Short Fiction ✨ By Robert Sheckley FULL Audiobook

Short Fiction. By Robert Sheckley FULL Audiobook
"Short Fiction" by Robert Sheckley is a collection of science fiction stories that showcases the wit, creativity, and thought-provoking concepts of this prolific writer. Although Sheckley may be less known today, he was a giant in his time, nominated for both the Hugo and Nebula awards. His stories blend serious themes with comedic elements, leaving a lasting impression on readers.

Here are some highlights from this captivating anthology:

1. “Watchbird”: In this prescient tale, Sheckley explores the idea of detecting murder before it occurs. Three years before Philip K. Dick’s “The Minority Report,” Sheckley introduces a world where watchbirds prevent crimes by identifying potential killers.

2. “Ask a Foolish Question”: Twenty-six years before Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Sheckley presents an all-knowing Answerer. People seek answers to life’s ultimate questions, and the Answerer responds. But what if the answer isn’t what they expected?

3. “A Strange but Familiar Country”: Set in a mysterious land, this story delves into the complexities of identity and memory. What happens when you encounter a place that feels both familiar and alien?

4. “A Supplicant in Space”: A thought-provoking exploration of faith and belief. When a supplicant seeks answers from an extraterrestrial being, the encounter challenges their worldview.

5. “A Thief in Time”: Sheckley weaves time travel into a thrilling narrative. A thief discovers a way to steal from the past, but the consequences are far-reaching.

6. “A Ticket to Tranai”: Imagine a world where you can buy a ticket to any destination—real or fictional. But what if the journey takes an unexpected turn?

Sheckley’s writing style is both humorous and stylistically rich. He crafts English exceptionally well, earning praise from fellow writers like Douglas Adams and Kingsley Amis. His stories transcend traditional science fiction boundaries, touching on philosophy, morality, and the human condition.

This collection includes all of Sheckley’s public domain short fiction, ordered by the date of first publication. Dive into these imaginative worlds and experience the genius of Robert Sheckley—a master storyteller who continues to inspire readers across generations..
More: science fiction, humor, short stories
satire, absurdity, imaginative
witty, twists, unexpected
quirky, eccentric, speculative
irony, surreal, clever

00:00:00 Final Examination
00:48:14 Proof of the Pudding
01:06:55 Warrior Race
01:34:26 Cost of Living
01:56:41 The Leech
02:35:21 Writing Class
02:41:38 Watchbird
03:31:01 Ask a Foolish Question
03:50:36 Warm
04:11:11 Diplomatic Immunity
04:56:56 The Hour of Battle
05:10:50 Beside Still Waters
05:19:45 Keep Your Shape
06:00:42 One Man’s Poison
06:32:17 Death Wish
06:56:07 Forever
07:18:44 The Sweeper of Loray
07:49:29 Prospector’s Special
08:46:50 Meeting of the Minds