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sparklingreader's review against another edition
4.0
The Science Fiction Writer's of America organization—and the Nebula Award—have been around for more than four decades. The Nebula is awarded each year to honor the best of the best in a particular year's short stories, novellas, novels, poems, etc. It is the premier award given to authors of science fiction and fantasy. The winners are chosen by the members of the SFWA and then published in that year's anthology.
In addition to the winners, this year's book includes essays written by some of the top SF writers about such subjects as the history and future of science fiction and fantasy, a round table discussion, and an essay on Canadian publishing.
Overall, like any anthology, I found stories I liked and others I didn't. Had I picked this off the shelf and looked at the first or second story, it would immediately have been put back, but then I would have missed the ones further in that I did enjoy. The first one made no sense to me, had multiple points of view, sometimes within the same paragraph, which made it difficult to follow. Whose head was I supposed to be in? Unfortunately, I've found this seems to becoming more and more popular in "modern" writing. Sorry, but I don't like it.
However, the later stories were more to my traditional liking and I really did enjoy them, as well as the essays. At the back of the book, there is a listing that shows the Nebula winners from the earliest 1965 to today, a list I find most helpful as I will search out some of the stories I've missed when I have time. I found the interspersion of fiction and non-fiction a nice blend that adds to the appeal of the book overall.
Overall if you are a fan of science fiction, then you should definitely pick up a copy of this book. After all, it is the best of the best for the past year. But as with any anthology, understand that there may be stories you like and others you do not. And that's okay. If we all had the same taste, what a boring world this would be.
fa_biene's review
2.0
This left me with mixed feelings: some stories I didn't like at all, some were ok.. Loved the last one, though, "the resurgence of Miss Ankle-Strap Wedgie"
nakedsteve's review
4.0
The Nebula Awards Showcase, a collection put together every year by the SFWA, continues its annoying tradition of creating a title that’s off-by-one, when considering the selections it includes. In other words, this 2007 collection contains award winners and other notable works from 2006. But that’s really just a minor quibble...
The 2007 collection is actually quite strong. Each of the chosen stories truly held their own, and were quite original. “Still Life with Boobs” by Anne Harris was hands down the most strange, bringing back memories of the 1990s song by King Missle called “Detachable Penis”. The other titles were equally well written, though none really fit the classic space opera style you might expect.
In addition, the non-fiction essays this year were also quite good. Unlike prior years, the essayists kept their writing short and to the point, which made them much easier for general public style readers (like me). This was much appreciated.
But the collection ends on a downbeat: the Grand Master award for 2006 went to Harlan Ellison, and for whatever reason, the novella chosen to represent this was a story that contrasted the styles of 1940s and 1960s film. Not science fiction at all. I’ve never been a fan of Ellison, and this selection isn’t likely to make me one either. It’s unfortunate that this appears at the end of the collection, because that means this final feeling is the one I’m left at for the book as a whole, and I have to consciously remind myself that the rest of the book was much better.
So, yeah. Mostly, this was worth reading. 4 of 5 stars.
The 2007 collection is actually quite strong. Each of the chosen stories truly held their own, and were quite original. “Still Life with Boobs” by Anne Harris was hands down the most strange, bringing back memories of the 1990s song by King Missle called “Detachable Penis”. The other titles were equally well written, though none really fit the classic space opera style you might expect.
In addition, the non-fiction essays this year were also quite good. Unlike prior years, the essayists kept their writing short and to the point, which made them much easier for general public style readers (like me). This was much appreciated.
But the collection ends on a downbeat: the Grand Master award for 2006 went to Harlan Ellison, and for whatever reason, the novella chosen to represent this was a story that contrasted the styles of 1940s and 1960s film. Not science fiction at all. I’ve never been a fan of Ellison, and this selection isn’t likely to make me one either. It’s unfortunate that this appears at the end of the collection, because that means this final feeling is the one I’m left at for the book as a whole, and I have to consciously remind myself that the rest of the book was much better.
So, yeah. Mostly, this was worth reading. 4 of 5 stars.
kellyd's review
3.0
You know, this is the second Nebula Awards Showcase book I've read, and for them getting awards, I haven't been that impressed. There are some good ones, but not much has wowed me.
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