It is acknowledged as one of science fiction’s enduring classics. (Two years later at the worldcon the award was officially chirstened the Hugo, so Alfred Bester is credited as winning the first-ever Hugo for Best Novel.)ġ956 saw The Stars My Destination published. The Demolished Man (1953) won the first science fiction achievement award for Best Novel. It was a wonderful experience.Īlfred Bester’s accomplishments are too many to list with any attempt at specificity (he would write for radio, comic books, and television, as well as travel to many parts of the world for Holiday magazine), so here are some of the highlights: Even after all these many years I still feel the excitement of my 25 year-old self as I sat there with Alfred Bester for almost half an afternoon, drinking, and getting this interview. Alfie talked a mile a minute, emphasizing this word or that phrase, and I wanted to try and capture the excitement and passion he brought to our talk.

For two hours we sat and talked, drinking pitcher after pitcher of beer (and a few other adult beverages, courtesy of Alfie). I was going to interview Alfred Bester? We soon found ourselves in one of the hotel bars at a corner booth, my friends and I looking outward and Alfie, pulling up a chair from a nearby table, with his back to the room. The next thing I remember I had asked for an interview to which he readily agreed. The convention was almost over and I and a few friends were resting in the lobby of the Muehlebach hotel when I caught the eye of Alfred Bester. I had driven home from Oshkosh, Wisconsin to Kansas City to stay with my folks during the convention. This was my first worldcon, and I think only my fourth convention. (Front cover art by Robert Fuller - Rear cover art by Barry Kent MacKay) Interview originally appeared in Tangent #6, Winter 1977, and is reprinted here for the first time. MidAmeriCon, 34th World Science Fiction Convention

Virtual Unrealities by Alfred Bester