An anthology more than half a century in the making, featuring a mix of new and classic science fiction stories, with a focus on social consciousness and politically charged narratives. The collection, edited by J. Michael Straczynski, offers a glimpse into the troubled genius of Harlan Ellison and his lifelong pursuit of art.

Reader Review Summary

After over 50 years of anticipation, fans of Harlan Ellison's groundbreaking "Dangerous Visions" anthology series finally have the long-awaited final installment with "The Last Dangerous Visions." Masterfully edited by J. Michael Straczynski, Ellison's close friend and literary executor, this book is a remarkable achievement and a fitting tribute to Ellison's forward-thinking vision.

The book begins with Straczynski's insightful and deeply moving "Ellison Exegesis" essay, which provides invaluable context into Ellison's struggles and the tortuous journey to bring this anthology to publication. While heartbreaking at times, it paints a nuanced, empathetic portrait of a tormented genius. Straczynski's love and respect for his friend is palpable, making the essay alone worth the price of admission.

As for the stories themselves, this collection absolutely lives up to the "Dangerous Visions" legacy with its bold, ground-breaking sci-fi tales from a stellar assortment of authors. Cory Doctorow's "The Weight of a Feather (The Weight of a Heart)" is a powerful exploration of technology and humanity's future. Max Brooks' "Hunger" provides chilling, prescient social commentary on food scarcity. Adrian Tchaikovsky's "First Sight" is an imaginative first contact story told from an alien perspective.

Vintage stories like Edward Bryant's "War Stories," A.E. van Vogt's "The Time of the Skin," and Robert Sheckley's "Primordial Follies" remind us of these legendary authors' immense talents. At the same time, exciting newer voices like Cecil Castellucci ("After Taste") and Kayo Hartenbaum ("Binary System") herald sci-fi's bright future. The unique "Intermezzo" flash fictions by D.M. Rowles provide thought-provoking artistic interludes between longer tales.

While not every story will resonate with every reader, the consistent level of quality is impressive. The collection fulfills Ellison's vision of championing daring, uncompromising sci-fi that pushes artistic boundaries. Straczynski's curation does an admirable job of capturing what Ellison may have assembled if completing it himself.

Tim Kirk's evocative interior illustrations are the icing on the cake, complementing the written works with a suitably bold visual flair. From the illuminating front matter to the very last page, this lovingly-assembled volume is a must-have for any sci-fi fan's library. After an excruciating wait, "The Last Dangerous Visions" has finally arrived, and it was well worth it.