A Two-Timer’, one of this year’s best reading surprises.
First published in New Worlds, it’s an engaging first-person account of a man accidentally brought forward in time from 1678 to 1964. Told entirely in 17th century English dialect, it’s a fantastic conceit, brilliantly told.
First published in New Worlds, it’s an engaging first-person account of a man accidentally brought forward in time from 1678 to 1964. Told entirely in 17th century English dialect, it’s a fantastic conceit, brilliantly told.
November 2, 2025 at 9:46 AM
David Masson’s ’A Two-Timer’, one of this year’s best reading surprises.
First published in New Worlds, it’s an engaging first-person account of a man accidentally brought forward in time from 1678 to 1964. Told entirely in 17th century English dialect, it’s a fantastic conceit, brilliantly told.
First published in New Worlds, it’s an engaging first-person account of a man accidentally brought forward in time from 1678 to 1964. Told entirely in 17th century English dialect, it’s a fantastic conceit, brilliantly told.
Today’s selected story was archetypal PKD. ‘The Electric Ant’ concerns an android who only realises it’s non-human status when being treated after a traffic accident. It’s sense of identity lost, it then sets about establishing whether anything else is truly ‘real‘. The ending is suitably unnerving!
November 1, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Today’s selected story was archetypal PKD. ‘The Electric Ant’ concerns an android who only realises it’s non-human status when being treated after a traffic accident. It’s sense of identity lost, it then sets about establishing whether anything else is truly ‘real‘. The ending is suitably unnerving!
7. OTD 1965. A sombre reworking of William Tenn‘s satirical ‘Time in Advance’, concerning a future justice system in which criminals earn a licence to commit crime by serving their prison time first! Directed by Peter Sasdy, who would go on to direct the likes of Nigel Kneale’s ‘The Stone Tape’.
November 1, 2025 at 9:23 AM
7. OTD 1965. A sombre reworking of William Tenn‘s satirical ‘Time in Advance’, concerning a future justice system in which criminals earn a licence to commit crime by serving their prison time first! Directed by Peter Sasdy, who would go on to direct the likes of Nigel Kneale’s ‘The Stone Tape’.
Today‘s All Hallows' Eve reading pleasure will be a choice M. R. James story.
There’s something particularly fitting about reading James from a faded & dusty Penguin Paperback from the late 50s - they now seem to mirror the antiquarian books whose discovery bodes ill in many of his best loved tales!
There’s something particularly fitting about reading James from a faded & dusty Penguin Paperback from the late 50s - they now seem to mirror the antiquarian books whose discovery bodes ill in many of his best loved tales!
October 31, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Today‘s All Hallows' Eve reading pleasure will be a choice M. R. James story.
There’s something particularly fitting about reading James from a faded & dusty Penguin Paperback from the late 50s - they now seem to mirror the antiquarian books whose discovery bodes ill in many of his best loved tales!
There’s something particularly fitting about reading James from a faded & dusty Penguin Paperback from the late 50s - they now seem to mirror the antiquarian books whose discovery bodes ill in many of his best loved tales!
Today’s SF Hall of Fame selection, part of Blish’s ’pantropy’ series, in which humans are adapted in order to survive diverse planetary environments.
Here our microscopic protagonists, who have only known life underwater, undertake a journey that involves a life-changing conceptual breakthrough…
Here our microscopic protagonists, who have only known life underwater, undertake a journey that involves a life-changing conceptual breakthrough…
October 30, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Today’s SF Hall of Fame selection, part of Blish’s ’pantropy’ series, in which humans are adapted in order to survive diverse planetary environments.
Here our microscopic protagonists, who have only known life underwater, undertake a journey that involves a life-changing conceptual breakthrough…
Here our microscopic protagonists, who have only known life underwater, undertake a journey that involves a life-changing conceptual breakthrough…
Remembering author and scriptwriter Nigel Kneale, who we lost on this day in 2006.
Such an enduring legacy, as frequently revisited and admired as these cherished Penguin paperbacks.
Timeless works.
Such an enduring legacy, as frequently revisited and admired as these cherished Penguin paperbacks.
Timeless works.
October 29, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Remembering author and scriptwriter Nigel Kneale, who we lost on this day in 2006.
Such an enduring legacy, as frequently revisited and admired as these cherished Penguin paperbacks.
Timeless works.
Such an enduring legacy, as frequently revisited and admired as these cherished Penguin paperbacks.
Timeless works.