The 7 cardinal virtues of science fiction
Ed, Isaac Asimov, CG Waugh, MH Greenberg
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: 16+
Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5
Review
Asimov, Waugh, and Greenberg have collaborated in many anthologies, most of which feature excellent content. This anthology, sadly, falls far short of expectations. It contains 7 stories, one representative of each of 7 virtues: temperance, prudence, fortitude, justice, faith, hope, and charity, with love thrown in as an extra. ALL of the stories have good ideas but in none of the stories are the ideas well developed. Some stories start well but end poorly. Some start poorly but have an unexpectedly good ending. Some are mediocre, all through.
The authors of the short stories and novellas include Arthur C Clarke, Norman Spinrad, Theodore Sturgeon, Eric Frank Russell, and Asimov, himself. The overall mediocrity of the anthology is surprising, given the high profile of these authors.