Looking for SciFi short story, help please...

June · 01-02-2009, 11:20 AM

... I figured this is the best place to ask...

Years and years ago (maybe 15-20 years ago or so) I read a sci-fi short story, it was part of a collection, but I can't remember if it was an anthology or by whom it might have been written.

The "story" is one that I haven't forgotten, I've been looking for it for years, I'd really like to re-read the story (it's probably a really lousy one, but still). It's not in teh Arthur C.Clarke collection of short stories, so it's probably not his, but that's all I know...

So - I was hoping someone here has read it and remembers by whom it is... Although my recollections of it are very vague, so it might be impossible to find.

What I remember is: the story is set on planet Earth that has been pushed out of orbit for some reason, traveling further from the sun all the time (or maybe the sun was dying but that's illogical). The weather is very cold, and the surviving people lived indoors, had layers of blankets over doorways etc, because all the oxygen had frozen and was on the ground as snow, so they brought in bucketfuls of it to thaw to get oxygen... (hmm... better forget about the logical bit, huh). And that's about all that I remember...

Anyhow - this one would be fun to find, it was one of the first sci-fi stories I ever read.

Also recomendations for other good dystopia-type sci-fi stories would be appreciated, or alternate history.

desertgrandma · 01-02-2009, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by June

... I figured this is the best place to ask...

Years and years ago (maybe 15-20 years ago or so) I read a sci-fi short story, it was part of a collection, but I can't remember if it was an anthology or by whom it might have been written.

The "story" is one that I haven't forgotten, I've been looking for it for years, I'd really like to re-read the story (it's probably a really lousy one, but still). It's not in teh Arthur C.Clarke collection of short stories, so it's probably not his, but that's all I know...

So - I was hoping someone here has read it and remembers by whom it is... Although my recollections of it are very vague, so it might be impossible to find.

What I remember is: the story is set on planet Earth that has been pushed out of orbit for some reason, traveling further from the sun all the time (or maybe the sun was dying but that's illogical). The weather is very cold, and the surviving people lived indoors, had layers of blankets over doorways etc, because all the oxygen had frozen and was on the ground as snow, so they brought in bucketfuls of it to thaw to get oxygen... (hmm... better forget about the logical bit, huh). And that's about all that I remember...

Anyhow - this one would be fun to find, it was one of the first sci-fi stories I ever read.

Also recomendations for other good dystopia-type sci-fi stories would be appreciated, or alternate history.

I have that collection!! Hang on a sec................

desertgrandma · 01-02-2009, 11:32 AM

"A Pail of Air"

by Fritz Leiber

desertgrandma · 01-02-2009, 11:33 AM

The book that I have is an old one......

"Catastrophes!"

A collection of different ways the world, universe can end.

Wonderful reads.

Greg Anos · 01-02-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by June

... I figured this is the best place to ask...

Years and years ago (maybe 15-20 years ago or so) I read a sci-fi short story, it was part of a collection, but I can't remember if it was an anthology or by whom it might have been written.

The "story" is one that I haven't forgotten, I've been looking for it for years, I'd really like to re-read the story (it's probably a really lousy one, but still). It's not in teh Arthur C.Clarke collection of short stories, so it's probably not his, but that's all I know...

So - I was hoping someone here has read it and remembers by whom it is... Although my recollections of it are very vague, so it might be impossible to find.

What I remember is: the story is set on planet Earth that has been pushed out of orbit for some reason, traveling further from the sun all the time (or maybe the sun was dying but that's illogical). The weather is very cold, and the surviving people lived indoors, had layers of blankets over doorways etc, because all the oxygen had frozen and was on the ground as snow, so they brought in bucketfuls of it to thaw to get oxygen... (hmm... better forget about the logical bit, huh). And that's about all that I remember...

Anyhow - this one would be fun to find, it was one of the first sci-fi stories I ever read.

Also recomendations for other good dystopia-type sci-fi stories would be appreciated, or alternate history.

The story is Fritz Leiber's A Pail of Air (or was it bucket? Try both titles.) Try his Catch That Zepplin! or his Change War stories...

June · 01-02-2009, 11:40 AM

Ohhh... Thank You! I'm off looking for it!

All these years, and here I get an answer within minutes

desertgrandma · 01-02-2009, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by June

Ohhh... Thank You! I'm off looking for it!

All these years, and here I get an answer within minutes

I got mine from Amazon, under "used and new" because it was published in 1981. Good luck on getting yours! I"m sure the story was re-printed in many books.

DDHarriman · 01-02-2009, 12:44 PM

Hi June

For alternate history, here for sure: http://www.uchronia.net

Best reading,

June · 01-03-2009, 02:15 AM

Thank you again y'all!

I found a used book "The Best of Fritz Leiber" via Amazon - thanks for that hint!

And then I decided to look at the wikipedia page for the story, A Pail of Air, and it had a link to a collection with the story on Baen Books if anybody else wants to read it.

And... it was still a good read, despite time having gilded my memories. Definitely a keeper

desertgrandma · 01-03-2009, 10:07 AM

June, there are wonderful Science Fiction stories uploaded her for you to download for free.

Check them out!

01-02-2009, 11:20 AM	#1
June Addict Posts: 306 Karma: 4508151 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Scandinavia Device: Kobo Libra, Oasis 1&2 and others	Looking for SciFi short story, help please... ... I figured this is the best place to ask... Years and years ago (maybe 15-20 years ago or so) I read a sci-fi short story, it was part of a collection, but I can't remember if it was an anthology or by whom it might have been written. The "story" is one that I haven't forgotten, I've been looking for it for years, I'd really like to re-read the story (it's probably a really lousy one, but still). It's not in teh Arthur C.Clarke collection of short stories, so it's probably not his, but that's all I know... So - I was hoping someone here has read it and remembers by whom it is... Although my recollections of it are very vague, so it might be impossible to find. What I remember is: the story is set on planet Earth that has been pushed out of orbit for some reason, traveling further from the sun all the time (or maybe the sun was dying but that's illogical). The weather is very cold, and the surviving people lived indoors, had layers of blankets over doorways etc, because all the oxygen had frozen and was on the ground as snow, so they brought in bucketfuls of it to thaw to get oxygen... (hmm... better forget about the logical bit, huh). And that's about all that I remember... Anyhow - this one would be fun to find, it was one of the first sci-fi stories I ever read. Also recomendations for other good dystopia-type sci-fi stories would be appreciated, or alternate history.

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01-02-2009, 11:32 AM	#3
desertgrandma Enjoying the show.... Posts: 14,270 Karma: 10462841 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Device: A K1, Kindle Paperwhite, an Ipod, IPad2, Iphone, an Ipad Mini & macAir	"A Pail of Air" by Fritz Leiber

01-02-2009, 11:33 AM	#4
desertgrandma Enjoying the show.... Posts: 14,270 Karma: 10462841 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Device: A K1, Kindle Paperwhite, an Ipod, IPad2, Iphone, an Ipad Mini & macAir	The book that I have is an old one...... "Catastrophes!" A collection of different ways the world, universe can end. Wonderful reads.

01-02-2009, 11:40 AM	#6
June Addict Posts: 306 Karma: 4508151 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Scandinavia Device: Kobo Libra, Oasis 1&2 and others	Ohhh... Thank You! I'm off looking for it! All these years, and here I get an answer within minutes

01-02-2009, 12:44 PM	#8
DDHarriman Guru Posts: 860 Karma: 4380 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Almada, Portugal Device: Cybook Gen3, Sony PRS 505, Kindle DXG and Samsung Galaxy Note	Hi June For alternate history, here for sure: http://www.uchronia.net Best reading,

01-03-2009, 02:15 AM	#9
June Addict Posts: 306 Karma: 4508151 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Scandinavia Device: Kobo Libra, Oasis 1&2 and others	Thank you again y'all! I found a used book "The Best of Fritz Leiber" via Amazon - thanks for that hint! And then I decided to look at the wikipedia page for the story, A Pail of Air, and it had a link to a collection with the story on Baen Books if anybody else wants to read it. And... it was still a good read, despite time having gilded my memories. Definitely a keeper

01-03-2009, 10:07 AM	#10
desertgrandma Enjoying the show.... Posts: 14,270 Karma: 10462841 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Device: A K1, Kindle Paperwhite, an Ipod, IPad2, Iphone, an Ipad Mini & macAir	June, there are wonderful Science Fiction stories uploaded her for you to download for free. Check them out!

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