I've had these anthologies on our shelves for years, possibly since they came out, and never got round to reading them. You remind me that I must get round to it at some time. Although I am familiar with practically all of the stories you mention, so I suspect it would be more a journey of recognition than of discovery.
I am curious at the choices the authors have made. Not too long after this anthology came out, Aldiss was putting together two collections of his own best sf and best fantasy, and I'm pretty sure that 'Manuscript Found in a Police State' doesn't appear in either - so he changed his mind quite quickly.
One small point: 'The Signaller' was the second episode in Pavane, after 'The Lady Anne' (or 'The Lady Margaret' as the title was changed for the novel), and I think the next to last one written (or third from last if you include 'The White Boat') since the stories were written pretty well in reverse order of how they appeared in the novel.
I recall reading those books best part of thirty years ago, Paul, but the fact that the 18/19 year-old me enjoyed them doesn't give me the confidence to recommend them to you in 2009.
Comments 3
Reply
I am curious at the choices the authors have made. Not too long after this anthology came out, Aldiss was putting together two collections of his own best sf and best fantasy, and I'm pretty sure that 'Manuscript Found in a Police State' doesn't appear in either - so he changed his mind quite quickly.
One small point: 'The Signaller' was the second episode in Pavane, after 'The Lady Anne' (or 'The Lady Margaret' as the title was changed for the novel), and I think the next to last one written (or third from last if you include 'The White Boat') since the stories were written pretty well in reverse order of how they appeared in the novel.
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment