Hive of Dreams: Contemporary Science Fiction from the Pacific Northwest

Northwest Readers

by Grace L. Dillon

This unique collection brings together for the first time the work of a dozen internationally prominent science fiction writers who make their home in the Pacific Northwest. Editor Grace L. Dillon's informative introduction shows how the region's culture, economy, and natural environment are reflected in the work of these different authors. Exploring tensions between our increasing affinity with technology and traditional concerns with environmental sustainability, the works presented here demonstrate the spirit that makes Northwest science fiction distinctive. "Hive of Dreams begins in the forests and mountains of the Northwest with Ursula Le Guin's "The Good Trip" and ends in the cities and multinational conglomerates of the Pacific Rim with William Gibson's "Idoru. In the space between, readers will encounter writings by such notable authors as Greg Bear, Octavia Butler, Douglas Coupland, Molly Gloss, Richard Powers, Joanna Russ, Neal Stephenson, and John Varley, among others. "Hive of Dreams will clearly establish the unique signature of Northwest writers within the broader world and traditions of science fiction. Lovers of great science fiction, as well as teachers and students of contemporary literature in general, will find much of interest in this exciting collection. The book will also appeal to readers looking for new writers or for an introduction to the genre.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

277 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2003

Reviews

[A.L. Sirois · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Contemporary" is a bit of a stretch, seeing as how these stories and excerpts -- more about that in a minute - mostly date back to the late 20th century as opposed to the 21st. That's no surprise, really because the anthology was first published in August of 2003 -- 20 years ago. But we'll let that pass.

Some of the pieces herein are very good -- there are two by Ursula LeGuin, including one I hadn't read before. William Gibson is also represented by two pieces: an excerpt from NEUROMANCER and an excerpt from IDORU. I haven't read IDORU, but the bit of NEUROMANCER presented here reminded me of how goddam good the book was. Ted Change's "Story of Your Life" is printed, and a story from Michael G. Coney, "The Byrds." (Not the band, I hasten to say.) Aside from the Leguin, Chiang and Coney tales, however, everything else is "from" this novel or that. And I gotta tell ya, almost none of them impels me to go dig up the novel in question. One, in fact -- Douglas Coupland's "Microserfs," really hasn't got any business being included here, because it's no more than a description of how software workers at Microsoft pass their days. I used to do that work, so it rang true to me -- but as far as being speculative in any way, it isn't.

Nevertheless, don't let me stop you. There are some real gems here, including a bit from Joanna Russ's THE FEMALE MAN, which I really must re-read one of these days, as I am partial to her work. But the problem for me is that the excerpts just sort of start and stop, so it's hard to get the gist, if you see what I mean. Oh well.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hive of Dreams is not a book for people who can't stand rereading things. By its very nature, literature is that which has been widely read and, having been widely read, has then been recognized to be of some value—so you aren't going to see a lot of unknown, original work show up in this kind of literary anthology. In fact, I was only unfamiliar with one author, out of the many in this book: Molly Gloss... I'm not sure how I've missed her work to date, but from what editor Grace Dillon has chosen to include here, I'm definitely going to have to look up more Gloss.

The others were all old friends of mine, of one sort or another. I've read almost all of the works collected here, in fact, at some point. But if you are not already familiar with the fiction of authors like Ursula K. LeGuin, William Gibson, Joanna Russ and Octavia Butler, this volume does provide an excellent introduction to and overview of the sf these writers—influenced as they have been by the peculiar climate of the Pacific Northwest—have produced.

Rereading Ted Chiang's "Story of Your Life," for example—one of my favorites here, despite its relatively recent genesis—this story (his story, your story) proves beyond doubt that your life can be amazing even when you know the ending... Chiang's poignant tale of a linguist who learns—really learns—how to communicate with aliens who have a wholly different sense of time is deservedly a classic of SF, as well as of fiction about parenthood.

Living with you will be like aiming at a moving target; you'll always be further along than I expect.
—p.100

There are some welcome surprises here too—excerpts from Douglas Coupland's Microserfs and Richard Powers' Plowing the Dark among them. Editor Grace Dillon casts her net wide when she is looking for fiction that fits her rubric, and not all of the authors and works she selects fit into traditional genre niches. This is a good thing, overall.

One thing that did sadden me is to see how many of these authors have passed away in the decade or so since this book was published. Octavia Butler, Joanna Russ and Michael G. Coney are no longer with us... but that doesn't mean their work has become less relevant.

Overall, Hive of Dreams provides a good—if by no means comprehensive—overview of the state of speculative fiction from authors in the Pacific Northwest, as it obtained in the early 21st Century. It's not—nor is it intended to be—the endpoint of your research; rather, this book is a springboard to deeper study. And as such it is definitely a success.

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite. I liked her other book better. I absolutely loved the opening fable, tho, The Byrds, but there was nothing else like it.