Science fiction | Lecturia

Henry Kuttner & C. L. Moore: What You Need

“What You Need” is a science fiction short story written by Henry Kuttner and C. L. Moore, first published in Astounding Science Fiction in October 1945. The story follows Tim Carmichael, a cynical and ambitious journalist who, intrigued by the display window of a mysterious shop on Park Avenue, steps into the enigmatic business of Peter Talley — a man who claims to have exactly what each person needs. Fascinated by this strange establishment, Carmichael becomes obsessed with uncovering its secret, unaware that he is about to confront a disturbing power that will put his fate to the test.

A. E. van Vogt: Black Destroyer

“Black Destroyer” is an influential science fiction short story by A. E. van Vogt, first published in Astounding Science-Fiction in July 1939. The story follows Coeurl, a fierce and intelligent alien creature roaming a desolate planet in search of sustenance. When a ship of human explorers lands, Coeurl detects a vital substance that awakens his insatiable hunger and triggers his predatory instincts. As he cunningly observes the humans, he prepares to seize any opportunity. Widely regarded as the beginning of the Golden Age of Science Fiction, the story is also recognized as one of the inspirations behind Ridley Scott’s film Alien.

Isaac Asimov: The Bicentennial Man

Synopsis: “The Bicentennial Man” is a philosophical science fiction short story by Isaac Asimov that won him the prestigious Hugo, Locus, and Nebula awards in 1977. The story follows Andrew Martin, a robot designed to perform domestic tasks for a human family. However, Andrew soon reveals creative abilities and exceptional reasoning, which earns him special … Read more

Roger Zelazny: A Rose for Ecclesiastes

“A Rose for Ecclesiastes” is a short story by Roger Zelazny, published in November 1963 in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. It tells the story of Gallinger, a brilliant poet and linguist from Earth who travels to Mars to study the culture of its ancient inhabitants. His extraordinary gift for languages makes him the first human to gain access to the sacred records of the Martians, a matriarchal society built on ancestral texts and traditions laden with symbolism and a somber philosophical background. Fascinated by this legacy, Gallinger enters into a cultural dialogue that will reveal to him an ancient prophecy.

Harlan Ellison: Jeffty Is Five

“Jeffty Is Five” is one of Harlan Ellison’s most awarded stories, first published in July 1977 in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. The narrative follows a man who recalls his childhood friend, Jeffty, a boy who seems to be anchored in time. As the years go by and the world changes, Jeffty remains unchanged, with the clear gaze and innocent questions of a five-year-old. This strange condition makes Jeffty a living enigma, a unique and fascinating being who defies the laws of physics and logic.

Arthur C. Clarke: Rescue Party

“Rescue Party” is an early science fiction story by Arthur C. Clarke, published in May 1946 in Astounding Science Fiction. An advanced extraterrestrial civilization receives an urgent alert: the sun of a distant system is about to turn into a nova, threatening the life on its third planet. Surprisingly, against all odds, intelligent life has arisen and evolved at great speed on this world. Faced with this critical situation, a rescue ship is dispatched with the mission of saving as many members of the species as possible. However, they face a race against time, as they have only four hours before the star explodes and catastrophe becomes inevitable.