Here's some quick comments by Bryan...
My comments on "The Year's Best SF #3" which was edited by David G. Hartwell:
Thanks to Mary for sending me this. It's really quite awesome.
Several stand out stories include:
"The Wisdom of Old Earth" by Michael Swanwick
- this story also gets into race relations. I find this very interesting, as I am a white male married to a North American Indian woman. This story really resonates strongly at the end, and can really make you think. Definitely one of the stories with emotions, and possibly good enough to be one of the best stories of the 90's.
"Beauty in the Night" by Robert Silverberg
- I love Silverberg's work, and this one is well-written as always. Characterization is perfect, and the dialogue and actions very convincing. If this is part of a collection of stories in the same setting, then I've got to find that book when it comes out.
"Always True to Thee" in My Fashion" by Nancy Kress
- Wow, what a concept! This is SF satire at its best, at a time when satire is hard to find. You can get a lot of hard SF, or SF adventure, but the really good satire is always a treat. Hartwell picked a winner here, and Kress continues to be impressive!
"Universal Emulators" by Tom Cool
- I'd not read Cool before, but he's quite good. I didn't think the ending was a strong as it should be, but the concept is very vivid and fresh. I would also like more explanation as to how the wife saw through his disguise, but it was fine escapist reading.
"The Nostalginauts" by S.N. Dyer
- This was fascinating. I can see a whole collection of stories written in this "universe" that cover a whole spectrum of themes. I'm hoping to see more of Dyer's unique time travel concept.
"Guest Law" by John C. Wright
- seems like a typical spaceship story, but this one sticks with you days and days after reading it. Reminds me of comic books when I was a kid, but somehow oddly compelling. It certainly wasn't the story I expected to read, and I was very pleasantly surprised. I like the concept of planets being too hard to find, thus the only feasible living accomodations being spaceships. Cool.
"Yeyuka" by Greg Egan
- maybe the best story in the lot, this should also be in the best stories of the 90's. Very strong characterization and a deep study of the spirit of sacrifice based on the feelings. Does each person who sacrifices something feel resentment? guilt? reluctance? Really good work here!
These stories didn't work so well for me:
Gibson ("13 Views of..." , Benford ("The Voice"), James Patrick Kelly ("Itsy Bitsy Spider), Garcia y Robertson ("Fair Verona"), & Kim Newman ("Great Western").
But you might feel differently. Anyways, this book is definitely a winner, so I'm glad it was suggested!
Bryan
