‘A Loint of Paw’ is the first of four double-page stories that all hinge on a pun or piece of wordplay. Those are both fairly lengthy, but there are a lot of much shorter works too. It wouldn’t be in my best of collection, but I’m sure there are people who like it just as much as the author. Yes, there’s a good idea behind it (as if there would be anything else!) but it hinges on sentimentality.

One choice that does surprise me is ‘The Ugly Little Boy.’ Whatever Asimov may say, I’ve always found this story one of his weakest. It’s as close to perfect as any short story I’ve read, equal parts scientific and philosophical. ‘The Last Question’ is an epoch-spanning, idea-focused story that tells the story of the entire future. Some of the stories are obvious choices, while others come as a surprise. And a book you don’t remember reading is as good as a book you haven’t read.Īs the cover tells us, these are essentially Isaac Asimov’s favourite stories from his own writing. It’s possible I have read these stories before. Now, I haven’t done a full check of my shelves. Because this best of collection contained something very rare. Asimov wrote dozens of collections, and I’ve got them all. Which is what makes this collection so remarkable. It’s taken me many years, but I’m on the cusp of completing my journey through the Good Doctor’s fiction. The only work of Asimov fiction I know I’m missing is The Return of the Black Widowers, and even that one features other authors. I love both his novels and his shorter work equally, and ever since I first discovered Foundation I’ve been hunting down his work. He is one of those rare writers who managed a long career of both quantity and quality. In fact, I have a whole bookcase dedicated to him.

A collection of 28 short stories, each with an author’s introduction.

Books by asimov