The Year's Best Science FictionThe Year's Best Science Fiction
In 1983 Gardner Dozois began publishing an annual
collection of short science fiction. He usually includes around 25 stories and
no more than two from any author. The collection usually catches all the Hugo
and Nebula award winners as well as less well-known gems. If you only have the
time or inclination to read one collection of short fiction a year, this is
the one to buy (and I think everyone
should try to read a little short fiction each year). Lately I have been poring
through some of the older volumes of this series, in particular numbers 1, 4,
and 5. Like any collection, the quality is mixed and, like any 15 year old collection,
some of the stories feel dated. But as usual there are some real gems, particularly
by Bruce Sterling and Greg Bear. I love reading these sorts of stories because
with most writers their output of novels is limited and sometimes uneven in
quality. By reading their shorter fiction you broaden your approach to their
work and often develop a new appreciation for their insights and abilities.
And by poring through some of the older collections you can read an author as
an exercise in intellectual history, watching recurring themes, characters,
and worlds develop. Go out and buy the latest volume and experience the wonder
of a wisely selected collection of the best science fiction has to offer.
Having read several of these on my Handspring Visor
while I was in Indonesia (it was hard to buy science fiction books, and actually,
these are great to have on your PalmPilot for those times when you don't have
an actual book around), I have to concur with Sven's assessment. I also read
"The Good Old Stuff" in that format, and I think I can safely say
that Dozois is the best editor that I have ever read. His choices for what to
include are consistently excellent, and I greatly enjoy reading his prefaces
to the stories, which are interesting and informative.
