Here are the five stories that Lester del Rey and James Frenkel agreed were among Pohl's best. Of course, del Rey did not have the advantage of knowing Frenkel's choicees and Frenkel did. So del Rey may have influenced Frenkel to one degree or another, but it's hard to say. Frenkel seemed to have wise things to say about some of these, so it seems not necessarily a compulsion or influence but a selection.
What's interesting is finding great works of SF that other editors missed.
This is a solid story if problematic. Still interesting. I suspect that Pohl's saying this was his first good story may have influenced the editors' choice.
• The Day the Icicle Works Closed • (1960) •
Creative pyromania. Perhaps a little messy, coloring outside the lines. But perhaps charming because of this. Influenced a minor pop/synth/alternative band who had a handful of international hits. One would want to reread out of sheer pleasure of its inventive spree.
• The Day the Martians Came • (1967) •
While I can see why some editors and award-voters might have passed on these, the above two works are truly great works of SF that require careful reading. Not to be missed, just because others may not have been paying attention.
Pohl's most lauded work. Perhaps overrated (a perspective dependent on aesthetics over politics). Thought-provoking, yes, but passable fiction. Because it is much loved by some, it may be need to be included in any Pohl retrospective. I will give a few more empathetic reads and offer a third assessment at later date. (link to the tougher assessment of "Day Million")
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