The New Hugo Winners, Volume IV, 1992-1994

by Gregory Benford (Editor), Janet Kagan, Lucius Shepard

Since 1953, the annual Hugo Awards presented at the World Science Fiction Convention have been as coveted by SF writers as is the Oscar in the motion picture field--and SF fans recognize it as a certain indicator of the finest in science fiction. Now bestselling author Gregory Benford presents the Hugo winners for 1992, 1993, and 1994 in a book that will be a must-buy for all SF readers.

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories, Fiction

544 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1997

About the author

Gregory Benford is an American science fiction author and astrophysicist who is on the faculty of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of California, Irvine.

As a science fiction author, Benford is best known for the Galactic Center Saga novels, beginning with In the Ocean of Night (1977). This series postulates a galaxy in which sentient organic life is in constant warfare with sentient mechanical life.

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Introduced me to Nancy Kress' Beggars series and that alone was worth the entire price.

[Charlie Eckhaus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall worthwhile, but only a few stellar entries.

A Walk in the Sun: What I expect The Martian to be like. Not sure what to make of strangely abrupt (non-)resolution.
Gold: Unusual idea, compactly told.
Beggars in Spain: Most impressive and absorbing, well thought-out; will by all means seek out sequels
Even the Queen: Beats me how this was considered award-worthy; light and unappealing
The Nutcracker Coup: I didn't expect this type of story to appear here but it was delightful
Barnacle Bill the Spacer: Occasionally dazzled by the hardboiled writing and was intrigued by the exposition. The closing introspection may have been a bit too much. Unusual for me with regard to my admittedly limited exposure to Shepard -- will need to seek out more.
Death on the Nile: Atmospheric but somewhat predictable and ultimately disappointing
Georgia on My Mind: Engrossing, fast-reading. Ending was a bit of a letdown, but an indication that the journey is the reward.
Down in the Bottomlands: Extremely overlong for its plot. Interesting social element thrown in but the significance eludes me.

[Andrej · Rating 4 out of 5]

Discover a collection of award-winning sci-fi short stories, novelettes, and novellas from the 1990s - each with its own distinct flavor.

Among the stories, Beggars in Spain by Nancy Kress is my personal favorite and itself deserves five stars. Its set in the near future, where genetic engineering has enabled a small group of people to live without the need for sleep. Although only a few thousand "sleepless" children are actually born, they outperform unmodified people by a large margin, which leads to increasing discrimination.

Through exploring the themes of bioethics, social justice, and political philosophy, the novella raises some intriguing questions. Most notably: what obligations a "superior" minority owes to the "inferior" majority, and what is the right social order for a society where people are born with vastly different abilities or inherit vastly different levels of wealth?

I like the answer gently offered by Kress: a resilient society requires indirect reciprocity and not only purely transactional relationships - you help me today, I help someone else tomorrow, they may help you in the future...

Although my review may sound dry and theoretical, the novella itself is character-driven, and the philosophical ideas are seamlessly woven into the narrative without detracting from the plot. Beggars in Spain is a thought-provoking and engaging read that is not to be missed.

[Howard]

4

[Bill Borre]

"Georgia On My Mind" by Charles Sheffield - The protagonist and his friend Bill head to New Zealand to seek out an early version of Babbage's analytical engine.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Science Fiction,Anthology