Nine Hundred Grandmothers

Nine Hundred Grandmothers is a collection of short science fiction stories published in 1970 by R.A. Lafferty. The stories were written between 1960 and 1970, originally appearing in various science fiction magazines. The collection takes its name from the opening story about space explorers who discover a planet of beings with living ancestors going back hundreds of generations. Other tales in the book feature encounters with aliens, time travel, and alternate histories, all told through Lafferty's distinct narrative voice. The stories blend science fiction concepts with elements of folk tales, mythology, and Catholic theology. Lafferty approaches complex ideas about human nature, reality, and consciousness through a mix of humor and philosophical speculation. The collection demonstrates Lafferty's unique contribution to science fiction literature, challenging conventional genre boundaries while exploring fundamental questions about history, culture, and the nature of truth. His work influenced later authors who merged literary experimentation with speculative fiction.

Readers describe this short story collection as weird, unpredictable, and unlike standard science fiction. Many note its blend of Irish folklore, Catholic themes, and offbeat humor. Readers appreciate: - Original ideas and unexpected plot directions - Folksy, conversational writing style - Mix of humor and philosophical themes - Stories that reward multiple readings Common criticisms: - Difficult to follow plots - Uneven quality between stories - Writing style can feel rambling - Some stories lack satisfying endings Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (246 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (21 ratings) Multiple reviewers point to "Nine Hundred Grandmothers," "Narrow Valley," and "Slow Tuesday Night" as standout stories. Several mention the dated gender roles and occasionally dense prose as drawbacks. One frequent comment is that the stories work better when read slowly over time rather than all at once. Reader quote: "Like drinking from a fire hose of weird ideas - some hit, some miss, but there's nothing else quite like it."

A Highly Unlikely Scenario by Rachel Cantor A pizza company call center operator travels through time and space while consulting with historical figures in a world where fast food franchises operate as philosophical-religious entities.

The Third Policeman by Flann O'Brien A dead man wanders through an absurdist Irish countryside where bicycles merge with their riders and policemen collect atoms from the roads.

The Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington A 92-year-old woman discovers a surreal conspiracy in her retirement home involving mystical quests, transformed nuns, and a supernatural plot spanning centuries.

The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov Satan arrives in Soviet Moscow with a talking cat and creates chaos while interweaving a story about Pontius Pilate and a writer who made a deal with the devil.

Gravitys Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon A sprawling narrative follows multiple characters through World War II and its aftermath while exploring rocket science, paranoia, and mystical conspiracies.

🔖 "Nine Hundred Grandmothers" was first published in 1970 and is a collection of 21 short stories, showcasing Lafferty's unique blend of folk tales, science fiction, and metaphysical themes. 🖋️ R.A. Lafferty worked as an electrical engineer for over 30 years before becoming a full-time writer at age 45, bringing his technical knowledge and life experience into his imaginative storytelling. 📚 The title story follows an astronaut who discovers an alien civilization where people can recall memories from all their ancestors, effectively having access to 900 generations of grandmothers' memories. 🏆 Several stories from this collection received critical acclaim, with "Slow Tuesday Night" being particularly praised for its satirical take on an accelerated future where entire lifetimes of events occur within a single evening. 🌟 Despite being considered a science fiction author, Lafferty's writing style was so distinctive and unconventional that fellow author Gene Wolfe once said, "There is no way to categorize him except as a Lafferty story."