C.L. Moore-Shambleau(SF Short Story Review)

This was one wild short story. It grabbed me with it's tendrils and didn't let go. It was an amazing piece of science fiction writing by C.L. Moore. It's hard to believe that this story was written all the way back in 1933. At the core of it's plot is an alien encounter that has very obvious connotations to race relations of the time period. Especially with the way the "Shambleau is treated by the other denizens of the martian colony.  Even the alien creature's appearance is quote similar to that of an african american with it's dark brown skin. The whole story is one big alien encounter. One that starts out quite innocently enough with the rescue of what at first glance appears to be a misunderstood and preyed upon creature by the wiles of the story's hero the hilariously named, Northwest Smith. The story even goes as far as delving into man's carnal desires and how they can be easily corrupted. Anyway you put it, the aspect of interspecies sex is very controversial and Shambleau's sequences of wild, animal eroticism are no exception. As the story continues and Smith begins to take this creature under his wing, you begin to learn more about this creature and it's purpose you start to question things. Questions about what exactly this creature is and what it's purpose may be. As Smith experiences his forebodding nigthmare of swarms of slimy red tendrils the skin begins to crawl. When the vampiric and medusa like identity of the Shambleau is revealed in all it's unholy glory your skin wants to crawl right off your bones as the terror and disgust takes over your senses. Smith's encounter with the Shambleau was voluntary and seemed at least in the beginning of the tale to be one that was made with the best of intentions, but as the story progresses the encounter becomes life threatening, sinister and life changing. By the end of the story you are left both repulsed, terrified and intrigued about the Shambleau. You feel exactly the same way that Smith does after it's all over. Minus the great soulless eyes of course. But all kidding aside this was a great read.

This is an encounter with an alien species that preys on your emotions and leaves you stunned with it's sheer brilliance. Shambleau is an unforgettable alien encounter that is just as chilling as it is fascinating. I throughly enjoyed it, and I was amazed about how well written and how strong of a read it was. It was just the right length too. Enough to carry on it's narrative effectively but not overstaying it's welcome or taking too long to get to it's purpose and climax.