'Three Science Fiction Stories' Summary

Frank Herbert was a prolific science fiction author who wrote many classic novels, including Dune. In addition to his novels, Herbert also wrote a number of short stories, including the three stories in the collection Three Science Fiction Stories.

Missing Link

The first story in the collection, "Missing Link," is set in a future where humans have colonized the galaxy. The story follows a group of scientists who are searching for the missing link between humans and apes. The scientists believe that they have found the missing link in the form of a creature that is part human and part ape. However, the creature is not what the scientists expected. It is intelligent and capable of speech, but it is also violent and dangerous.

Operation Haystack

The second story in the collection, "Operation Haystack," is set in a future where the Earth is threatened by an asteroid. The story follows a group of scientists who are working on a project to destroy the asteroid. The scientists are successful in destroying the asteroid, but the project comes at a great cost. The scientists are forced to use nuclear weapons, which devastate the Earth's environment.

Old Rambling House

The third story in the collection, "Old Rambling House," is set in a future where the Earth has been destroyed by nuclear war. The story follows a group of survivors who are trying to rebuild their lives. The survivors find a house that is still standing, and they decide to make it their home. However, the house is not what it seems. It is haunted by the ghosts of the people who died in the nuclear war.

Themes of the stories

The three stories in Three Science Fiction Stories explore a variety of themes, including the nature of humanity, the dangers of technology, and the importance of hope. The stories are well-written and thought-provoking, and they offer a glimpse into the future that Herbert envisioned.

In addition to the themes mentioned above, the stories also explore the idea of the outsider. In "Missing Link," the creature that is part human and part ape is an outsider in both the human and ape worlds. In "Operation Haystack," the scientists who are working on the project to destroy the asteroid are outsiders in the scientific community. And in "Old Rambling House," the survivors who are trying to rebuild their lives are outsiders in the world that has been destroyed by nuclear war.

The stories in Three Science Fiction Stories are a valuable addition to the science fiction canon. They are well-written, thought-provoking, and offer a glimpse into the future that Herbert envisioned.