What do you think?
Rate this book
Nebula Awards Showcases #48
Nebula Awards Showcase 2014
The latest volume of the prestigious anthology series, published annually across six decades! The Nebula Awards Showcase volumes have been published annually since 1966, reprinting the winning and nominated stories in the Nebula Awards, voted on by the members of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America® . The editor selected by SFWA's anthology committee (chaired by Mike Resnick) is American fantasy writer Kij Johnson, author of three novels and associate director of the Center for the Study of Science Fiction at the University of Kansas. This year's Nebula winners, and expected contributors, are Kim Stanley Robinson, Nancy Kress, Andy Duncan, and Aliette de Bodard, with E.C. Myers winning the Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy Book.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
About the author
Kij Johnson
107 books510 followersKij Johnson is an American writer of fantasy. She has worked extensively in publishing: managing editor for Tor Books and Wizards of the Coast/TSR, collections editor for Dark Horse Comics, project manager working on the Microsoft Reader, and managing editor of Real Networks. She is Associate Director for the Center for the Study of Science Fiction at the University of Kansas, and serves as a final judge for the Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award.
Johnson is the author of three novels and more than 38 short works of fiction. She is best known for her adaptations of Heian-era Japanese myths. She won the Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award for the best short story of 1994 for her novelette in Asimov's, "Fox Magic." In 2001, she won the International Association for the Fantastic in the Art's Crawford Award for best new fantasy novelist of the year. In 2009, she won the World Fantasy Award for "26 Monkeys, Also The Abyss," which was also a finalist for the Hugo and Nebula awards. She won the 2010 Nebula Award for "Spar" and the 2011 Nebula Award for "Ponies," which is also a finalist for the Hugo and World Fantasy awards. Her short story "The Evolution of Trickster Stories Among the Dogs of North Park After the Change" was a finalist for the 2007 Hugo, Nebula, Sturgeon, and World Fantasy awards. Johnson was also a finalist for the 2004 World Fantasy Award for her novel Fudoki, which was declared one of the best SF/F novels of 2003 by Publishers Weekly.
Johnson is the author of three novels and more than 38 short works of fiction. She is best known for her adaptations of Heian-era Japanese myths. She won the Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award for the best short story of 1994 for her novelette in Asimov's, "Fox Magic." In 2001, she won the International Association for the Fantastic in the Art's Crawford Award for best new fantasy novelist of the year. In 2009, she won the World Fantasy Award for "26 Monkeys, Also The Abyss," which was also a finalist for the Hugo and Nebula awards. She won the 2010 Nebula Award for "Spar" and the 2011 Nebula Award for "Ponies," which is also a finalist for the Hugo and World Fantasy awards. Her short story "The Evolution of Trickster Stories Among the Dogs of North Park After the Change" was a finalist for the 2007 Hugo, Nebula, Sturgeon, and World Fantasy awards. Johnson was also a finalist for the 2004 World Fantasy Award for her novel Fudoki, which was declared one of the best SF/F novels of 2003 by Publishers Weekly.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 5, 2022
This is a weird one to review because it’s such a cumbersome collection. You’ve got short stories, novelettes, and excerpts, along with some short author essays as well.
Does anyone actually read excerpts? I know I certainly don’t. It’s strange to read the beginning of something you can’t finish. So two of the stories included in this collection were non-starters for me. The rest were hit and miss.
Immersion by Aliette de Bodard ** - Interesting exploration of future technology bungled by an overt and unsatisfying message.
Close Encounters by Andy Duncan * - Unoriginal and uninteresting first contact story.
After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall by Nancy Kress **** - This story is easily the highlight of the collection. Kress builds a fascinating post-apocalyptic world full of verisimilitude and intrigue. The character work is raw and rewarding and her use of language is really clever.
“Where were the gerbils? Then Pete saw them, trying to get out of a large bucket. They couldn’t. Tommy held the squirming Fuzz Ball. Tommy’s eyes were big as bucket bottoms.”
‘Big as bucket bottoms’ in a world where buckets, usually filled with piss or excrement, feature importantly in their world. In fact, I’m pretty sure Kress wrote her characters calling each other piss buckets as a slang insult. Great.
Unfortunately the story is let down by the end which reveals a message that I felt lessened the worth and quality of the story. Still, it’s a really solid story.
2312 by Kim Stanley Robinson - Excerpt
The Bookmaking Habits of Selected Species by Ken Liu ** I love Ken Liu but this read like more of a word exercise than a story.
Fair Coin by E.C. Myers - Excerpt
Five Ways to Fall in Love on Planet Porcelain by Cat Rambo *** Not nearly as well written as the story by Nancy Kress but holds its mystique better.
Christmas Inn by Gene Wolfe *** I continue to read about how much of a genius Gene Wolfe is and I still don’t understand it.
Stories-6, Language-8, Ideas-8, Characters-7, Enjoyment-6, O6.8
Does anyone actually read excerpts? I know I certainly don’t. It’s strange to read the beginning of something you can’t finish. So two of the stories included in this collection were non-starters for me. The rest were hit and miss.
Immersion by Aliette de Bodard ** - Interesting exploration of future technology bungled by an overt and unsatisfying message.
Close Encounters by Andy Duncan * - Unoriginal and uninteresting first contact story.
After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall by Nancy Kress **** - This story is easily the highlight of the collection. Kress builds a fascinating post-apocalyptic world full of verisimilitude and intrigue. The character work is raw and rewarding and her use of language is really clever.
“Where were the gerbils? Then Pete saw them, trying to get out of a large bucket. They couldn’t. Tommy held the squirming Fuzz Ball. Tommy’s eyes were big as bucket bottoms.”
‘Big as bucket bottoms’ in a world where buckets, usually filled with piss or excrement, feature importantly in their world. In fact, I’m pretty sure Kress wrote her characters calling each other piss buckets as a slang insult. Great.
Unfortunately the story is let down by the end which reveals a message that I felt lessened the worth and quality of the story. Still, it’s a really solid story.
2312 by Kim Stanley Robinson - Excerpt
The Bookmaking Habits of Selected Species by Ken Liu ** I love Ken Liu but this read like more of a word exercise than a story.
Fair Coin by E.C. Myers - Excerpt
Five Ways to Fall in Love on Planet Porcelain by Cat Rambo *** Not nearly as well written as the story by Nancy Kress but holds its mystique better.
Christmas Inn by Gene Wolfe *** I continue to read about how much of a genius Gene Wolfe is and I still don’t understand it.
Stories-6, Language-8, Ideas-8, Characters-7, Enjoyment-6, O6.8
July 20, 2026
So this would rank higher if the first winning story wasn’t such a great disappointment.
Disappointing in that the characters are well drawn and the uncertainties and plot spool out in disturbing and intriguing ways…only to fall apart with a lame finale that leaves the reader stuck with a MESSAGE that betrays the substance of the story…
Disappointing in that the characters are well drawn and the uncertainties and plot spool out in disturbing and intriguing ways…only to fall apart with a lame finale that leaves the reader stuck with a MESSAGE that betrays the substance of the story…
February 22, 2016
A collection of short-stories, novellas, and excerpts from the 2014 Nebula Award Winners.
Some thoughts on them:
Immersion by Aliette de Bodard - **** (that's four stars) - What happens if we rely too much on technology? If we see the world only through the prism of an artificial intelligence? The story presents a case where technology took over humanity, quite literally. -
Close Encounters by Andy Duncan - *** - A story about ‘real’ close encounters, criticizing the over-mediatized abducting stories, and our need to find a scientific explanation for everything. The ending was expectable.
After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall by Nancy Kress - ***** - The plot didn't seem very original at first. Aliens destroy the world, some survive, try to rebuild humanity. What makes this story unique is the storytelling. It is so captivating, that I forgot about the fact that I have read and seen similar stories. Of course, it’s more than just plain old aliens destroying the Earth. The survivors can go back in the past, to steal children, who will then repopulate the Earth. Not to mention that in the end the aliens aren't exactly what they seem to be. And they are definitely not the bad guys. I bet this story will make for a blockbuster movie…
(Some later thoughts: it's been more than a week since I read this novella, yet I can't seem to get it out of my head. Seeing the pollution, the excessive use of Earth's resources, I wonder whether the 'cleansing' from this story will happen eventually. And I doubt that the Tesslies will come to save humanity from self-destruction.)
2312 by Kim Stanley Robinson (excerpt) - No point rating an excerpt - Most likely a great novel, but space fantasy doesn't really captivate me. Also not much given away in this excerpt.
The Bookmaking Habits of Selected Species by Ken Liu - **** - A short story about the importance of book, with a thought provoking ending: “Everyone makes books.”
Fair Coin by E.C. Myers (excerpt) - No point rating an excerpt - A very promising story. It has not convinced me to read another YA novel, but probably worth reading for those who like them.
Five Ways to Fall in Love on Planet Porcelain by Cat Rambo - *** - The ending is definitely not what I expected. A little bit disturbing.
Christmas Inn by Gene Wolfe - **** - After a somewhat long introduction to the works of Gene Wolfe (I haven’t read anything from him yet), I was very curious why his writing is so special. After reading the novelette, I realized that everything that has been told previously about him is absolutely correct. He is a genius, but he doesn't overwhelm us with it. Instead he lets us realize for ourselves who the strangers are, without ever naming them.
Some thoughts on them:
Immersion by Aliette de Bodard - **** (that's four stars) - What happens if we rely too much on technology? If we see the world only through the prism of an artificial intelligence? The story presents a case where technology took over humanity, quite literally. -
Close Encounters by Andy Duncan - *** - A story about ‘real’ close encounters, criticizing the over-mediatized abducting stories, and our need to find a scientific explanation for everything. The ending was expectable.
After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall by Nancy Kress - ***** - The plot didn't seem very original at first. Aliens destroy the world, some survive, try to rebuild humanity. What makes this story unique is the storytelling. It is so captivating, that I forgot about the fact that I have read and seen similar stories. Of course, it’s more than just plain old aliens destroying the Earth. The survivors can go back in the past, to steal children, who will then repopulate the Earth. Not to mention that in the end the aliens aren't exactly what they seem to be. And they are definitely not the bad guys. I bet this story will make for a blockbuster movie…
(Some later thoughts: it's been more than a week since I read this novella, yet I can't seem to get it out of my head. Seeing the pollution, the excessive use of Earth's resources, I wonder whether the 'cleansing' from this story will happen eventually. And I doubt that the Tesslies will come to save humanity from self-destruction.)
2312 by Kim Stanley Robinson (excerpt) - No point rating an excerpt - Most likely a great novel, but space fantasy doesn't really captivate me. Also not much given away in this excerpt.
The Bookmaking Habits of Selected Species by Ken Liu - **** - A short story about the importance of book, with a thought provoking ending: “Everyone makes books.”
Fair Coin by E.C. Myers (excerpt) - No point rating an excerpt - A very promising story. It has not convinced me to read another YA novel, but probably worth reading for those who like them.
Five Ways to Fall in Love on Planet Porcelain by Cat Rambo - *** - The ending is definitely not what I expected. A little bit disturbing.
Christmas Inn by Gene Wolfe - **** - After a somewhat long introduction to the works of Gene Wolfe (I haven’t read anything from him yet), I was very curious why his writing is so special. After reading the novelette, I realized that everything that has been told previously about him is absolutely correct. He is a genius, but he doesn't overwhelm us with it. Instead he lets us realize for ourselves who the strangers are, without ever naming them.
February 6, 2016
I eagerly read the annual Nebula winners anthology from SFWA, and was very impressed with both the content and editorial writing in the prior years' (2012 and 2013) releases. It always renews my interest in the genre, to find good new writers and to read discussion of the vital current issues in speculative fiction. This year, the anthology is somewhat shorter, containing little more than the actual Nebula Award winners in various categories.
On a personal level, I was also disappointed to see that approximately half the pages contained works I have already read during the past year - including the winning novella by Nancy Kress, which is also available as a stand-alone publication. Two of the selections are teasers - the beginning pages of winning novels. The short story by newly-awarded Grandmaster Gene Wolfe might also be considered a teaser, as it contains at least one mystery that relies on clues from another story not included here. If this is to become mostly a marketing tool to encourage sales of member SF writers, the SFWA might consider making it a free e-publication.
While some of my high expectations of the anthology were not met, I have to say that I found the quality of writing contained within to be top notch. On a re-read of Nancy Kress's "After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall" I saw intricacies in plot and clues to concept development earlier on, than on my first read last year. The eventual explanation is somewhat bludgeoning, and seems less sophisticated than the story that builds to it.
Also, Gene Wolfe's story "Christmas Inn" needs discussion. As always Gene Wolfe's writing is multi-layered, full of (Catholic) religious allegories, and compactly explained ambiguities. #1 Unfortunately, the mystery of the nature of the visitors to Christmas Inn is solved only deductively - it is not the a,b,c,or d explanation, and so it must be e. "e" is not mentioned in this story, but is implied in its relationship to another story of his "The Tree is My Hat". #2 The theme of the story about what is worshiped at Christmas seems bumper-sticker trite, but it is possible there are layers to this I have not yet understood. #3 Finally, June's decision at the end of the story was handled perfectly, I think. On a narrative level, the story is just so well balanced.
On a personal level, I was also disappointed to see that approximately half the pages contained works I have already read during the past year - including the winning novella by Nancy Kress, which is also available as a stand-alone publication. Two of the selections are teasers - the beginning pages of winning novels. The short story by newly-awarded Grandmaster Gene Wolfe might also be considered a teaser, as it contains at least one mystery that relies on clues from another story not included here. If this is to become mostly a marketing tool to encourage sales of member SF writers, the SFWA might consider making it a free e-publication.
While some of my high expectations of the anthology were not met, I have to say that I found the quality of writing contained within to be top notch. On a re-read of Nancy Kress's "After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall" I saw intricacies in plot and clues to concept development earlier on, than on my first read last year. The eventual explanation is somewhat bludgeoning, and seems less sophisticated than the story that builds to it.
Also, Gene Wolfe's story "Christmas Inn" needs discussion. As always Gene Wolfe's writing is multi-layered, full of (Catholic) religious allegories, and compactly explained ambiguities. #1 Unfortunately, the mystery of the nature of the visitors to Christmas Inn is solved only deductively - it is not the a,b,c,or d explanation, and so it must be e. "e" is not mentioned in this story, but is implied in its relationship to another story of his "The Tree is My Hat". #2 The theme of the story about what is worshiped at Christmas seems bumper-sticker trite, but it is possible there are layers to this I have not yet understood. #3 Finally, June's decision at the end of the story was handled perfectly, I think. On a narrative level, the story is just so well balanced.
February 24, 2015
February's bookgroup selection. We've been reading the Nebula Awards Showcase books for over 10 years now. I somehow blanked bringing this to book group last year, so we slid it in the rotation for the start of 2015. Several of these I read previously as Hugo Nominations. While not every story strikes a cord, the compilations tend to be consistently good.
Immersion by Aliette de Bodard -Read previously in June of 2013. Layers to this short story that, like the woman in the immersion, needs to be peeled away.
Close Encounters by Andy Duncan - Kinda a science can't explain everything story, that some things just need to be taken on faith that they happened. An arrogance of science perhaps?
After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall by Nancy Kress - According to my notes, I really liked this the first time I read it in July 2013. I noted I like the feasibility of natural catastrophic events wiping out the earth. However, this time around I had problems with the whole "repopulate the earth" with 10+ people. Yeah. Not going to happen without massive inbreeding. And they needed more supplies. And why would the aliens interfere to begin with?
2312 by Kim Stanley Robinson - did not read the excerpt as I plan on reading the entire book one of these months.
The Bookmaking Habits of Selected Species by Ken Liu - Usually I find Ken Liu's short stories to be consistently intriguing and good. Unfortunately, I lost interest in this one. Yeah yeah, every species makes books. Short story in one sentence.
Fair Coin by E.C. Myers (excerpt) - not wild about excerpts because they leave you hanging and aren't usually enough to get me to go buy the book. I read this one because I was not familiar with the author, but it wasn't enough to keep me engaged or to want to read the full book.
Five Ways to Fall in Love on Planet Porcelain by Cat Rambo - different. Reminded me of Ponies by Kij Johnson actually; a bit disturbing.
Christmas Inn by Gene Wolfe - Didn't grab my fancy. I found it more perplexing than anything with too much left to speculation, and not just the ending...
Selected poems - A poem should be a poem, not a short story written with strange sentence structure. In my humble opinion.
Immersion by Aliette de Bodard -Read previously in June of 2013. Layers to this short story that, like the woman in the immersion, needs to be peeled away.
Close Encounters by Andy Duncan - Kinda a science can't explain everything story, that some things just need to be taken on faith that they happened. An arrogance of science perhaps?
After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall by Nancy Kress - According to my notes, I really liked this the first time I read it in July 2013. I noted I like the feasibility of natural catastrophic events wiping out the earth. However, this time around I had problems with the whole "repopulate the earth" with 10+ people. Yeah. Not going to happen without massive inbreeding. And they needed more supplies. And why would the aliens interfere to begin with?
2312 by Kim Stanley Robinson - did not read the excerpt as I plan on reading the entire book one of these months.
The Bookmaking Habits of Selected Species by Ken Liu - Usually I find Ken Liu's short stories to be consistently intriguing and good. Unfortunately, I lost interest in this one. Yeah yeah, every species makes books. Short story in one sentence.
Fair Coin by E.C. Myers (excerpt) - not wild about excerpts because they leave you hanging and aren't usually enough to get me to go buy the book. I read this one because I was not familiar with the author, but it wasn't enough to keep me engaged or to want to read the full book.
Five Ways to Fall in Love on Planet Porcelain by Cat Rambo - different. Reminded me of Ponies by Kij Johnson actually; a bit disturbing.
Christmas Inn by Gene Wolfe - Didn't grab my fancy. I found it more perplexing than anything with too much left to speculation, and not just the ending...
Selected poems - A poem should be a poem, not a short story written with strange sentence structure. In my humble opinion.
January 28, 2024
This collection includes the winners and nominees of the Nebulas and includes short stories, novel excerpts, poetry, and more.
I enjoyed the book a lot which isn't surprising since they were aiming to curate the best of the best. These are annual publications and I would definitely read more.
As always, since there are multiple authors I will add a little something about each one individually below.
Immersion
Good story and interesting concept. Even though there wasn't really a resolution I also think it ended at the right time.
Close Encounters
Excellent story that engrossed me from beginning to end.
After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall
It was over 100 pages but didn't feel like it. I lost interest a little during some of the 2014 flashbacks but the majority of the story was riveting.
The author did a great job of creating full characters without a lot of backstory or extra details. I was surprisingly sad when Julie died.
Excerpt from 2312
The first half of the excerpt was really interesting but once it moved away from Swan's perspective and the personal aspects into the more scientific aspects of various surroundings it lost me. I think excerpts are hard in general because you want to give enough of a taste to interest the reader but it's often unsatisfactory because you also can't give away too much since the goal is to have someone read the whole thing.
Not related to the story itself but someone was described as dipping their head in "a kind of autistic bow". I don't have any idea what that would be.
The Bookmaking Habits of Select Species
What a lovely thought that every being "reads" and passes knowledge in some form.
Excerpt from Fair Coin
I immediately added the book to my "to-read" list based on this excerpt.
Five Ways to Fall in Love on Planet Porcelain
My favorite. The story filled me with feeling even though it was sparse and delicate.
Christmas Inn
The story was riveting. I wish there had been a little more explanation to the ending because I didn't get it. Maybe if I reread it it would become clearer.
The Library, After
I would read an expansion of that. I love the idea of a library turning feral.
I never would've described it as a poem if it hadn't been listed in that category but it didn't bother me, I'm not the poetry police.
The Curator Speaks in the Department of Dead Languages
Winner of the best long poem, it also has the longest title.
The poem was emotional.
Blue Rose Buddha
This feels like a poem the author would read at a show and everyone around me would be nodding and snapping while I felt too shallow to understand it. I feel that way about a lot of poetry, actually.
Find all my reviews at: https://readingatrandom.blogspot.com
I enjoyed the book a lot which isn't surprising since they were aiming to curate the best of the best. These are annual publications and I would definitely read more.
As always, since there are multiple authors I will add a little something about each one individually below.
Immersion
Good story and interesting concept. Even though there wasn't really a resolution I also think it ended at the right time.
Close Encounters
Excellent story that engrossed me from beginning to end.
After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall
It was over 100 pages but didn't feel like it. I lost interest a little during some of the 2014 flashbacks but the majority of the story was riveting.
The author did a great job of creating full characters without a lot of backstory or extra details. I was surprisingly sad when Julie died.
Excerpt from 2312
The first half of the excerpt was really interesting but once it moved away from Swan's perspective and the personal aspects into the more scientific aspects of various surroundings it lost me. I think excerpts are hard in general because you want to give enough of a taste to interest the reader but it's often unsatisfactory because you also can't give away too much since the goal is to have someone read the whole thing.
Not related to the story itself but someone was described as dipping their head in "a kind of autistic bow". I don't have any idea what that would be.
The Bookmaking Habits of Select Species
What a lovely thought that every being "reads" and passes knowledge in some form.
Excerpt from Fair Coin
I immediately added the book to my "to-read" list based on this excerpt.
Five Ways to Fall in Love on Planet Porcelain
My favorite. The story filled me with feeling even though it was sparse and delicate.
Christmas Inn
The story was riveting. I wish there had been a little more explanation to the ending because I didn't get it. Maybe if I reread it it would become clearer.
The Library, After
I would read an expansion of that. I love the idea of a library turning feral.
I never would've described it as a poem if it hadn't been listed in that category but it didn't bother me, I'm not the poetry police.
The Curator Speaks in the Department of Dead Languages
Winner of the best long poem, it also has the longest title.
The poem was emotional.
Blue Rose Buddha
This feels like a poem the author would read at a show and everyone around me would be nodding and snapping while I felt too shallow to understand it. I feel that way about a lot of poetry, actually.
Find all my reviews at: https://readingatrandom.blogspot.com
December 8, 2022
Fresh from a very disappointing last read (The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy, 2016), I wanted a book that could make me appreciate the SF genre again. This seemed the likely antidote, and I'm relieved to have been spot on. It's edited by Kij Johnson, whose The Apartment Dweller's Bestiary was one of only four short stories worth reading in The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy, 2016. His introduction and easy accounting of the mechanics of the Nebula awards and its past hall of famers--the heavy hitters--were particularly enlightening. So were the essays by Neil Gaiman and Michael Dirda. But best of all, the winning stories captured my fancy. My top four picks are:
1) Close Encounters by Andy Duncan, Nebula Award, Best Novelette - Buck Nelson is a likeable, elderly redneck, a George Adamski-like character who used to be mildly famous as a UFO contactee. Gregarious to a fault, he and his huge alien dog Bo used to hold picnics where he held court and regaled stories of his multiple jaunts to the moon and the galaxy's neighboring planets. This was before the moon landing and its disappointing reports of craters and moon rock sightings, visuals which negated earlier, personal accounts of his lunar visits. The story appeals to my sentiments on retro SF, stories which were written prior to the moon landing, when it was much easier to imagine and believe what gold was there in them thar galactic hills.
2) After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall by Nancy Kress, Nebula Award, Best Novella - It took a few pages for me to warm up to this. I blame the non-linear narrative, which is necessary to the storytelling. Towards the end, I was reminded of A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr, one of the most powerful dystopian novels out there, and the highest compliment I can give this.
3) The Bookmaking Habits of Select Species by Ken Liu, Nebula Award Finalist, Best Short Story - Like Kij Johnson's The Apartment Dweller's Bestiary, this wasn't really a story, but a short, amusing compendium on the bookmaking and intriguing literary traditions of the galaxy's native species.
4) Excerpt from Fair Coin by E.C. Myers, Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy - A captivating beginning has me on the lookout for the entire book.
1) Close Encounters by Andy Duncan, Nebula Award, Best Novelette - Buck Nelson is a likeable, elderly redneck, a George Adamski-like character who used to be mildly famous as a UFO contactee. Gregarious to a fault, he and his huge alien dog Bo used to hold picnics where he held court and regaled stories of his multiple jaunts to the moon and the galaxy's neighboring planets. This was before the moon landing and its disappointing reports of craters and moon rock sightings, visuals which negated earlier, personal accounts of his lunar visits. The story appeals to my sentiments on retro SF, stories which were written prior to the moon landing, when it was much easier to imagine and believe what gold was there in them thar galactic hills.
2) After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall by Nancy Kress, Nebula Award, Best Novella - It took a few pages for me to warm up to this. I blame the non-linear narrative, which is necessary to the storytelling. Towards the end, I was reminded of A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr, one of the most powerful dystopian novels out there, and the highest compliment I can give this.
3) The Bookmaking Habits of Select Species by Ken Liu, Nebula Award Finalist, Best Short Story - Like Kij Johnson's The Apartment Dweller's Bestiary, this wasn't really a story, but a short, amusing compendium on the bookmaking and intriguing literary traditions of the galaxy's native species.
4) Excerpt from Fair Coin by E.C. Myers, Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy - A captivating beginning has me on the lookout for the entire book.
September 23, 2024
DNF at 70%
I would swear these stories were written by misogynists from the 40s.
…………
Wahram dipped his head in a kind of autistic bow.
…………
“…But you have the laser on you wrister. Quick, kill it!”
…………
“You’re keeping it?” “Yes.” She was thirty-eight, with no real relationship in sight now that the…
…………
That was more important than who had sex with McAllister, who anyway wasn’t looking very attractive with her belly swollen in pregnancy and all those tired lines.
…………
The door opened, and in the entry stood a small—very attractive in the way smalls often were—aged, slender, with a neat blond ponytail and a casual blue jacket…
…………
It was old Truman’s drawing of Captain Aura
Rhanes, the sexy Space Sister from the planet Clarion…
…………
Etc. Etc.
I would swear these stories were written by misogynists from the 40s.
…………
Wahram dipped his head in a kind of autistic bow.
…………
“…But you have the laser on you wrister. Quick, kill it!”
…………
“You’re keeping it?” “Yes.” She was thirty-eight, with no real relationship in sight now that the…
…………
That was more important than who had sex with McAllister, who anyway wasn’t looking very attractive with her belly swollen in pregnancy and all those tired lines.
…………
The door opened, and in the entry stood a small—very attractive in the way smalls often were—aged, slender, with a neat blond ponytail and a casual blue jacket…
…………
It was old Truman’s drawing of Captain Aura
Rhanes, the sexy Space Sister from the planet Clarion…
…………
Etc. Etc.
February 25, 2020
Strange Serious Science Fiction
I am a science fiction fan but I found these stories to be a bit too intellectual for me. I like a story that is not layers upon layers of cerebral contemplation. The awards winners this year were all thinkers. Sometimes I like stories that surprise me or make me laugh. Not these
The stories are well written. Once you finish a story, it makes you think.
But if you like serious stuff this book is for you.
I am a science fiction fan but I found these stories to be a bit too intellectual for me. I like a story that is not layers upon layers of cerebral contemplation. The awards winners this year were all thinkers. Sometimes I like stories that surprise me or make me laugh. Not these
The stories are well written. Once you finish a story, it makes you think.
But if you like serious stuff this book is for you.
February 19, 2023
I wanted to reignite the joy I used to feel when reading SF, and chose a book I was sure I’d love. Unfortunately this book did no reigniting. A few of the stories were ok, but nothing in them really made me think or feel, nothing surprised me. None of it was really bad either, just… well, a bit meh.
October 5, 2022
Meh. Mostly short stories that could have been shorter.
Read
July 6, 2016 Immersion - strong A.I. story (what is it with all the Vietnamese names and references, Author's cultural fetish?The writer is 1/2 or 1/4 Viet so she 's probably fascinated by her ancestral roots is my only explanatio
n )
2313 winning novel excerpt - too short to tell
Andy Duncan's winning story - overrated IMO
Ken Lui - I always enjoy his work
The best is probably the one by Nancy Kress
GEne Wolfe: it is very hard to write accomplished works in the style of Gene Wolf, so layered, because it may require 2nd or 3 rd re-reads and who would invest the time just to get into a novel or short story.
n )
2313 winning novel excerpt - too short to tell
Andy Duncan's winning story - overrated IMO
Ken Lui - I always enjoy his work
The best is probably the one by Nancy Kress
GEne Wolfe: it is very hard to write accomplished works in the style of Gene Wolf, so layered, because it may require 2nd or 3 rd re-reads and who would invest the time just to get into a novel or short story.
June 8, 2014
A selection of this past year’s Nebula award winners and nominees showcases a varied mix of stories and excerpts. My favorites were the more character-oriented entries: “After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall”,a Nancy Kress eco-thriller about a group of post-apocalypstic survivors who travel back in time, kidnapping children to help ensure humanity’s survival, and “Christmas Inn” by Gene Wolf, a deceptive, deep and textured tale about a struggling family hosting some strange guests on Christmas Eve. Some big, provocative ideas.
August 21, 2014
It was reading this that I discovered Nancy Kress, whose works I have fallen in love with. I also read several pieces that I was amazed by that I know I wouldn't've read otherwise because they were so short.
March 6, 2015
It was entertaining to read some "modern" SciFi, in contrast to the classics which had flying cars and spaceships but no cellphones or internet. However, I did not find anything outstanding in this book.
January 19, 2016
I enjoyed the book. I wanted to see what the Nebula Awards considered good science fiction. I liked most of the book and was interested in the different categories. The novel was not included, just the first chapter.
June 23, 2014
As usual with a Nebula Awards Showcase, I thought every story in the collection was fantastic. This is worth your time!
August 15, 2014
This would be worth reading even if it only included Nancy Kress and Ken Liu's stories. Those are my two favorites of last year. With the others added in, it's a very strong collection.
January 13, 2015
Highly uneven collection.
February 24, 2016
OK but not a knock out this year.
April 5, 2015
The Rhysling poem awards at the end of the book were a welcome surprise.
March 5, 2015
The excellent Gene Wolfe story "Christmas Inn" is definitely worth reading, and the only reason I bumped my rating of this up to three stars. The rest? Various shades of "okay."
November 16, 2015
Lecturas cortas para vivir en realidades alternas y dejar un ratito el mundo cotidiano. Muy buenos y lo nuevo para mi fueron las poesías de ciencia ficción.
February 2, 2016
I only read the short works in here, and not all of them. Most weren't quite to my taste, though they contained some interesting ideas.
April 19, 2016
all one hopes for.
ranging through the best of the year, this anthology gives tons of bang for your buck although leaning a bit far towards the cryptic for this simple exsailor.
ranging through the best of the year, this anthology gives tons of bang for your buck although leaning a bit far towards the cryptic for this simple exsailor.
July 9, 2014
anthologies are a mixed bag, and this was no different. It is worth reading.
April 13, 2017
It's hard to rate a collection of short stories by different authors; Does the collection as a whole rise to it's best story? Then this is a five-star read ("Immersion" by Aliette de Bodard). Does it descend to it's worst? No. I settled on an average which is probably the least meaningful, but I am required to choose.
Collectively they have a slightly dark and surreal feel, but some are excellent and engaging whether you lean that way or not. That is the power of good writing and ultimately why we read.
Besides providing new thoughts and experiences this collection exposes us to authors we may want to seek out in the future. Many present as excerpts from unfinished novels. I prefer shorter stories and ones designed to be self-contained.
Collectively they have a slightly dark and surreal feel, but some are excellent and engaging whether you lean that way or not. That is the power of good writing and ultimately why we read.
Besides providing new thoughts and experiences this collection exposes us to authors we may want to seek out in the future. Many present as excerpts from unfinished novels. I prefer shorter stories and ones designed to be self-contained.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews