I thought it would be fun to post the original reviews of Dangerous Visions. I remember 1967 well, but far from perfect. I subscribed to these magazines at the time, and I’m fairly sure I read these reviews. I remember in both the prozines and fanzines how the excitement for Dangerous Visions grew. It became legendary in its own time.
For me, these reviews are a blast from the past that remind me of my own life. More and more I identified with the science fiction community. I hope these reviews might reveal the past to younger people just now discovering Dangerous Visions. To me, DV is a time capsule for understanding 1967 that goes beyond the subculture of science fiction. Although science fiction often appears to be about the future, it’s always about the present.
First up is Judith Merril in the December 1967 issue of The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. That month was also significant to me because it’s when I went to see The Graduate at the movies. It was its own kind of dangerous vision. I believe all the arts were going through a revolution back then.
Next up is Algis Budrys, in the April 1968 issue of Galaxy. That seemed like a late review. I wonder how Merril got such an early jump on things?
Finally, there’s P. Schuyler Miller’s review in the May 1968 issue of Analog.
James Wallace Harris, 5/26/24
