This year’s Nebula Awards (which is always about two years behind when they are actually awarded – I don’t recall why right off hand), took a look at the history of SFandF from the 1950’s through the 1990’s.
It was a mixed bag of stories, yet there were strands of familiarity or similarity running through the selections.
The featured author’s were:
The Spacetime Pool Catherine Asaro (novella) – the story of a young woman who is pulled from one timeline into a different timeline where physics and mathematical constructs are the same yet represented differently. She is part of a prophecy between two twin brothers, one who rules as a tyrant and one who could rule with a compassionate heart and whichever one she marries will rule all. I found this one tedious. Pride and Prometheus John Kessel (novelette) A blending of Pride and Prejudice and Frankenstein. Left me dissatisfied all the way round.
Trophy Wives Nina Kiriki Hoffman (short story) Well written and engaging. Two women share an unusual bond and an even stronger mission.
Powers Ursula K. LeGuin (novel excerpt) Hmm…can’t recall what this one was about. Must not have made an impression on me.
Flora’s Dare Ysabeau S. Wilce (novel excerpt) Very well written and intriguing. Usually not wild about young adult, but this one was mature enough for my tastes along with an interesting world setting that if time permits I would add this to the reading list.
There is also a inside look at the script to WALL-E, a selection of poetry (which I usually skip if it’s more than a page long), and selected introductions by several prominent authors introducing each decade and the authors that made up that decade. Some I read, others I skipped.
It will be interesting to see what the book group thinks of this selection
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