Thursday, June 28, 2018

Sci-Fi Writer Harlan Ellison

Harlan Ellison just died. He was 84 years old. Ellison wrote science-fiction and television. You may have seen some of his work on "Star Trek," "The Outer Limits," "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.," "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" or "The Flying Nun." His story "A Boy and His Dog" was made into a movie in the Seventies with Don Johnson.

Despite his writing talent, Ellison was an asshole. All of his five ex-wives say he was abrasive and argumentative, as do many others, some of whom Ellison physically assaulted. During one sci-fi awards ceremony, Ellison grabbed a woman's breast on stage (the video is on YouTube). Ellison himself said he was a "troublemaker" and "malcontent" and a dust jacket on one of his books described him as "possibly the most contentious person on Earth." Ellison was expelled from college for hitting a professor.

Ellison sued often and complained all the time. He was fired on his first day working at the Walt Disney company when Roy Disney overheard him in the cafeteria joking about making porn with Disney characters.

His writing, however, was imaginative. For decades it was lauded with awards and high sales. Ellison is considered one of the top-three sci-fi writers of our time. You just needed to stay arm's-length away from him.

8 comments:

  1. In attitude, very much "of his time" but his writing is excellent. Coincidentally, I'm reading his book of short stories right now, "Hard Candy". His writing is excellent - he worked on sci fi series "Babylon 5" back in the 90s? 00s? although I'd heard of him before that.

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    1. I agree about his writing, having read a lot of it.

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  2. I never knew of this writer but obviously I've seen some of his works portrayed on TV.

    His behaviour is disgusting.

    Although many people like to I don't know that you can separate the talent from the human being. It changes our perspective.

    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

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    1. With all the recent revelations of bad private behavior, many are struggling with how to reconcile their revulsion at that with their appreciation of the art created. It's a tough situation and not easy to figure out.

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  3. My word, he sounds like a terrible human being! I can't believe he managed to convince five different women to get married to him!

    -Kati
    Almost Stylish

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  4. This book sounds like a nice book. I would love to read it.
    Have a great day <3
    http://www.rakhshanda-chamberofbeauty.com/

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  5. Oh sounds like a terrible person to know but a good person to read ?
    How very odd.

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  6. He sounds a bit of a rotter but with some very good talent. As it often the way!

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