Astounding Science Fiction: Ribbon in the Sky
Available At:
About
Murray Leinster’s science fiction short story “Ribbon in the Sky” was initially published in the Astounding Science Fiction magazine in June 1957. The tale follows a team of scientists sent to explore a peculiar ribbon-shaped entity in the sky that telescopes had detected. As they approach the object, the group realizes it is a highly advanced and intelligent form of life. They communicate with the entity, discovering its culture, history, and lifestyle.
However, the scientists uncover a sinister secret about the ribbon’s intentions, leading them to race against time to stop its plans from causing destruction and chaos on Earth. “Ribbon in the Sky” is a classic science fiction narrative that highlights Murray Leinster’s ability to create intricate and imaginative worlds, exploring communication, exploration, and the potential risks of encountering advanced civilizations.
In the science fiction masterpiece by Murray Leinster, “An error is a denial of reality, but mistakes are mere mental malfunctions.” Calhoun, a Med Ship Man in the Interstellar Medical Services, aims to study and advance through the ranks. When he mistakenly lands on a plague planet, his primary concern is how his career will be impacted. His subsequent focus is on finding a way to stop the disease’s spread and return home, making him the only medical officer on the planet with his companion, Murgatroyd.
Praise for this book
5.0 out of 5 stars
A lesser-known gem from one of the Golden Age greats
Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2024
Verified Purchase
Murray Leinster isn't a name that people instantly know, like Asimov, but from the 1920s on--particularly after World War II--this man produced something like almost 2,000 stories. A bunch are great. More are terrible. And there are those like "Ribbon in the Sky" that are pretty good, especially for fans of classic sci-fi.Part of the story's charm is discovering, along with the protagonist, Calhoun, what's happening, but suffice to say that the overarching plot is a variation of the lost-at-sea story wherein a remote, unfamiliar culture with potentially dark secrets is encountered for the first time. It is well-written, with none of the naval gazing and verbosity that were so common in the age of pennies-per-word freelance work, and is instead rather crisp, and it does not drag. For the most part, too, this reproduction is well done. There are few duplicated sentences and one or two obviously misplaced words, but they in no way detract from the story--and let's be honest, almost every book has a little bit of that stuff.
This is highly recommended for sci-fi fans and pulp fans. I know it's cliche, but it's unfortunate that they just don't do them this way anymore.
5.0 out of 5 stars Immersive, Foretelling and a Treat
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2024
Verified Purchase
It is thankful that classic science fiction writing like "Astounding Science Fiction: Ribbon in the Sky" by famous science fiction author Murray Leinster has been rediscovered and made available to a new generation. The novella follows the adventures of a deep space journey into the unknown in search of a ribbon-shaped phenomenon. The story's telling is in the style of the time of its writing while its foretelling of modern technologies is quite forward-thinking. The story is original and not derivative, allowing the reader to delve deep and enjoy the mysterious journey, which is engaging and interesting. A piece of history...and the future.