Ease Reading-Find Your Next Favorite Book

Hot Search

A Song for Lya: And Other Stories

george r.r. martin

... Show More
Two telepaths investigate the newly discovered world of Shkea, where every native inhabitant, and an increasing number of human colonists, worships a mysterious and deadly parasite. Winner of the 1975 Hugo Award for Best Novella.

Other short stories in this collection:

With morning comes mistfall
The second kind of loneliness
Override
Dark, dark were the tunnels
The hero
Fta
Run to starlight
The exit to San Breta
Slide show

228 pages, Paperback

First published February 1,1976
Literary awards
hugo award, locus award, 

This edition

Format
228 pages, Paperback
Published
April 1, 2001 by Babbage Pr
ISBN
9781930235113
ASIN
1930235119
Language
English

More editions

About the author

Profile Image for george r.r. martin

george r.r. martin

... Show More
George Raymond Richard "R.R." Martin was born September 20, 1948, in Bayonne, New Jersey. His father was Raymond Collins Martin, a longshoreman, and his mother was Margaret Brady Martin. He has two sisters, Darleen Martin Lapinski and Janet Martin Patten.

Martin attended Mary Jane Donohoe School and Marist High School. He began writing very young, selling monster stories to other neighborhood children for pennies, dramatic readings included. Later he became a comic book fan and collector in high school, and began to write fiction for comic fanzines (amateur fan magazines). Martin's first professional sale was made in 1970 at age 21: The Hero, sold to Galaxy, published in February, 1971 issue. Other sales followed.

In 1970 Martin received a B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, graduating summa cum laude. He went on to complete a M.S. in Journalism in 1971, also from Northwestern.

As a conscientious objector, Martin did alternative service 1972-1974 with VISTA, attached to Cook County Legal Assistance Foundation. He also directed chess tournaments for the Continental Chess Association from 1973-1976, and was a Journalism instructor at Clarke College, Dubuque, Iowa, from 1976-1978. He wrote part-time throughout the 1970s while working as a VISTA Volunteer, chess director, and teacher.

In 1975 he married Gale Burnick. They divorced in 1979, with no children. Martin became a full-time writer in 1979. He was writer-in-residence at Clarke College from 1978-79.

Moving on to Hollywood, Martin signed on as a story editor for Twilight Zone at CBS Television in 1986. In 1987 Martin became an Executive Story Consultant for Beauty and the Beast at CBS. In 1988 he became a Producer for Beauty and the Beast, then in 1989 moved up to Co-Supervising Producer. He was Executive Producer for Doorways, a pilot which he wrote for Columbia Pictures Television, which was filmed during 1992-93.

Martin's present home is Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is a member of Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (he was South-Central Regional Director 1977-1979, and Vice President 1996-1998), and of Writers' Guild of America, West.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/george...

Readers also enjoyed

Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
32(32%)
4 stars
33(33%)
3 stars
35(35%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Aprella-chan
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
Since the sixth installment of "A Song of Ice and Fire" has not yet been released, I delved into its beginnings with these excellent science fiction tales. And it's no wonder they won the Hugo Award.

In each of them, we are quickly immersed in well-constructed stellar worlds. But moreover, the stories are not only exciting for their fiction but also handle the emotional planes. It speaks of love, but under metaphysical conceptions and explained under criteria that within the story, humans fail to understand. It speaks of other solitudes, of magic and the belief in strange events... It speaks of everyday feelings but transported to other worlds.

These tales offer a unique blend of imaginative settings and profound emotional explorations. They take us on journeys beyond our own reality, allowing us to experience new perspectives and emotions. Whether it's the wonder of discovering a new planet or the heartbreak of a lost love in a distant galaxy, these stories have the power to captivate and move us.

Overall, they serve as a reminder of the limitless possibilities of science fiction and its ability to touch our hearts and minds.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
makuras
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More

I think it is a good book. However, since it is a compilation of stories, it is clear that there will be some better than others. In my opinion, the best one was the one that gave the title to the book. It had a unique charm and a captivating plot that kept me engaged from start to finish. The characters were well-developed and the writing style was very流畅. I also liked the other stories in the book, but this one stood out the most for me. It made me think about life and爱情 in a different way. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading short stories.

0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Holokaii
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
It's a rite of passage for all young science fiction writers to take on a few well-known tropes. The loneliness of the universe can drive men crazy. The mutated aftermath of nuclear war is another common theme. And then there's space football.

George R.R. Martin adds his own unique touch to these tropes (and also includes a few surprises) in this collection. While not all the subject matter is entirely groundbreaking, the stories are well-written and generally inventive. Some of the standouts are:

"With Morning Comes Mistfall" - This is a parable about the human desire to either solve or disprove all the mysteries of life. It might be a bit obvious, but the subject matter really speaks to me. And as I mentioned, Martin's writing is excellent.

"Override" - This story is about a workforce of zombies and the men who love, or rather, maintain them. It's an exciting action-packed tale.

"A Song for Lya" - This story is both poignant and thought-provoking. It's a great exploration of a trope that I didn't mention earlier: telepathy.

To be honest, this collection is probably a solid 3.5 stars. But I'll give it a boost if only because of that magnificently strange and psychedelic cover.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Sibit360
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More

Cuentos de la edad de oro de la ciencia ficción. Pero no los mejores. Estos cuentos son una muestra de la riqueza y la diversidad de la ciencia ficción en aquel período.


Aunque no sean los mejores, todavía tienen mucho que ofrecer. Algunos cuentos presentan ideas innovadoras y fascinantes, mientras que otros exploran temas clásicos de la ciencia ficción de una manera única.


Además, la escritura en la edad de oro de la ciencia ficción era a menudo muy buena, con una narrativa atrapante y personajes bien desarrollados. Aunque no todos los cuentos son perfectos, son una parte importante de la historia de la ciencia ficción y merecen ser leídos y disfrutados.

0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
TheLe0
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
He has good stories, but there are 3 that almost put me to sleep:

1) And seven times I say: Thou shalt not kill man

2) The black darkness of the tunnels

3) Nor the multicolored flames of a stellar ring

The rest are indeed entertaining.

However, it's important to note that everyone has different tastes when it comes to stories. What one person finds soporific, another might find fascinating. Maybe these particular stories didn't resonate with me due to their themes or writing styles. But that doesn't mean they're not good stories in general. It's just a matter of personal preference.

Nonetheless, I still appreciate the author's effort in creating these stories. There are always elements that can be learned from, even in the ones that don't quite hit the mark for me. And who knows, maybe upon a second reading, I might discover something new and interesting in those "soporific" stories.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Kezedrix
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
For the first time in Spanish, we can enjoy those short works of Martin venturing into science fiction, with no less success than he did in epic fantasy.

Each of the stories in this anthology is a profound philosophical and existential debate, in the best style of Isaac Asimov. The metaphysical analysis of the human species reaches a density that is only possible in the genre of science fiction due to its power of abstraction, whether in alien, robotic, or inexplicable science forms, which generate a wonderful, contrasting otherness, and that Martin exploits wonderfully (especially in "A Song for Lya", the short novel that gives the book its title), moving us to tears, knocking down structures, mobilizing, and inviting the most intimate reflection.

Martin's foray into science fiction is a welcome addition to his already impressive body of work. His ability to craft complex and thought-provoking stories is on full display in this anthology, and readers are sure to be captivated by his unique vision of the future. Whether you're a fan of science fiction or just looking for something new and exciting to read, this book is definitely worth checking out.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Fantie
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
The stories presented in this history are extremely great and also predictable.

However, it is not the kind of prediction that makes you bored to know, but rather the kind that makes you terrified to know. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't happen, and that makes the story very exciting.

In addition, social issues of our world are inserted into the science fiction worlds that Martin created. Sincerely, it is exceptional. I really loved it a lot.

The way Martin weaves these elements together is truly remarkable. His ability to create vivid and engaging fictional universes while also addressing real-world concerns is a testament to his talent as a writer.

The predictability aspect adds an interesting layer to the stories, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat, wondering if and when the predicted events will actually occur.

Overall, this history is a must-read for anyone who enjoys science fiction and thought-provoking storytelling.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Akaike
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
George always presents remarkable ideas in his work. However, these ideas may not resonate with everyone.

I find myself unable to resist appreciating the elements in Sci-Fi books that have nothing to do with Sci-Fi itself. For instance, the exploration of relationships, be they platonic or romantic, is truly captivating.

Admittedly, some parts might seem rather corny. But considering the scope of the story, it's hard to envision how else these aspects could have been explored.

I also ponder the extent of overlap between the Grieshka of this world and the Children of the Forest in ASOIAF. This comparison offers some fascinating perspectives that I intend to apply when rereading that series in the future.

Overall, it's a solid read, deserving of a 4/5 rating.

0 0 Reply
Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.