Isaac Asimov: The Ugly Little Boy

Isaac Asimov: The Ugly Little Boy

“The Ugly Little Boy” is a moving science fiction story by Isaac Asimov, first published in the magazine Galaxy Science Fiction in 1958 and later included in the collection Nine Tomorrows (1959). The story follows Edith Fellowes, a nurse hired to participate in the Stasis project, an experiment that aims to overcome the barriers of space-time. Miss Fellowes’ task is to look after Timmie, a Neanderthal child brought back from the past, who becomes the object of multiple scientific studies. As Edith develops a strong emotional bond with Timmie, she will do everything possible to improve his situation and protect him from the tragic fate that awaits him.

Isaac Asimov: Sally

Isaac Asimov - Sally

Sally is a short story by Isaac Asimov, published in 1953 in Fantastic. The story is set in an indeterminate future, where autonomous cars with positronic brains have replaced manually driven vehicles. At the end of their useful life, these cars are taken to a farm looked after by Jake, a man who admires and values their unique abilities. His favorite is Sally, an elegant convertible with an almost human behavior. The tranquility of the place is interrupted when Raymond Gellhorn arrives with the plan to extract the positronic brains to sell them on the black market—a project he plans to carry out with or without Jake’s collaboration.

Kingsley Amis: Mason’s Life

Kingsley Amis

‘May I join you?’ The medium-sized man with the undistinguished clothes and the blank, anonymous face looked up at Pettigrew, who, glass of beer in hand, stood facing him across the small corner table. Pettigrew, tall, handsome and of fully moulded features, had about him an intent, almost excited air that, in different circumstances, might … Read more