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A review by raven_morgan
The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year, Volume 8 by Jonathan Strahan
4.0
It’s nigh impossible to try to keep up with everything published in the speculative fiction field these days. This is where “Year’s Best” anthologies come in very useful. Absolutely, each editor is going to have a different idea of what consititutes “best”, dependent upon personal interest and worldviews, but any of the annual anthologies are a damn good place to begin looking for an idea of the shape of the speculative fiction field in any given year.
In the introduction to volume eight of “The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year”, Johnathan Strahan expresses a desire to only include stories that are absolutely speculative in nature. The resultant stories in this volume reflect that wish admirably.
Many of the individual stories in this volume didn’t grab me, or simply weren’t for me (see the personal interest and worldview note above). However, there were some absolutely remarkable stories included.
The first standout for me was Yoon-Ha Lee’s “Effigy Nights”. Absolutely gorgeous language, and a truly unique fantasy world. There is a feeling of this being only a small glimpse into a much greater, and vastly enchanting world.
Proving that speculative fiction can contain much quieter elements, M. John Harrison’s “Cave and Julia” shows the reader a strange and haunted world, with memorable characters and sparsely beautiful language.
Possibly the standout story for me was “Water” by Ramez Naam. Science fiction works here as a warning, extrapolating into what seems like an all too possible future for advertising. Keeps you thinking long after you’ve finished reading this one.
Ted Chiang’s “The Truth of Fact, The Truth of Feeling” presents a world in which digital memory is real – Remem allows anyone to record their life, to be able to go back and rewatch memories any time they wish. Paralleling this story is another one, where written language is introduced into a culture previously only possessing an oral tradition. Extremely clever and engaging storytelling.
A darker world is presented in Priya Sharma’s “Rag and Bone”, evoking both Victorian literature with a steampunk edge. There is something horribly fascinating about the world Sharma presents, everything edged with hidden menace.
Lavie Tidhar’s “The Book Seller” will appeal to many writers and readers, evoking a love of science fiction with a love of books. Absolutely gorgeous science fiction.
Several of the stories held deep emotional impact. James Patrick Kelly’s “The Promise of Space” is a quiet and sorrowful tale of the reality of space travel. Sofia Samatar’s “Selkie Stories are for Losers” translates mythology into reality. Both of these stories, in particular, lingered emotionally for me long after I had finished reading.
Karen Tidback’s “Sing” drew the reader into a fascinating science fictional world – this world feels truly novel, the characters who inhabit it finely drawn. This is science fiction of wonder at its best.
The final story which really stood out for me was Caitlin R Kiernan’s “The Road of Needles.” I will confess to being a long time fan of Kiernan’s fiction, and this story will be no disappointment to anyone who loves her way with words and imagery. Probably among her best.
Overall, this volume presents a varied collection of what truly feels like the best science fiction and fantasy for the year. Not all of the stories appealed to me, but those that did, truly did. Definitely recommended collection, especially if (like pretty much everyone) you don’t have the time to keep up with all of the short fiction published in the year.
In the introduction to volume eight of “The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year”, Johnathan Strahan expresses a desire to only include stories that are absolutely speculative in nature. The resultant stories in this volume reflect that wish admirably.
Many of the individual stories in this volume didn’t grab me, or simply weren’t for me (see the personal interest and worldview note above). However, there were some absolutely remarkable stories included.
The first standout for me was Yoon-Ha Lee’s “Effigy Nights”. Absolutely gorgeous language, and a truly unique fantasy world. There is a feeling of this being only a small glimpse into a much greater, and vastly enchanting world.
Proving that speculative fiction can contain much quieter elements, M. John Harrison’s “Cave and Julia” shows the reader a strange and haunted world, with memorable characters and sparsely beautiful language.
Possibly the standout story for me was “Water” by Ramez Naam. Science fiction works here as a warning, extrapolating into what seems like an all too possible future for advertising. Keeps you thinking long after you’ve finished reading this one.
Ted Chiang’s “The Truth of Fact, The Truth of Feeling” presents a world in which digital memory is real – Remem allows anyone to record their life, to be able to go back and rewatch memories any time they wish. Paralleling this story is another one, where written language is introduced into a culture previously only possessing an oral tradition. Extremely clever and engaging storytelling.
A darker world is presented in Priya Sharma’s “Rag and Bone”, evoking both Victorian literature with a steampunk edge. There is something horribly fascinating about the world Sharma presents, everything edged with hidden menace.
Lavie Tidhar’s “The Book Seller” will appeal to many writers and readers, evoking a love of science fiction with a love of books. Absolutely gorgeous science fiction.
Several of the stories held deep emotional impact. James Patrick Kelly’s “The Promise of Space” is a quiet and sorrowful tale of the reality of space travel. Sofia Samatar’s “Selkie Stories are for Losers” translates mythology into reality. Both of these stories, in particular, lingered emotionally for me long after I had finished reading.
Karen Tidback’s “Sing” drew the reader into a fascinating science fictional world – this world feels truly novel, the characters who inhabit it finely drawn. This is science fiction of wonder at its best.
The final story which really stood out for me was Caitlin R Kiernan’s “The Road of Needles.” I will confess to being a long time fan of Kiernan’s fiction, and this story will be no disappointment to anyone who loves her way with words and imagery. Probably among her best.
Overall, this volume presents a varied collection of what truly feels like the best science fiction and fantasy for the year. Not all of the stories appealed to me, but those that did, truly did. Definitely recommended collection, especially if (like pretty much everyone) you don’t have the time to keep up with all of the short fiction published in the year.