Simply the Best

Jonathan Strahan (ed) “The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year: Volume Eleven” (Rebellion, 2017)

How do we evaluate something that purports to represent the “best” in science fiction and fantasy? This isn’t sportsball – there are no scores or stats to compare.

So “best” then may be an overreach. But we all know the intent. And I think that we can judge that intent. Does this anthology show a selection of work from great writers?

A quick caveat is that I don’t really follow the short fiction market. But I do read my share of longer works. And I try to stay more or less up to date in the field.

So the question is: what do I think of the authors included? And is their work what I would expect from them?

Strahan has assembled a great lineup of writers. The established pros include Joe Abercrombie, Nina Allen, Paolo Bacigalupi, Aliette de Bodard, Daryl Gregory, NK Jemisin, Caitlin R Kiernan, Ken Liu, Naomi Novik, Lavie Tidhar, Catherynne M Valente, Genevieve Valentine, & Charles Yu. It’s a strong strong collection of writers. And does their work hold up? Absolutely!

The best thing is that not only is there work by all these authors that you already know are good, but there is still more! Another assortment of writers that I was not familiar with, who all hold their own.

This is a great collection! As with anything of it nature, you are probably not going to like all the stories. But there is more than enough for anyone to find lots to enjoy!

Thanks to Rebellion and NetGalley for a review copy.

The Future Is Hot

Jonathan Strahan (ed.) “Drowned Worlds” (Solaris, 2016)

Climate change is the major issue of our time.  Here in the US, we are still mostly in denial, with a large portion of the population simply denying the scientific truth of the matter.

One of the arguments for science fiction is that it allows us to envision potential futures, both good and bad.  We need to work our imaginations so that we are ready for change.

With that in mind, it’s somewhat surprising that climate change is not a more common theme in contemporary SFF.  Drowned Worlds steps into this gap & provides a selection of stories from some of the best writers working today.  Kim Stanley Robinson, Ken Liu, Paul McAuley, Charlie Jane Anders, Lavie Tidhar—from the established to the young upstarts, Strahan has done a great job of selecting talent.

As you would expect from such a star studded assortment of writers, the work is top shelf.  Skill, craftsmanship, vision – it’s all on display.

My only complaint would be that at times it was just too damned depressing.  And I know, that’s as much a problem with me as with the text.  But that sense of sadness is real.

This isn’t going to be the most upbeat anthology of the year.  But the subject matter is important.  And the writing really can’t be beat.  So go on & read it already!