Robert A. Heinlein wrote a humorous cyborg story in response to a cyborg anthology that was dedicated to him and now this rare find is finally appearing in a magazine, the May issue of Galaxy's Edge. The Heinlein story is titled; “Field Defects: Memo From a Cyborg”.
What makes this story so rare?
In 1975, Random House/Vintage published an anthology of stories about cyborgs called Human-Machines, edited by Thomas N. Scortia and George Zebrowski. The editors dedicated the book to Robert A. Heinlein, “who taught us both.” When Heinlein received a copy of the book, he wrote them both a letter, thanking them. However, that personal message to them was in a postscript. The actual text of the letter was a short fiction piece showing a truly whimsical and entertaining side of the Heinlein where he pretended to be a Cyborg – in keeping with the theme of the anthology – complaining about certain defects.
The story has only been published once before: in the Virginia Edition, a set of volumes (limited to 2,000 sets and selling for $1,500 each) containing Heinlein’s complete fiction and non-fiction. For the vast majority of readers, this will be a “new” Heinlein story.
Most games have some sort of paddling-pool-and-water-wings beginning to ease you in: Oolite takes the rather more Darwinian approach of heaving you straight into the ocean, often with a brick or two in your pockets for luck. ~ Disembodied
Incidentally, have you watched Predestination yet? It's a surprisingly faithful movie adaptation of All You Zombies. I quite enjoyed it.
Most games have some sort of paddling-pool-and-water-wings beginning to ease you in: Oolite takes the rather more Darwinian approach of heaving you straight into the ocean, often with a brick or two in your pockets for luck. ~ Disembodied
See if you can get hold of it.. I think RAH himself would quite like what they've done with it. Almost nothing has been taken away from the original story, and what's been added stays true to the spirit of the story.
Highly recommended for any Heinlein fans.
Most games have some sort of paddling-pool-and-water-wings beginning to ease you in: Oolite takes the rather more Darwinian approach of heaving you straight into the ocean, often with a brick or two in your pockets for luck. ~ Disembodied
aquiring a copy of the movie soon..... now to find that pdf...
Arthur: OK. Leave this to me. I'm British. I know how to queue.
OR i could go with
Arthur Dent: I always said there was something fundamentally wrong with the universe.
or simply
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I've probably linked it before, but The Green Hills of Earth is my favourite Heinlein short. 'Noisy' Rhysling - the blind, space-going songwriter.
Heinlein took the title from this old tale, wherein can be found Northwest Smith - possibly the inspiration for the Han Solo character.
I would advise stilts for the quagmires, and camels for the snowy hills
And any survivors, their debts I will certainly pay. There's always a way!
