Ultimate Egoist

An anthology by Theodore Sturgeon, one of the genre's greats. The stories include It, a 1930s version of the Hulk, and Bianca's Hands, a story repeatedly rejected by publishers at the time as too horrid. This collection of early works of Sturgeon, acclaimed Grand Master of Science Fiction—features forewords by Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke, and Gene Wolfe. Although Sturgeon’s reach was limited to the lengths of the short story and novelette, his influence was strongly felt by even the most original science fiction stylists—including Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke, and Gene Wolfe. Written from 1937 to 1940, the stories here showcase Sturgeon’s masterful knack for clever, O. Henry-ish plot twists, sparkling character development, and almost archetypal, “Why didn’t I think of that?” story ideas. Early Sturgeon masterpieces include “It,” a story about the violence done by a creature spontaneously born from garbage and mud, and “Helix the Cat,” about an inventor’s bizarre encounter with a disembodied soul and the cat that saves it. Featuring more than forty stories, The Ultimate Egoist is a timelessly entertaining tour through the early career and unique genius of this legend of science fiction.