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YASID: Marooned space traveller pines for Earth & "St. Louis Blues"
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Dave Moore
Oct 7, 2012, 7:18:37 PM10/7/12
to
Hi Folks
I'm trying to remember the title (and/or author) of a short scf-fi story I
read in the late 1950s.
I believe it was part of an anthology of scf-fi stories I borrowed from the
local library.
The story was about a lone space traveller marooned on a lonely planet,
pining for Earth and the music he remembered hearing there. Special mention
was given to the jazz number "St Louis Blues".
Any suggestions gratefully received.
Thanks in advance.
Dave
I'm trying to remember the title (and/or author) of a short scf-fi story I
read in the late 1950s.
I believe it was part of an anthology of scf-fi stories I borrowed from the
local library.
The story was about a lone space traveller marooned on a lonely planet,
pining for Earth and the music he remembered hearing there. Special mention
was given to the jazz number "St Louis Blues".
Any suggestions gratefully received.
Thanks in advance.
Dave
Butch Malahide
Oct 9, 2012, 1:36:00 PM10/9/12
to
On Oct 7, 6:18 pm, "Dave Moore" <d...@djmoorenospam.fsnet.co.uk>
wrote:
else you remember about the story? Were there intelligent aliens in
the story? Dangerous animals? Was the setting desert or forest? Was
the castaway rescued in the end? Could he eat the local food, or was
he living on food tablets from his spaceship? Can you remember
anything about any of the other stories in that anthology?
If nobody here knows your story, another good place for queries like
this is the BookSleuth Forum at abebooks.com.
wrote:
>
> I'm trying to remember the title (and/or author) of a short scf-fi story I
> read in the late 1950s.
>
> I believe it was part of an anthology of scf-fi stories I borrowed from the
> local library.
>
> The story was about a lone space traveller marooned on a lonely planet,
> pining for Earth and the music he remembered hearing there. Special mention
> was given to the jazz number "St Louis Blues".
Maybe it would help if you could give more clues? Is there *anything*
> I'm trying to remember the title (and/or author) of a short scf-fi story I
> read in the late 1950s.
>
> I believe it was part of an anthology of scf-fi stories I borrowed from the
> local library.
>
> The story was about a lone space traveller marooned on a lonely planet,
> pining for Earth and the music he remembered hearing there. Special mention
> was given to the jazz number "St Louis Blues".
else you remember about the story? Were there intelligent aliens in
the story? Dangerous animals? Was the setting desert or forest? Was
the castaway rescued in the end? Could he eat the local food, or was
he living on food tablets from his spaceship? Can you remember
anything about any of the other stories in that anthology?
If nobody here knows your story, another good place for queries like
this is the BookSleuth Forum at abebooks.com.
Dave Moore
Oct 9, 2012, 7:17:52 PM10/9/12
to
"Butch Malahide" <fred....@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:2edc8f7b-a68d-46b6...@n16g2000yqi.googlegroups.com...
========================================
Thanks, Butch,
I don't recall much more about the story -- it was over 50 years ago, and I
was very young :-)
What I remember, there were no aliens involved, just one lonely marooned
spaceman sitting and gazing at a distant Sun, thinking of Earth, which he
would never see again. Sad ending.
What really sticks in my mind was the mention of "St Louis Blues" as an
example of the music on Earth. I didn't know the number when I read the
story, but was prompted to find out more, and that led me to an interest in
jazz, for which I am grateful.
I'm just curious about the story, and its author, and would like to read it
again.
So, any further help would be much appreciated.
TIA !
Dave
news:2edc8f7b-a68d-46b6...@n16g2000yqi.googlegroups.com...
Thanks, Butch,
I don't recall much more about the story -- it was over 50 years ago, and I
was very young :-)
What I remember, there were no aliens involved, just one lonely marooned
spaceman sitting and gazing at a distant Sun, thinking of Earth, which he
would never see again. Sad ending.
What really sticks in my mind was the mention of "St Louis Blues" as an
example of the music on Earth. I didn't know the number when I read the
story, but was prompted to find out more, and that led me to an interest in
jazz, for which I am grateful.
I'm just curious about the story, and its author, and would like to read it
again.
So, any further help would be much appreciated.
TIA !
Dave
Brenda Clough
Oct 9, 2012, 10:43:29 PM10/9/12
to
Were there illustrations? Think about the paper -- was it newsprint, or
was it smoother and heavier? Think about the text -- was it set in two
columns, or did the words run right across the entire page?
If it was over 50 years ago then the work appeared before 1962, yes?
That winnows it down a great deal.
Brenda
--
My latest novel SPEAK TO OUR DESIRES is available exclusively from Book
View Cafe.
http://www.bookviewcafe.com/index.php/Brenda-Clough/Novels/Speak-to-Our-Desires-Chapter-01
Butch Malahide
Oct 10, 2012, 12:06:17 AM10/10/12
to
On Oct 9, 9:43 pm, Brenda Clough <BrendaWri...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> On 10/9/2012 7:17 PM, Dave Moore wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > "Butch Malahide"<fred.gal...@gmail.com> wrote in message
> On 10/9/2012 7:17 PM, Dave Moore wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
explicitly that he read it "in the late 1950s" and that (he believes)
it was part of "an anthology of scf-fi stories [he] borrowed from the
local library."
Dave Moore
Oct 10, 2012, 4:01:26 AM10/10/12
to
news:99f1436d-8770-4dd3...@b15g2000yqk.googlegroups.com...
=============================================
That's right. It was a hardcover anthology of sci-fi stories. My local
library had several of these at the time (late 1950s) and I read them all. I
recall the name August Derleth as an editor or co-editor of one of them, but
whether it was of the book in question I don't remember.
Dave
That's right. It was a hardcover anthology of sci-fi stories. My local
library had several of these at the time (late 1950s) and I read them all. I
recall the name August Derleth as an editor or co-editor of one of them, but
whether it was of the book in question I don't remember.
Dave
Michael Stemper
Oct 10, 2012, 8:40:53 AM10/10/12
to
In article <k53a0j$s7n$1...@speranza.aioe.org>, "Dave Moore" <da...@djmoorenospam.fsnet.co.uk> writes:
>"Butch Malahide" <fred....@gmail.com> wrote in message news:99f1436d-8770-4dd3...@b15g2000yqk.googlegroups.com...
>On Oct 9, 9:43 pm, Brenda Clough <BrendaWri...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> On 10/9/2012 7:17 PM, Dave Moore wrote:
>> >> I'm trying to remember the title (and/or author) of a short scf-fi
>> >> story I read in the late 1950s.
>>
>> >> I believe it was part of an anthology of scf-fi stories I borrowed from
>> >> the local library.
>>
>> >> The story was about a lone space traveller marooned on a lonely planet,
>> >> pining for Earth and the music he remembered hearing there. Special
>> >> mention
>> >> was given to the jazz number "St Louis Blues".
>"Butch Malahide" <fred....@gmail.com> wrote in message news:99f1436d-8770-4dd3...@b15g2000yqk.googlegroups.com...
>On Oct 9, 9:43 pm, Brenda Clough <BrendaWri...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> On 10/9/2012 7:17 PM, Dave Moore wrote:
>> >> I'm trying to remember the title (and/or author) of a short scf-fi
>> >> story I read in the late 1950s.
>>
>> >> I believe it was part of an anthology of scf-fi stories I borrowed from
>> >> the local library.
>>
>> >> The story was about a lone space traveller marooned on a lonely planet,
>> >> pining for Earth and the music he remembered hearing there. Special
>> >> mention
>> >> was given to the jazz number "St Louis Blues".
>> > What I remember, there were no aliens involved, just one lonely marooned
>> > spaceman sitting and gazing at a distant Sun, thinking of Earth, which
>> > he would never see again. Sad ending.
>>
>> > What really sticks in my mind was the mention of "St Louis Blues" as an
>> > example of the music on Earth. I didn't know the number when I read the
>> > story, but was prompted to find out more, and that led me to an interest
>> > in jazz, for which I am grateful.
>>
>> > I'm just curious about the story, and its author, and would like to read
>> > it again.
>>
>> > So, any further help would be much appreciated.
>> > spaceman sitting and gazing at a distant Sun, thinking of Earth, which
>> > he would never see again. Sad ending.
>>
>> > What really sticks in my mind was the mention of "St Louis Blues" as an
>> > example of the music on Earth. I didn't know the number when I read the
>> > story, but was prompted to find out more, and that led me to an interest
>> > in jazz, for which I am grateful.
>>
>> > I'm just curious about the story, and its author, and would like to read
>> > it again.
>>
>> > So, any further help would be much appreciated.
>> Where did you read it -- in a collection of short stories? A magazine?
>> Were there illustrations? Think about the paper -- was it newsprint, or
>> was it smoother and heavier? Think about the text -- was it set in two
>> columns, or did the words run right across the entire page?
>>
>> If it was over 50 years ago then the work appeared before 1962, yes?
>> That winnows it down a great deal.
>
>In the original post (quoted in the post you replied to) the OP stated
>explicitly that he read it "in the late 1950s" and that (he believes)
>it was part of "an anthology of scf-fi stories [he] borrowed from the
>local library."
>
>=============================================
>
>That's right. It was a hardcover anthology of sci-fi stories. My local
>library had several of these at the time (late 1950s) and I read them all. I
>recall the name August Derleth as an editor or co-editor of one of them, but
>whether it was of the book in question I don't remember.
Well, if it was edited by Derleth, you could go to the ISFDB's entry on him:
>> Were there illustrations? Think about the paper -- was it newsprint, or
>> was it smoother and heavier? Think about the text -- was it set in two
>> columns, or did the words run right across the entire page?
>>
>> If it was over 50 years ago then the work appeared before 1962, yes?
>> That winnows it down a great deal.
>
>In the original post (quoted in the post you replied to) the OP stated
>explicitly that he read it "in the late 1950s" and that (he believes)
>it was part of "an anthology of scf-fi stories [he] borrowed from the
>local library."
>
>=============================================
>
>That's right. It was a hardcover anthology of sci-fi stories. My local
>library had several of these at the time (late 1950s) and I read them all. I
>recall the name August Derleth as an editor or co-editor of one of them, but
>whether it was of the book in question I don't remember.
<http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?825>
Scrolling about half-way down the page shows the collections that he
edited. Reading their title list might jog your memory.
I picked one at random, _Worlds of Tomorrow_, and found that its lead
story is titled "The Dead Planet", which sounds like an appropriate
title for the story that you described. (Note that I've never read any
story in which "St. Louis Blues" played a role, nor have I ever read
any Hamilton.)
--
Michael F. Stemper
#include <Standard_Disclaimer>
Life's too important to take seriously.
chuck c.
Oct 10, 2012, 9:41:09 AM10/10/12
to
On Sunday, October 7, 2012 7:18:36 PM UTC-4, Dave Moore wrote:
> Hi Folks I'm trying to remember the title (and/or author) of a short scf-fi story I read in the late 1950s. I believe it was part of an anthology of scf-fi stories I borrowed from the local library. The story was about a lone space traveller marooned on a lonely planet, pining for Earth and the music he remembered hearing there. Special mention was given to the jazz number "St Louis Blues". Any suggestions gratefully received. Thanks in advance. Dave
I remember "The Deal Planet" very well--turns out the space explorers (rot-13) qvfpbire gung gur qrnq cynarg gurl unir qvfpbirerq vf Rnegu. I believe it was by Edmond Hamilton.
> Hi Folks I'm trying to remember the title (and/or author) of a short scf-fi story I read in the late 1950s. I believe it was part of an anthology of scf-fi stories I borrowed from the local library. The story was about a lone space traveller marooned on a lonely planet, pining for Earth and the music he remembered hearing there. Special mention was given to the jazz number "St Louis Blues". Any suggestions gratefully received. Thanks in advance. Dave
Cheers,
CC
Michael Stemper
Oct 10, 2012, 9:46:59 AM10/10/12
to
a lone traveller, so it's not the one you're looking for. <hand-wave>
But, I'd still recommend scanning the ISFDB listings for anthologies
edited by Derleth, as something might ring a bell.
Dave Moore
Oct 10, 2012, 10:18:01 AM10/10/12
to
"Michael Stemper" <mste...@walkabout.empros.com> wrote in message
news:k53u8i$4t6$1...@dont-email.me...
Planet," which has a completely different story line.
I once thought it might have been Arthur Clarke's "The Songs of Distant
Earth," since the title seemed appropriate, but it's not that one either.
As you say, it might be in another Derleth anthology, although the titles in
the list ring no bells. Maybe the Derleth connection is a red herring.
Whatever, it's proving to be a difficult search. I thought the "St Louis
Blues" connection might ring bells with others who had read the story, and
I've not given up hope yet.
Dave
Robert Carnegie
Oct 10, 2012, 11:00:40 AM10/10/12
to
On Wednesday, October 10, 2012 12:17:52 AM UTC+1, Dave Moore wrote:
> I don't recall much more about the story -- it was over 50 years ago, and I
> was very young :-)
>
> What I remember, there were no aliens involved, just one lonely marooned
> spaceman sitting and gazing at a distant Sun, thinking of Earth, which he
> would never see again. Sad ending.
>
> What really sticks in my mind was the mention of "St Louis Blues" as an
> example of the music on Earth. I didn't know the number when I read the
> story, but was prompted to find out more, and that led me to an interest in
> jazz, for which I am grateful.
>
> I'm just curious about the story, and its author, and would like to read it
> again.
>
> So, any further help would be much appreciated.
Can we get a read on /how/ distant the Sun is? It's nearer on
> I don't recall much more about the story -- it was over 50 years ago, and I
> was very young :-)
>
> What I remember, there were no aliens involved, just one lonely marooned
> spaceman sitting and gazing at a distant Sun, thinking of Earth, which he
> would never see again. Sad ending.
>
> What really sticks in my mind was the mention of "St Louis Blues" as an
> example of the music on Earth. I didn't know the number when I read the
> story, but was prompted to find out more, and that led me to an interest in
> jazz, for which I am grateful.
>
> I'm just curious about the story, and its author, and would like to read it
> again.
>
> So, any further help would be much appreciated.
Venus, of course, although whether you can see it depends on the
clouds, and, of course, on whether the author knows what Venus has
turned out to be actually like. If it's a visible disc, Mars
is possible, if a little chilly, which opens up Ray Bradbury
as author, and a visit or two by Roger Zelazny - whom I mention
just because he throws in details of cultural art like that.
Then there's the asteroids, and, for the gas giants, you're more
likely to be on a moon than "on" the planet itself. And on Pluto
you're basically looking at a star slightly brighter than the others.
And so to Proxima Centauri...
The music of "Saint Louis Blues" was published in 1914, which
lets in most of the possible sci-fi authors. I suppose that it
isn't going to be useful to consider which star systems it could
have possibly been transmitted to by radio by any given date,
at the speed of light. And I think we didn't send out space probes
with long-playing records on until the Voyagers in 1977.
<http://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/spacecraft/music.html> has the track
listing, which includes "Melancholy Blues" (aren't they always...
well, that probably isn't a unique observation), performed by
"Louis Armstrong and his Hot Seven" in 1927, and of course
"Blue (Da Ba Dee)" by Eiffel 65. Or not.
Kip Williams
Oct 10, 2012, 11:46:47 AM10/10/12
to
Is there any one sentence or substantial phrase that has managed to
stick in your memory? Sometimes one finds the entire story online this way.
Kip W
rasfw
stick in your memory? Sometimes one finds the entire story online this way.
Kip W
rasfw
Dave Moore
Oct 10, 2012, 1:05:53 PM10/10/12
to
"Kip Williams" <mrk...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:GLgds.2098$hh5....@newsfe03.iad...
After more than 50 years, no.
Only "St. Louis Blues"
Dave
news:GLgds.2098$hh5....@newsfe03.iad...
Only "St. Louis Blues"
Dave
Butch Malahide
Oct 14, 2012, 4:58:39 PM10/14/12
to Fred Galvin
> I'm trying to remember the title (and/or author) of a short scf-fi story I
> read in the late 1950s.
>
> I believe it was part of an anthology of scf-fi stories I borrowed from the
> local library.
>
> The story was about a lone space traveller marooned on a lonely planet,
> pining for Earth and the music he remembered hearing there. Special mention
> was given to the jazz number "St Louis Blues".
I reposted your query to the BookSleuth forum at abebooks.com, and I
> read in the late 1950s.
>
> I believe it was part of an anthology of scf-fi stories I borrowed from the
> local library.
>
> The story was about a lone space traveller marooned on a lonely planet,
> pining for Earth and the music he remembered hearing there. Special mention
> was given to the jazz number "St Louis Blues".
believe your story has been identified their by aokkittycat666:
http://forums.abebooks.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=abesleuthcom&msg=28151.1&ctx=0
The story is "Star Bride" by Anthony Boucher. A quotation from the
story:
[BEGIN QUOTE]
He just sits there by the waters and looks up at the blue star and
sings their sad folksongs with the funny names: _Saint Louis Blues_
and _Barbara Allen_ and _Lover, Come Back To Me_.
[END QUOTE]
Is that the one you're looking for? It differs in some respects from
your description. [SPOILER WARNING] The lonesome guy is a Martian, as
we learn on p. 3 of the 3-page story; up to then we've been led to
believe he's an Earthman. The Martians, apparently 100% humanoid
except for their green skin, have conquered Earth. Our jazz fan has
gone to Earth, and has married an Earthwoman in a quaint native
ceremony. Now he's back on Mars and, debilitated by space fever, he is
planetbound, and he misses his "star bride" and the songs of Earth.
If that's your story, here's the publication history:
http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?56712
If you read it in a hardcover in the late 1950s, it was probably one
of these:
http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?261665
http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?33344
http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?33345
Dave Moore
Oct 14, 2012, 6:10:38 PM10/14/12
to
news:0ea2ce4b-653d-4d5b...@n16g2000yqi.googlegroups.com...
===================================================
That's brilliant! Thank you so much -- and aokkittycat666 too.
It almost certainly is the story I had in mind, despite minor differences in
my recall due, no doubt, to the 50 years elapsed since I last read it.
The collection I read it in was most probably the UK edition of "Stories For
Tomorrow" edited by William Sloane. I also recall some of the other story
titles listed.
Now to try to obtain a copy of that book ...
Thanks again for your help. Much appreciated!
Dave
That's brilliant! Thank you so much -- and aokkittycat666 too.
It almost certainly is the story I had in mind, despite minor differences in
my recall due, no doubt, to the 50 years elapsed since I last read it.
The collection I read it in was most probably the UK edition of "Stories For
Tomorrow" edited by William Sloane. I also recall some of the other story
titles listed.
Now to try to obtain a copy of that book ...
Thanks again for your help. Much appreciated!
Dave
Don Kuenz
Oct 14, 2012, 10:46:41 PM10/14/12
to
Butch Malahide <fred....@gmail.com> wrote:
> [SPOILER WARNING] The lonesome guy is a Martian, as
> we learn on p. 3 of the 3-page story; up to then we've been led to
> believe he's an Earthman.
The anthology http://tinyurl.com/9e9gbec calls this a "short short
> [SPOILER WARNING] The lonesome guy is a Martian, as
> we learn on p. 3 of the 3-page story; up to then we've been led to
> believe he's an Earthman.
story." Editor Asimov explains, "in the short short story, everything
is eliminated but the point." As Butch more or less says, a plot twist
is the point of this story.
Writing a plot twist comes easy to me. A twisty plot exploits at least
a couple of story elements. It builds suspense until an unmistakable
climax, in the form of a plot twist, occurs.
The audience entertains itself by playing a round of "guess what
happens at the end." Like watching golden-age or silver-age TV drama,
guessing the end within the first five minutes, then sticking around
to see how well one did.
--
Don Kuenz
Robert Carnegie
Oct 15, 2012, 11:59:59 AM10/15/12
to Fred Galvin
On Sunday, October 14, 2012 9:58:39 PM UTC+1, Butch Malahide wrote:
> The story is "Star Bride" by Anthony Boucher. A quotation from the
> story:
>
> [BEGIN QUOTE]
> He just sits there by the waters and looks up at the blue star and
> sings their sad folksongs with the funny names: _Saint Louis Blues_
> and _Barbara Allen_ and _Lover, Come Back To Me_.
> [END QUOTE]
Well, then! He can see it fine.
> The story is "Star Bride" by Anthony Boucher. A quotation from the
> story:
>
> [BEGIN QUOTE]
> He just sits there by the waters and looks up at the blue star and
> sings their sad folksongs with the funny names: _Saint Louis Blues_
> and _Barbara Allen_ and _Lover, Come Back To Me_.
> [END QUOTE]
I called Mars! (And Venus, and the other solar planets except for
Mercury but including asteroids and Pluto, and also all other planets
in the universe.)
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