Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: Notesfiles $Revision: 1.6.2.17 $; site uiucdcs.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxj!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!uiucdcs!render
From: render@uiucdcs.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers
Subject: Re: Harlan Ellison
Message-ID: <12500091@uiucdcs.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 2-Nov-84 14:02:00 EST
Article-I.D.: uiucdcs.12500091
Posted: Fri Nov  2 14:02:00 1984
Date-Received: Mon, 5-Nov-84 21:10:56 EST
Lines: 22
Nf-ID: #N:uiucdcs:12500091:000:1081
Nf-From: uiucdcs!render    Nov  2 13:02:00 1984

{You can't have everything--where would you put it?}


Regarding the recent note concerning the "morbidity" and lack of humanity of
Harlan Ellison, I find it hard to believe that anyone who has read any fair 
share of his work could question his feeling for people.  Admittedly some of 
his stories are grim (i.e. "I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream") and most 
exhibit a cynical view of the human race, but it obviously stems from his deep
concern for the poor way in which we present ourselves as a supposedly wise
and caring species.  Such works as "Jeffty is Five" and "Repent! Harlequin,
Cried the Ticktockman" are warm, funny and supremely humane, while still
challenging us to better ourselves.  I would much rather read the works of a 
man who dares us to be what we should, as opposed to the stories of many
authors who merely congratulate us on being such a grand folk.

                                  Comments, anyone?


                                  Hal Render
                                  U. of Illinois
                                  (uiucdcsb!render)