All Flesh Is Grass

This is a re-read for me. I'd read this book long ago, so long ago all I had was a fond memory of really liking it. No real memories remained, other than I knew it was about an alternate Earth. Oh yeah, and flowers were involved.

Now if I had tried to tell someone that they must read this suspenseful novel of an alternate Earth, peopled with only flowers that was invading our Earth, I'm sure they would crawl, not walk, nor run to get a copy. But when this novel is by Clifford D. Simak, a Grand Master of the science fiction field, in fact only the third to be named such (at that time), then there is a bit of added weight to the argument. But still, sentient, alien purple flowers, doesn't have nearly the sudden chill factor of some of the more prosaic invaders in the SF field. But that is what makes Simak so special.

Simak is known for his pastoral, small town feel in the vast scope of the science fictional universe, and he does not disappoint. The last forty some pages of this novel are as intense as any other to be found.

If you have read this, like me, a long time ago, then do yourself a favor and pick it up again. If you have not read it, I highly recommend it.