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mary_soon_lee's review
I thought this a particularly strong issue of F&SF. As usual, the fiction covers a broad range, from science fiction with a mathematical bent, to Asian-imbued high fantasy, to a story so dark it is preceded by content warnings. Of the eleven stories, all of which were rewarding, I will single out my six favorites.
"Iconoclasma," the mathematically-minded novelette by Hanus Seiner, is notable for its use of topology and also for being translated from Czech, both of which I appreciated. It's good to get a taste of non-English-language science fiction, and Julie Novakova's translation is lucid and eloquent. I found the story unusual and intriguing, though the premise wasn't entirely persuasive to me.
Sean McMullen's short story "Extreme" was a compelling, memorable, and dark science fiction tale about taking life to the limits. I didn't find the ending quite as strong as the rest, but it was an effective story.
J. R. Dawson's science fiction short story "When We Flew Together Through the Ice" is well-told and poignantly affecting. Crucially, it succeeded in making me care strongly about its characters, and I very much wanted the protagonist to find some measure of happiness.
"The Island and Its Boy" has a rare sweetness that is never simplistic. Though the premise is far-fetched, Bo Balder's storytelling skill made me suspend my disbelief. I especially liked the way that the tale stepped back from taking the expected turns.
Nina Kirikia Hoffman's "Other People's Dreams" is another very sweet story, my favorite of the seven short stories. For me, it falls into the category of science fantasy, encompassing both dream-making and spaceflight, though others might read it as straight science fiction. I don't want to give spoilers, but there is a scene near the end that I found exceptional.
Last but far from least, my favorite of the issue's four novelettes is Y. M. Pang's beautifully-written fantasy tale "The Lady of the Butterflies." Set in an Asian-flavored milieu, the story swept me into its world and I didn't want to leave. I found it satisfying from start to finish, its narrator distinctive and sympathetic, and my unfolding understanding of the eponymous Lady of the Butterflies never hitting a wrong note.
"Iconoclasma," the mathematically-minded novelette by Hanus Seiner, is notable for its use of topology and also for being translated from Czech, both of which I appreciated. It's good to get a taste of non-English-language science fiction, and Julie Novakova's translation is lucid and eloquent. I found the story unusual and intriguing, though the premise wasn't entirely persuasive to me.
Sean McMullen's short story "Extreme" was a compelling, memorable, and dark science fiction tale about taking life to the limits. I didn't find the ending quite as strong as the rest, but it was an effective story.
J. R. Dawson's science fiction short story "When We Flew Together Through the Ice" is well-told and poignantly affecting. Crucially, it succeeded in making me care strongly about its characters, and I very much wanted the protagonist to find some measure of happiness.
"The Island and Its Boy" has a rare sweetness that is never simplistic. Though the premise is far-fetched, Bo Balder's storytelling skill made me suspend my disbelief. I especially liked the way that the tale stepped back from taking the expected turns.
Nina Kirikia Hoffman's "Other People's Dreams" is another very sweet story, my favorite of the seven short stories. For me, it falls into the category of science fantasy, encompassing both dream-making and spaceflight, though others might read it as straight science fiction. I don't want to give spoilers, but there is a scene near the end that I found exceptional.
Last but far from least, my favorite of the issue's four novelettes is Y. M. Pang's beautifully-written fantasy tale "The Lady of the Butterflies." Set in an Asian-flavored milieu, the story swept me into its world and I didn't want to leave. I found it satisfying from start to finish, its narrator distinctive and sympathetic, and my unfolding understanding of the eponymous Lady of the Butterflies never hitting a wrong note.
stephen11's review
4.0
Ratings for each story 1 to 5:
NOVELETS
4 THE LADY OF BUTTERFLIES - Y. M. Pang
1 THE ICONOCLASMA - Hanuš Seiner, translated by Julie Novakova
3 EVERY COLOR OF INVISIBLE - Robert Reed
1 THIS CONSTANT NARROWING - Geoff Ryman
SHORT STORIES
3 THANKSGIVING - Jeffrey Ford
2 EXTREME - Sean McMullen
5 OVERWINTERING HABITS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN MERMAID - Abra Staffin-Wiebe
4 OTHER PEOPLE’S DREAMS - Nina Kiriki Hoffman
4 THE BARON AND HIS FLOATING DAUGHTER - Nick DiChario
3 WHEN WE FLEW TOGETHER THROUGH THE ICE - J. R. Dawson
2 THE ISLAND AND ITS BOY - Bo Balder
POEMS
3 ESCAPING THE OGRE - Ruth Berman
DEPARTMENTS
BOOKS TO LOOK FOR - Charles de Lint
BOOKS - James Sallis
4 SCIENCE: SPACE DRIVES - Jerry Oltion
FILMS: STRANGE INVADERS - David J. Skal
COMPETITION #96
COMING ATTRACTIONS
CURIOSITIES - David Langford
INDEX TO VOLUMES 134 & 135
2 COVER BY ALAN M. CLARK FOR “THE ICONOCLASMA”
NOVELETS
4 THE LADY OF BUTTERFLIES - Y. M. Pang
1 THE ICONOCLASMA - Hanuš Seiner, translated by Julie Novakova
3 EVERY COLOR OF INVISIBLE - Robert Reed
1 THIS CONSTANT NARROWING - Geoff Ryman
SHORT STORIES
3 THANKSGIVING - Jeffrey Ford
2 EXTREME - Sean McMullen
5 OVERWINTERING HABITS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN MERMAID - Abra Staffin-Wiebe
4 OTHER PEOPLE’S DREAMS - Nina Kiriki Hoffman
4 THE BARON AND HIS FLOATING DAUGHTER - Nick DiChario
3 WHEN WE FLEW TOGETHER THROUGH THE ICE - J. R. Dawson
2 THE ISLAND AND ITS BOY - Bo Balder
POEMS
3 ESCAPING THE OGRE - Ruth Berman
DEPARTMENTS
BOOKS TO LOOK FOR - Charles de Lint
BOOKS - James Sallis
4 SCIENCE: SPACE DRIVES - Jerry Oltion
FILMS: STRANGE INVADERS - David J. Skal
COMPETITION #96
COMING ATTRACTIONS
CURIOSITIES - David Langford
INDEX TO VOLUMES 134 & 135
2 COVER BY ALAN M. CLARK FOR “THE ICONOCLASMA”
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