Nebula Awards Showcase 2005

Nebula Awards Showcases #39

by Jack Dann (Editor), Richard Bowes (Contributor), Charles L. Harness (Contributor)

Contents

* 1 • Introduction (Nebula Awards Showcase 2005) • essay by Jack Dann
* 8 • The Mask of the Rex • [Files of the Time Rangers] • (2002) • novelette by Richard Bowes
* 29 • The Last of the O-Forms • (2002) • shortstory by James Van Pelt
* 42 • Movements in Science Fiction and Fantasy: A Symposium - Introduction • essay by Jack Dann
* 44 • Movements in Science Fiction and Fantasy: A Symposium - Deep in the Heart of the State of the Art • essay by Bruce Sterling
* 47 • Movements in Science Fiction and Fantasy: A Symposium - New Weird • essay by China Miéville
* 51 • Movements in Science Fiction and Fantasy: A Symposium - The New Space Opera • essay by Paul J. McAuley [as by Paul McAuley ]
* 54 • Movements in Science Fiction and Fantasy: A Symposium - The Interstitial Arts Foundation • essay by Ellen Kushner
* 58 • Movements in Science Fiction and Fantasy: A Symposium - The Romantic Underground: An Exploration of a Nonexistent and Self-Denying Nonmovement • essay by Jeff VanderMeer
* 65 • Grandma • (2002) • shortstory by Carol Emshwiller
* 74 • Grand Master Robert Silverberg: The Stochastic Writer • essay by Barry N. Malzberg
* 78 • Sundance • (1969) • shortstory by Robert Silverberg
* 92 • Lambing Season • (2002) • shortstory by Molly Gloss
* 103 • 0wnz0red • (2002) • novelette by Cory Doctorow
* 132 • Film: The Year in Review • essay by Lucius Shepard
* 140 • Knapsack Poems • [Goxhat] • (2002) • shortstory by Eleanor Arnason
* 157 • Coraline (excerpt) • (2002) • shortfiction by Neil Gaiman
* 173 • What I Didn't See • (2002) • shortstory by Karen Joy Fowler
* 188 • Tripping with the Alchemist • (2003) • essay by Barry N. Malzberg
* 209 • Author Emeritus Charles L. Harness: Wielder of Light • essay by George Zebrowski
* 216 • Quarks at Appomattox • (1983) • shortstory by Charles L. Harness
* 227 • Of a Sweet Slow Dance in the Wake of Temporary Dogs • (2003) • novelette by Adam-Troy Castro
* 250 • Potherb Gardening • (2002) • poem by Ruth Berman
* 251 • Epochs in Exile: A Fantasy Trilogy • (2002) • poem by Charles M. Saplak and Mike Allen [as by Charles Saplak and Mike Allen ]
* 261 • Goodbye to All That • (2003) • shortstory by Harlan Ellison
* 271 • The Story Behind the Book: A Personal View • essay by Elizabeth Moon
* 278 • The Speed of Dark (excerpt) • (2002) • shortfiction by Elizabeth Moon
* 292 • The Empire of Ice Cream • (2003) • novelette by Jeffrey Ford



The Barnes & Noble Review
This "cutting edge of right now" collection of Nebula-nominated stories by the SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America), includes works by Neil Gaiman, Harlan Ellison, Elizabeth Moon, Robert Silverberg, and Cory Doctorow.

James Van Pelt's "The Last of the O-Forms" is a strange story about the owner of a traveling novelty zoo. After the world has been forever changed by a mysterious mutagen, the enterprising entrepreneur, named Trevin, collects a zoological extravaganza of mutant animals that includes a tigerzelle, a crocomouse, and a unigoose. But with all kinds of mutated creatures inhabiting the countryside, the business is on its last legs -- until a unique opportunity presents itself. Jeffrey Ford's Nebula Award–winning novelette "The Empire of Ice Cream" explores synesthesia (the rare capacity to experience a sensory stimulus through more than one faculty) and the supernatural effects of coffee, and Ruth Berman's poem "Potherb Gardening" gives new meaning to the term green thumb. Also included is insightful commentary by Bruce Sterling, China Mi�ville, Paul McAuley, and Jeff VanderMeer that is worth the price of the book alone. p/p

This yearly showcase is in many ways more prestigious -- and historically significant -- than other best-of anthologies because the works included...

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories, Fantasy, Anthologies, Fiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2005

Reviews

[Kelly D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was particularly intrigued by the twist in the story "Of a Sweet Slow Dance in the Wake of Temporary Dogs" by Adam-Troy Castro which reminds me of stories like The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The short stories and excerpts in here are fantastic. After all, it is a compilation showcasing the best of Sci-Fi and Fantasy in 2005. I only give it 3 stars because it had one too many essays and recaps and not enough of the Nebula nominated work.

One short story that I am unlikely to forget is "Of a Sweet Slow Dance in the Wake of Temporary Dogs", by Adam-Troy Castro. It was inspired by that fateful day in September 2001 and it's the kind of story that made me really think-- more so than other (good) sci-fi stories. Another stand-out of the 2005 stand-outs is the poem "Epochs in Exile: A Fantasy Trilogy", by Charles Saplak and Mike Allen. I am a sucker for dragon tales.

[Steven Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great collection of solid stories. My favorite was "0wnz0red" by Cory Doctorow, with "The Empire of Ice Cream" by Jeffrey Ford a close second. The poetry was also surprisingly engaging.

The nonfiction (author retrospectives and a bizarre recounting of book publishing in the 60s) was entirely skippable.

[John Devlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the work seems derivative, and its surprising they would even be considered for the Nebula.

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

{Not in PPLD or PR.}