March 11 is the birthday of three science fiction writers whose works I’ve enjoyed. They are F. M. Busby (1921-2005), Christopher Anvil (1925-2009), and Douglas Adams (1952-2001). Let’s take a closer look at each of them. Continue reading
Christopher Anvil (real name Harry Christopher Crosby) was born on this date (March 11) in 1925. He passed away on November 30, 2009.
Although he had a couple of stories published in the early 1950s, Anvil’s most productive years were from 1957 through the 1970s. While a handful of stories appeared in the quarter century, he was most productive in the 1960s and 70s.
Anvil tended to approach his fiction with a sense of humor. He’s one of the few writers I’ve found who can make me laugh out loud. Most writers can’t. He’s not as well known as he should be. Fortunately Baen has reprinted pretty much all of his short fiction.
In honor of his birthday, I’m going to look at the story “We From Arcturus”. It’s available in The Trouble with Humans. Spoilers ahead. Continue reading