Sam Hall (story)

"Sam Hall" is a 1953 science fiction novelette by Poul Anderson. It was first published in Astounding Science Fiction, in August 1953.[1]

Synopsis

In a totalitarian America, where records of all citizens' actions and interactions are kept in a centralized data bank, a bureaucrat invents a mythical rebel by falsifying data.

Reception

In 2004, the story was a finalist for the 1954 Retro-Hugo award for Best Novelette.[2] In 2014, the story was a finalist for the Prometheus Award Hall of Fame.[3]

James E. Gunn has said that the story shows how computers are vulnerable to unreliable data,[4] while Strange Horizons considers the story to be "as much (...) social commentary as science fiction".[5]

References

  1. ↑ ISDFB, retrieved April 6, 2017
  2. ↑ 1954 Retro-Hugo Awards, at TheHugoAwards.org; retrieved April 6, 2017
  3. ↑ 2014 Prometheus Hall Of Fame Award Finalists, at Science Fiction Writers of America; published January 6, 2014; retrieved April 6, 2017
  4. ↑ Libraries in Science Fiction, by James E. Gunn, at the Center for the Study of Science Fiction; published no later than December 19, 2011; retrieved April 6, 2017
  5. ↑ Posthumous Gifts: Poul Anderson's Going for Infinity and For Love and Glory, reviewed by Faith L. Justice, in Strange Horizons; published December 1, 2003; retrieved April 6, 2017
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