Year’s Best SF 14
Authors: Eds. David G. Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer
Publisher: EOS Science Fiction
ISBN-10: 0061721743
ISBN-13: 978-0061721748
Rating: 6/10
As we’ve noted earlier, anthologies are a (The Dimension Next Door) tricky thing. Especially in a market, er, genre that’s gotten the teeth knocked out of it over the last few years. Yet despite all obstacles economic and otherwise, the editors of Year’s Best Sci-Fi 14 have done a tremendous job sifting the wheat from the chaff, all while maintaining the same humble attitude that’s made the books accessible and fun.
Admittedly, I didn’t read every story, but those I did make me feel optimistic for the state of science fiction today.
From Paolo Bacigalupi’s ironic (and underrated) “Pump Six”, to steelworker-turned-chemist Ted Kosmatka’s provocatively titled “N-Words”, these tales push the boundaries of science fiction, and dare I say it, science fact. Between water supplies contaminated with pheromones and God knows what and genetically engineered humans redefining what it means to be a citizen in a prejudiced world, these aren’t just escapist stories. These are cautionary tales.
The fact that editors David Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer do not step in and provide more commentary than necessary helps. After all, this is science fiction, not public policy, or even cultural studies. If readers wanted pedantry, they’d enroll at Chapel Hill or something. But given the sometimes academic nature of anthologies, even Hartwell and Cramer get serious for a while. But the important thing is they don’t overdo it, or let it spoil the fun.
At $7.99, this is a great time waster.
John Winn – Staff Writer
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