Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine 30th Anniversary Anthology, by Sheila Williams (ed.)

[keilexandra]

Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine 30th Anniversary Anthology
by Sheila Williams (ed.)
349 pages (trade paperback)
Genre: Fiction/SF

I'm going to just record my personal reader-thoughts on each of the stories, since short stories are very much a matter of taste anyway and this is outside my usual genre. Hopefully you know me well enough to be able to

Comments

[buymeaclue]

Oh, do follow up on the Butler and Link! You will not be the least little bit disappointed; they both write at really consistent levels of wonderful.

I haven't read that particular Willis story, but in general I'm a big fan of her work. She is a bit polarizing, though; people tend to either love or hate her stuff, without a whole lot of in-between. She does a lot of stuff that's kind of screwball and a lot of other stuff that involves wacky academics. She's capable of a lovely turn of melancholy, though--see "Last of the Winnebagos" and her gorgeous first novel Lincoln's Dreams--and that's when I think she's at her best.

I get the impression from her work that she really likes people, and that goes a long way with me.

>I like the concept of parodying dullness, but the parody part didn't really work.

Snerk!

[keilexandra]

I suspect that I may be on the negative end of the Willis spectrum, but I did get the impression of writerly skill, so I'll give her another try. Do you have any non-historical-miltary recs? It is very, very hard for historical military stories to work for me; I still can't get past the first twenty pages of TEMERAIRE, and that's fantasy.

[buymeaclue]

I don't really read military stuff, alas. The Hornblower series is an exception.

[keilexandra]

No no, I meant non-military/historical military recs. XD Straight historical is fine.

[buymeaclue]

Wait...I'm confused. What are you asking for, exactly? Maybe without the non- bit; I think that's where I'm getting stuck.

(Sorry to be so dense!)

[keilexandra]

Hee, sorry for being confusing! What I mean is: I'd like a rec of Willis's work (preferably a novel or a short story available online, since it's easier to find) that doesn't involve military themes.

[buymeaclue]

Oh! That makes sense. Somehow I forgot we were talking about Willis...all becomes clear

[keilexandra]

I am also very iffy about the Civil War, so I will pass on LINCOLN'S DREAMS, but TO SAY NOTHING OF THE DOG sounds amusing. Have added DOOMSDAY BOOK to my list, as well.

[coffeeandink]

I like Willis and do not like military novels, but adored Lincoln Dreams. In general, though, I prefer her short fiction, so I'd recommend starting with Fire Watch or Impossible Things.

[keilexandra]

Thanks for the recs!