“Every day should be unwrapped as a gift.”
― Harry Harrison
An early morning visit to the Twitterverse brought the revelation from friends that one of the biggest influences on my reading life has passed away: Harry Harrison, author of the Deathworld trilogy, the Bill the Galactic Hero stories, a number of stand alone novels and of course my favorite, the stories of Slippery Jim DiGriz, the Stainless Steel Rat.
One of my prime sources of imagination and adventure in childhood was a small bookshelf in the room of my uncle Dean. A visit to my grandma’s house meant one thing above all else–I would sit on the floor pulling out paperback after paperback, gazing at the wild and imaginative covers of his science fiction collection. I was one of the few people he let read his books and it was a great honor coming from an uncle I idolized. My first destinations from those shelves were the Han Solo books by Brian Daley, but what I remember most clearly was the day I discovered a charming rogue who existed many years before the owner of the ‘fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy’–Slippery Jim DiGriz.
When I was young my father was diagnosed with cancer and he and my mom would often have to take the 2+ hour trip from my hometown of Norfolk, Nebraska to Omaha for treatments (All thanks to God, my father has been cancer free for decades). Many times my brother and I would be driven out to the farm to stay with my grandma and of course while there I would read. I can remember as clear as if it just happened that on one of these visits I pulled out The Adventures of the Stainless Steel Rat and something about it created a connection and I immediately started reading it. And just as immediately I had found a new hero, or anti-hero as it were. Now I had looked at that book many times before, I am sure, but it had never registered with me as one I wanted to read until that day. Adventures contained three novels: The Stainless Steel Rat, The Stainless Steel Rat’s Revenge, and The Stainless Steel Rat Saves the World.
I was undone. The adventures of master criminal turned reluctant officer of the Special Corps and his drop-dead gorgeous and equally criminal wife Angelina were tailor made for an early adolescent male and that day was the first of many, many, MANY journeys with Slippery Jim. As a child I re-read books obsessively and I’m not sure I could count the times I’ve re-read these three novels in particular, as well as other Stainless Steel Rat books, including many times as an adult. I’ve even read them aloud to my wife. With the Stainless Steel Rat books Harry Harrison created the perfect balance between space operatic adventure, romance, derring-do and humor. They weren’t farcical or slapstick, but Jim DiGriz had a cavalier wit and a roguish grace that made for a perfect reading experience. And more than just being adventure novels, Harry Harrison infused the Stainless Steel Rat books with his philosophy and social commentary as well his scientific thoughts to create space opera that made you think. But the truth is that these are rip-roaring fun novels and as throw-away as some may think them to be, it takes a special talent to create fun science fiction and I’ve read many, many Harrison imitators over the years who don’t hold a candle to the master.
As an adult I’ve discovered other Harrison books that are well worth reading, including the Deathworld trilogy, but nothing will ever have as special of a place in my heart as those first three Rat books. When I started this blog I knew that its name would have to be an homage to the author who has had the greatest influence on my reading life and thus Stainless Steel Droppings was born, the ‘droppings’ being a not-so-subtle self-effacement regarding the quality of what I expected I would be putting out on the internet. As I sit here contemplating the passing of Harry Harrison I am so glad that I chose the name. It has been great to be reminded daily of the travels of Slippery Jim DiGriz.
When a favorite author passes away so much dies. We mourn the passing of the individual and that is of course the greatest loss. For to so many who were a part of his actual, ‘real’, life, the loss of Harry Harrison is a personal, grief-filled one that will forever alter their lives here on Earth. My mourning, my loss, does not approach that and should never be compared. That loss is a result of precious relationships and my sadness and prayers go out to family and friends for that loss. But for us who are associated because of the great gift of fiction, the loss means not only is the person gone, but all the characters they created are also lost…or more accurately they are perpetually frozen in the time period of their printed existence. Though I haven’t been overly fond of the last few Stainless Steel Rat books, I mourn the knowledge that I will not be surprised again. There will be no new Slippery Jim novel for me to open with fear and anticipation. I will no longer be treated to new journeys with my favorite fictional hero and that loss is felt. The comfort in that is the existence of all the adventures Harry Harrison did take us on in his lifetime and the fact that we can pick them up and live them, or re-live them, any time we want and I’m proud of the legacy he has left behind.
I count Harry Harrison as one of the prime reasons that my first love is science fiction and I credit him with being an enormous influence in inspiring a voracious appetite for fictional adventure, an appetite that yearns to be fed even to this day.
“For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.”
~Vincent van Gogh
You have fueled many a star-gazing dream for me in my lifetime. I will miss you and your imagination, Harry, and you will forever have my thanks and my admiration.
Carl when I saw the news on twitter I straight away thought of you. You’re the reason I ever bought a Harry Harrison book, and although I’ve only read the one I did enjoy it, and can really see its appeal.
Your post here is a great tribute to the author.
Thanks Fence. I wanted to get something out right away to say my goodbyes, although it is just a pale reflection of the way I feel about his work and its part in my life.
When I saw the news, my thoughts, of course, went immediately to you, and my heart started aching for you. Yes, it’s a different sort of loss than his family and friends are experiencing, but it’s still a painful loss. It’s the sort of thing that can be so very hard to put into words, and yet you did it so eloquently and honestly.
I just saw that Fence said you were the reason she bought a Harry Harrison book. Well, you know the same is true for me. And I wonder how many other could say that as well.
It is. I’m always sad when creators that I admire die because of what has been taken out of the world. Whether it be someone like Jim Henson whose work through television and films touched my earliest memories or authors like Harry Harrison, the world is dimmer because of their passing.
I count it a great triumph to have been able to do my tiny part over the years to trumpet the Stainless Steel Rat books and I’m glad some of you found their enjoyment as well.
What a touching tribute. I haven’t read his works, but I want to now. I can picture you, looking through the books and immersing yourself into a new world. Writers probably have no idea how much they influence our lives and how they help us through good times and bad. I’m glad you found his works and that your uncle trusted you. And, I’m so happy to hear that your dad is cancer free! that totally rocks!
Thank you. That first collection, The Adventures of the Stainless Steel Rat, is the very best, in my opinion. Especially the first two books which tie together and form a really nice romantic, rollicking space opera story.
I think it must be amazing to be a storyteller, a creator of characters and worlds. Because they do touch lives and spark imaginations. I’ve done so much star-gazing because of Harry Harrison.
And thank you about my dad, I’m thrilled too!
I have never heard of this author or those books, but I do know what it’s like to have a childhood obsession with certain books that still remains with you into adulthood. 🙂
I re-read (for the zillionth time) and reviewed first book, The Stainless Steel Rat, earlier this year because I had never done so on my site and I’m sure I admitted there, as I have often, that I have no true objectivity where these books are concerned. I loved them as a kid and they have not dimmed in my estimation in my adulthood. Every year or two I read one and have great fun each time.
It seems like all the writers I grew up with are dying, but I guess that’s natural since I’m getting old myself. I recently bought a copy of BILL, THE GALACTIC HERO – I guess rereading it will be my tribute to Harry Harrison.
It does, Jim. As weird as this sounds at least with Harrison I’ve actually read his work. So many of these well-known SF authors are passing away and I regret to have not read any of their work while they were alive.
Very nice post.
My husband grew up on Bill the Galactic Hero and the Stainless Steel Rat. My first Harrison book was Warriors of the Way. I haven’t read it in years, but I think now would be a good time for a reread.
Thanks. I have some of his single novels on my list, including Make Room, Make Room and The Translatlantic Tunnel, Hurrah!
This is a wonderful tribute to the author. I’ve also only ready Deathworld which I enjoyed. Your younger self on the floor with a set of fantastic book covers spread before him, says much about science fiction and why those who love it do.
The Deathworld books are great. I also enjoyed the two novel set Planet of the Damned and Planet of No Return although they were much weaker than the Deathworld books or the SSR books. I also have the To the Stars trilogy that I’ve never read: Homeworld, Starworld and Wheelworld. Maybe those will be my next Harrison books.
Such a wonderful tribute… I haven’t read any of Harrison’s stories, but you make them sound incredible. It’s always sad when favorite authors pass away.
The SSR books are so much FUN. It is a word I overuse a lot in regards to fiction, but I cannot help it in this case. They are clever and smart and unashamed of what they are and they work so well.
I can agree that having your most favorite author die deeply saddens our whole being.
Yes, you’ve had that happen not long ago as well, Pat. This is a sad year for classic SF authors.
Sorry Carl.
I’m just starting my exploration of Harrison. I’ve read four of his novels. But, it’s so sad that there won’t be any new ones.
Did you ever get to meet him at a convention or book signing?
No John, I unfortunately never got to meet him anywhere. It would have been a real pleasure. I’ve been to several different types of cons but very few with authors, which is a shame and something I need to remedy.
Your in for some treats, and of course some duds, in your exploration of Harrison’s work. I hope you find some that excite you.
I keep meaning to go to more conventions too. But it is difficult and it always seems like the folks you want to meet aren’t at the convention or they are only at conventions on the other side of the country.
It is location that is the big deal for me. People rarely get any closer than Chicago and that is a big time and money commitment for me.
Phew, at least it’s not you! I thought for a moment you were saying good-bye to blogging…
Condolences all the same. I remember when ‘my’ beloved Madeleine L’Engle died. I will always miss knowing we inhabited the same world at the same time.
lol
I had the same thought, that Carl was so busy with his running that he wasn’t going to blog anymore.
I wondered if that would happen when I put the title up there but I couldn’t think of anything else that worked the way I wanted it to.
No, you are stuck with me for now (I can see the tears flowing!) 🙂
“inhabiting the same world at the same time”…nicely put, and yes I do miss that when creators I care about pass on.
No John, but if I could figure out a way to dictate directly into my blog and not have to do much editing I could combine my running and blogging and really multi-task. I do a lot of blog posts in my head while I run.
I wish I could dictate too. The technology is getting better though, my friend was showing me a new tablet that does dictation. If I had the money I’d buy it and play with it.
I was reading a book by Dean Karnazes the other day that is a series of essays, many of which he dictated while running. My problem is that I would want something I could then plug in and have the dictation automatically convert to text so that all I had to do was edit. I don’t want to sit and listen to what I dictated and then type it out. And that kind of thing probably exists, but I imagine it is pricey too.
That’s what this program did you dictated it and it turned it into text. I could ask him what it was if you want?
Sure, thank you. I’d be interested in knowing.
He said it’s a standard feature on all Android devices right now. (Shows how much I know)
I don’t know much either, I have an Android phone and had no clue, lol!
as with all the above, my first thought upon seeing Neil Gaiman & Kyle Kassidy’s fairwell tweets was, ‘damn, Carl’s gonna be heartbroken…’
Yes, it is a sad day. It is lessened by the fact that his output for many years has been mostly stuff I don’t read, alternate history stuff, but as long as he was alive I lived in hope of more SSR stories or other similar stuff and I’m sad that this will not be happening.
Beautiful post, Carl. You put into words what most of us can only feel. I hadn’t heard the news until I read your blog this morning, so it came as a shock. I’m glad I found out here, though.
My first awareness of Harrison was when I read the first installment of DEATHWORLD in Astounding Science Fiction, January 1960. I love that cover, and I loved the story, serialized in three parts. The entire issue was excellent, but the Harrison was captivating. I became a lifelong fan, and have read most of his SSR books, Bill, and so forth. His stuff always takes me back to a younger time, when science fiction still held all the excitement and magic it so often has lost in newer works. I’ll be re-reading something by him asap.
Thanks Richard. His work reminds me of that excitement too, in large part I imagine because of when I discovered it. I’m envious of your memories of reading Deathworld in Astounding for the first time. How awesome. I have the same envy for those who read Asimov and Heinlein and others that way. It is amazing to think of, really.
I’m sorry for his loss and am contemplating now what I want to do and when by way of honoring him with some reading of his work.
Oh Carl, what a beautiful tribute.
Thank you Stefanie!
Carl,
What a lovely piece and how sad that you’ve lost your favourite inspirational author. Just think though, he leaves behind a fantastic legacy which will keep on being read for years and years to come and hopefully will inspire other young readers to turn into young bloggers with a passion for books.
Lynn 😀
I certainly hope that is the case, Lynn. Thanks. Its rare, or at least it seems rare based on what I hear people share, that stories that you read as a child are as important to you as an adult as they were then and so it is even more sad when an author or other creator who bridges that gap for you passes on.
It is really sad actually. Your piece made me think back to when I was younger and all the influences on my reading, such as a teacher who encouraged my class at probably age 8/9 to read things like The Borrowers and the Wizard of Oz. Or later when I just picked up and read whatever books were on the shelves at homes. At 14 I simply loved Rhett Butler. Then I found Lord of the Rings and that fuelled my love of fantasy. Although strangely it seems to have taken me many years to realise that fantasy is my real book love. It’s odd how your early books can be so influential and it’s intriguing to see if they’re still as good to you now as they were then. I think they probably are. We all just read LoTR and personally I enjoyed the experience all over. I’m intrigued about these rat books – they sound really good. I’m going to see if I can find a copy.
Lynn 😀
It is odd because I probably get more overall satisfaction, especially emotionally, out of fantasy but my first love is science fiction. I connect so much of it to my childhood that it is just special to me.
Do give The Stainless Steel Rat a try. I have no doubt you’ll see why it was such a draw to me at 12 or 13 and why they are still fun now.
I’m so in the mood to read LOTR again, by the way. I probably won’t get to it this year, but I’m feeling that hunger.
great tribute.
Thanks L! 🙂
Hopefully, this will bring the original 3 Stainless Steel Rat books back into print!!! They are hard to find, and very expensive right now.
That would be great! I generally see them in used bookstores if you are looking for them. Wouldn’t mind picking them up for you.
I’ve lost track of how many Harry Harrison novels I have read. Carl, have you read “West of Eden”? I loved it, but have never read the various sequels.
Always sad for us readers when our revered author passes away. What a legacy such men and woman leave for future generations to read.
No, I haven’t any of that group, Ian. I guess one positive is that I have a lot of Harrison novels to explore still.
They do leave quite the legacy, don’t they?
Carl, you were the first person I thought of when I heard the news.
You’ve lost a good friend, someone who showed you a whole new dimension of the world. Someone who will always have a special corner of your heart.
Thanks Andrea. When an author who creates a character dies, it does feel like that long time friend has died, and Slippery Jim has certainly been that to me over the years. The first two books especially have been comfort reads for me. I cannot begin to count how many times over the years when I’ve been stressed that I turned to these adventures for a break, for comfort and to get myself out of a funk.
My heart sunk this morning when I received your blog email and I saw the subject line because I new how this news would hit you. I’m truly sorry my friend. I know how much SSR influenced and brought you joy over the years. I know I would never had read SSR without your encouragement and once I did read it I could see how easily it could have influenced you as a youth. It truly is a FUN good old fashioned sci-fi read that seems impossible to find on today’s book shelves. Heck I think Harrison’s SSR influenced George Lucas when he created a certain anti-hero named Han Solo.
It’s never easy losing a hero but at least with an artist we have the opportunity to revisit there work and find new inspiration after their passing which is pretty damn cool.
I don’t think you are wrong at all re: Han Solo. And you hit the nail on the head with your description, this really is good old fashioned fun science fiction. I think the only contemporary author I’ve read who comes close to emulating that is John Scalzi.
Yesterday’s loss was quite the reminder of the passage of time, given that Slippery Jim’s adventures have been entertaining me for three decades and then some. Wow!
As I posted here when first I stumbled across your blog, The Stainless Steel Rat was my first Harry Harrison book, and at age 12 then I was hooked for life. This loss hurts but how wonderful it is that we still have his words. By all accounts he had a happy life, and good long innings.
Ad astra, indeed.
I’m glad we still have his words too, and I’m hoping that Richard is right and that they will reprint some of his earlier stuff now in commemoration of his death. Sounds like a good project for Baen, although I would dread the covers they would slap on them, lol!
I plan to read some Harry Harrison this week and feature it next Friday for Patti Abbott’s weekly FORGOTTEN BOOKS series. Harrison was a prolific writer and editor. Very underrated.
I look forward to that George. And I agree, I think he was underrated as well, in particular because his most famous work was of a more humorous, space-opera nature and I think it can be and is easily dismissed by some. That’s a shame for them and anyone who would be influenced by their opinion.
Wonderful tribute. I think you nailed it in that last passage about all that is lost when an author dies. I felt the same way when Maurice Sendak passed away earlier this year. Your post will help ensure that his legacy will live on.
Thank you Emily. I hadn’t read much Sendak but still felt sad when he passed because of the influence he had and the way I saw his influence in the works of others.
Hope you enjoy my FFB post, Carl. Your eloquent tribute to Harry Harrison inspired me.