An anthology, and thus, by definition spotty. There are no obviouslyscience fiction stories here, more of fantasy and horror. The works are from before 1954. The Silken-Swift; The Professor's Teddy-Bear; Bianca's Hands; A Saucer of Loneliness; The World Well Lost; It Wasn't Syzygy; The Music; Scars; Fluffy; The Sex Opposition", are the most well known. ( )

Here is a collection designed to either expand your consciousness or blow your mind. Thirteen short stories, mostly dark fantasy, plus a few science fiction tales, a few twisted tales of crime, and a western story all written by a master of the short form.

“The Silken-swift” is a fantasy in which the unicorn chooses between the virtuous virgin and the mean girl version of virgin.
In “The professor's teddy-bear” a monster disguised as a plush toy magically manipulate a child’s mind to cause mayhem and death.
Although, she is in most parts unattractive “Bianca's hands” are so alluring that a young man, entranced by them, defies the advice of his neighbors to fulfill a morbid desire.
A chance encounter with a UFO leaves a young woman with a unique state of social isolation in “A saucer of loneliness.”
“The world well lost” is a view inside the closet of the 1950s set in the far future.
“It wasn't syzygy” is a surreal forerunner of The Gone-Away World by Nick Harkaway.
“The music” is a short, sharp as a cat’s claw morsel of flash fiction that predates the term flash fiction.
“Scars” is a laconically told tale of chivalry in the Old West.
In “Fluffy,” a con man is outsmarted by his feline nemesis.
“ The sex opposite” takes up the themes of syzygy and parthenogenesis introduced in “It wasn't syzygy.” This time starting in the morgue.
Aesop's fable of the “Farmer and the Viper” is played out in jazz jive by a wigged out resentful crumb in “Die, Maestro, Die!”
Don’t think you can intimidate your new “Cellmate” because of his odd physique. You may find you’re not the one in charge.
“A way of thinking” that is unusual can result in a killer turned into a weapon and a weapon that looks like the killer. ( )

Not for me. ( )

"Essay on Sturgeon" by Groff Conklin - Who is this guy and why on
earth did he write this introduction? It’s terrible. Complete with
gratuitous references to Sturgeon’s “lovely wife.” Thank goodness I’d
already read Sturgeon, or this intro might have turned me off…

"The Silken-Swift" - This is the story that justifies the cover art. I wouldn't say that the cover is really very indicative of the overall content of the book; but this is, technically, a fairy-tale, with a unicorn. However, it's more complex and disturbing than one might expect.

"The Professor's Teddy-Bear" - an evil teddy bear gives a child waking dreams in which he kills people horribly. But are they dreams or visions of things to come?

"Bianca's Hands" - a young man develops a disturbing obsession for a retarded woman. Things do not end up well.

"Saucer of Loneliness" - a UFO - or a message in a bottle? The only woman to have communicated with aliens refuses to tell what she has learned. Beautiful, powerful, and surprisingly positive...

"The World Well Lost" - Hard to talk about with spoilers... like so many short stories! Sad, revealing, and surprisingly sensitive.

"It Wasn't Syzygy" - A man meets a woman who seems perfect for him - almost too perfect to be true. And, of course, there's a reason.

"The Music" - A one-and-one-half-page long horror story. Creepy, for all its brevity!

"Scars" - A Western story... out on the range, one guy relates what it means to be called a 'gentleman' to another. Some good moments, but probably the weakest story of the collection.

"Fluffy" - May be the nastiest cat portrayed in fiction!

"The Sex Opposite" - A CSI-style tale of a medical examiner called in to investigate a brutal crime. Apparently, a pair of conjoined twins has been murdered, their bodies mutilated. But the events that unfold are even weirder that they initially appeared...

"Die, Maestro, Die!" - Jealousy and murder tear a jazz band apart...

"Cellmate" - You seriously, seriously do not want to be stuck in jail with this guy.

"A Way of Thinking" - A philosophical and nasty tale of a voodoo doll.

So - overall, I'd say this collection is mostly horror, with a bit of sci-fi & fantasy thrown in. However, it's hard to convey in a brief summary how really good these stories are. Sturgeon was truly a master. It's also remarkable how very non-dated most of them feel. Many of them could have been published this year: the characterization, the psychology, it all feels fresh and true. It's hard to believe that these were published in the 40's and 50's. ( )

This collection of short stories provides both science fiction and fantasy, demonstrating Sturgeon’s blend of pathos and provocation, making it a good introduction to an under-appreciated early master of the genres.