9

I am trying to recall an anthology of science fiction short stories I read about 15-20 years ago. It was called "Monsters" or something similar (could have been "Creatures" or "Dragons" or something else, I don't precisely recall). The theme was monsters and creatures in science fiction (not any fantasy-type stories I think). The story I specifically remember involved humans exploring an alien planet and encountering a unique creature there. The creature was harmless when first encountered but at each subsequent encounter the creature had changed and adapted to its environment and the human threat - it was hyper-evolving and quickly becoming a life-threatening danger. I don't recall how the story resolved but I think the humans "won".

Does anyone recall this story or anthology? I checked ISFDB but could not find anything that matched up to what I recall.

Improve this question
2
  • 1
    The title suggests it might be one of the anthologies edited by Gardner Dozois
    – System Down
    Commented Mar 27, 2015 at 1:58
  • The thematic Dozois anthologies seem very close to what I remember. I think user14111 hit on it with Asimov tho. Thanks!
    – ScopolaMike
    Commented Mar 27, 2015 at 10:41

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
10

The story you remember sounds like "Student Body" by F. L. Wallace (first published in Galaxy Science Fiction, March 1953, available at the Internet Archive), which was also the answer to this old question. You can read the Project Gutenberg etext or listen to the X Minus One radio dramatization. The anthology you're looking for is probably the Asimov-Greenberg-Waugh-edited Monsters, published in 1988.

Improve this answer
1
  • I think you are correct! The story is very similar to what I recall and the anthology cover seems quite familiar. To be honest the story as I remember it is different in some ways from "Student Body" but I have a feeling that is due to the fog of time. Thank you.
    – ScopolaMike
    Commented Mar 27, 2015 at 10:38

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.