[The Facebook group Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Short Fiction is discussing one story a week from Dangerous Visions.]

Harlan Ellison makes a big to do about Miriam Allen deFord being an old lady in his introduction. She was born in 1888. I assume Ellison wanted us to picture a sweet little old woman before reading her story, “The Malley System.” Now I have to wonder what sick thoughts little old grannies are entertaining.

“The Malley System” opens with scene of child molestation and murder. In quick succession it goes through several more gruesome scenes. You begin to wonder if this story is just a smorgasbord of cruelty. Then you get to the science fictional explanation, which adds an extra bit of nasty horror.

Why is Dangerous Visions considered a classic of science fiction? Why isn’t it famous for being an anthology of horror? I’ve never been a fan of that genre. I don’t even like mysteries and thrillers. I get no vicarious thrills from virtual violence. I love science fiction for its sense of wonder. This anthology is full of visions of the grotesque.

I recently reread Ellison’s “A Boy and His Dog,” an extremely popular story of his. But it’s about a serial rapist who ends up feeding one of his victims to his dog. You know, I’m starting to wonder about Ellison’s psychology. I bet he loved EC Comics.

I just canceled my pre-order for Again, Dangerous Visions. I’m not sure how much more Dangerous Visions I can take. I’ve already reread some of the next few stories, and they are a gore fest. Why didn’t I remember how depressing this anthology was from when I read it as a kid? Is that the nature of childhood, to like this kind of fucked up shit?

Reading this story was about as much fun as removing the two dead decayed rats from my attic two weeks ago.

Still, I was impressed with how deFord threw in made-up science fiction bits. For an old lady, she kept up with the times.

James Wallace Harris, 6/2/24