drussell440
3/24/2015
An enchanting, satisfying and perfectly paced story with a wonderfully gripping, if not slightly predictable end.
What makes this a perfect book is the beatuiful and vivid descriptions of the characters and setting, wich is clearly something Simak loved in his childhood.
It also has a refreshingly different attitude to alien life. Galactic visitors in general are fascinating and kindly souls and diverse culture and interests they bring is celebrated. Of course this is spoilt by the few... but that plotline will not be spoiled. For this reason this stands out among other works of the time for its lack of paranoia and acceptance of differences (except of course by select members of the Human Race in neighbouring villages of course).
Those who love Ray Bradbury and works like the Martian Chronicles, but found his prose sometimes over long and wearisome should convert immediately to Simak.
I am reading through all the award winners and this is one of the few that deserve a perfect score.