u/JoelJulianMusic

Often overlooked, best known for City and Way Station. I have been on a slow burn completionist quest of Simak works ever since I discovered him back in 2014 (also obsessive collector of vintage paperback copies). I just started Catface (AKA Mastadonia), with only Trouble With Tycho and Fellowship of the Talisman left to read as far as novels/novellas go. Several of my favourites I have reread (Time and Again x4, no pun intended).

My view of Simak is that he is deeply flawed, but also very unique. Spans from clunky pulp to almost literary, pastoral writing. Always big on ideas, peak for me on anything time travel, but often struggles to wrap up endings. For me his books are a comfort read, and I enjoy them even when they're a bit silly. But at his peak he can be pretty profound and evocative. Bradbury is the closest comparison, but I find Simak a little less "fluffy" and whimsical.

Top for me:

Time and Again

City (didn't work for me on first read, but I've read it thrice now and love it)

Ring Around the Sun

Time is the Simplest Thing

Destiny Doll (very underrated)

Why Call Them Back from Heaven (very underrated)

Honourable mentions to Choice of God's and Project Pope.

Curious on anyone else's thoughts. Do you read Simak? Are you on a journey like me? What are your favourites? I still have quite a few short stories to get through as well (The Autumn Land is one of my all time favourite short stories).