This 1988 edition of City (pictured above) contains a ninth tale, not included in earlier editions of this remarkable book, and an author's forward. Known as a 'fix-up' book, containing stories published separately between 1944-1951, it was then published in 1952 with interlinking tales that explain how the stories are fragments of a greater narrative. The ninth story, or Epilog, was first published separately in 1973. This edition begins with the rather sobering words: "City was written out of disillusion." Simak had lived through WWII and had despaired at its devastation. City is a rumination on what the future could hold for humanity, however Simak's visions of the future are unlike any other typical dystopias or utopias encountered in science fiction. The interlinked tales are woven together with brief extrapolations regarding their veracity and origins, how they came to be part of 'Doggish lore', for in City dogs are intelligent and can speak, having been given that capacity by the Webster family, who feature from the very first tale. Not only are there talking dogs, but there are also robots, in particular the servant robot, Jenkins, who features throughout the book. Robots, talking dogs and the future of humanity? You might consider that you'd know how the tales found in City will play out, but, once again, Simak produced work that defies typical science fiction tropes. Simak's writing is a curious blend of fable, fantasy, science fiction and folklore. It's a bit baggy and, indeed, shaggy, but is irrepressibly endearing because of these very tendencies.
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| Clifford D Simak, contemplating the future of humanity. |
Within these tales humanity's future is marked by both stasis and expansion, some humans who have settled away from cities (as most of humanity end up doing, despite the title) find themselves becoming agoraphobic and in later stories many end up in virtual reality suspended animation. Some, whilst exploring a highly improbable conception of Jupiter, find escape into ecstasies of alien existence. Others are beginning humanity's exploration of the stars and disappear for good, others still become human mutant outliers, experts in logic, theory and their practical applications. Their impact on ants turns out to be significant, but no spoilers here. However it is the dogs that are at the heart of these tales, after all, they inherit the Earth and ponder the past via their Doggish fables of times long gone. They develop a sophisticated society over the eons, with the aid of the robots, the faithful servants of both humans and dogs. There's just enough weirdness and intrigue to keep the reader engaged, but Simak is careful not to reveal too much, keeping you wanting more. Probably my favourite parts of City involves the concept of 'cobblies', entities who live in other parallel worlds, with some of them slipping through to Earth, with unintended consequences. I'm surprised that City has never been made into a television series, or at least a movie, it would make an excellent visual narrative, but I could not find any mention of it ever being optioned in any way. Although eight of the nine stories here were written and published during WWII, they have aged well, perhaps because the notion that humanity is inherently fatally flawed is still persuasive. Also the concepts involved and the style in which they are presented are remarkably contemporary. Fortunately when I found my copy of City in a kooky second hand book store (Bella's Second Hand Book Store), I also bought six other Simak books, so I'm looking forward to more Simak thrills to come.
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| Two beautiful editions of City |
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