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mary_soon_lee's review against another edition
From Titan, to Chernobyl, to Nigeria, the stories in this issue of F&SF are varied in setting and mood, ranging from space-faring science fiction to eighteenth-century fantasy. I like the variety, as per usual, and thought this a particularly strong issue.
"The Satyr of Brandenberg," a fine novelet by Charlotte Ashley, left me wanting to read more about the characters' adventures. Chi Hui's story, "Deep Sea Fish," translated by Brian Bies, reminded me, yet again, how much I enjoy stories set elsewhere in our solar system. I liked the humor and warmth of Joseph Bruchac's short story, "The Next to Last of the Mohegans." I admired Jeff Crandall's dark and clever acrostic poem "After the Wolf."
Though I liked the pieces named above, I liked the novella, Andy Stewart's "Likho," better yet: a beautifully-told, haunting story about the aftermath of Chernobyl. I also found myself strongly moved by Susan Palwick's compassionate novelet, "Hideous Flowerpots," which is not the type of story I usually favor, yet in Palwick's hands is affecting and effective.
Both "Likho" and "Hideous Flowerpots" might have been my favorite story in another issue. But this issue contained "A Dog of Wu" by Ted Rabinowitz, my favorite story in at least the past four issues. I found it evocative, eloquent, carefully-narrated, its setting layered and rich, my sympathy for the main character drawing me deeper into a story that is still resonating with me. Excellent.
"The Satyr of Brandenberg," a fine novelet by Charlotte Ashley, left me wanting to read more about the characters' adventures. Chi Hui's story, "Deep Sea Fish," translated by Brian Bies, reminded me, yet again, how much I enjoy stories set elsewhere in our solar system. I liked the humor and warmth of Joseph Bruchac's short story, "The Next to Last of the Mohegans." I admired Jeff Crandall's dark and clever acrostic poem "After the Wolf."
Though I liked the pieces named above, I liked the novella, Andy Stewart's "Likho," better yet: a beautifully-told, haunting story about the aftermath of Chernobyl. I also found myself strongly moved by Susan Palwick's compassionate novelet, "Hideous Flowerpots," which is not the type of story I usually favor, yet in Palwick's hands is affecting and effective.
Both "Likho" and "Hideous Flowerpots" might have been my favorite story in another issue. But this issue contained "A Dog of Wu" by Ted Rabinowitz, my favorite story in at least the past four issues. I found it evocative, eloquent, carefully-narrated, its setting layered and rich, my sympathy for the main character drawing me deeper into a story that is still resonating with me. Excellent.
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