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cynthiadeca's review against another edition
4.0
I was rather pleased with this anthology, and given that I don't typically like collections of short stories that's pretty meaningful to me. I loved that it started with The Lottery, that was a story that I read a long time ago in school and rereading it as an adult was very different.
Some of the stories weren't great for me, some were very good, but most were written well and were enjoyable or passable to read. If you like dystopian stories I would definitely recommend checking this out.
Some of the stories weren't great for me, some were very good, but most were written well and were enjoyable or passable to read. If you like dystopian stories I would definitely recommend checking this out.
tricapra's review against another edition
5.0
I cannot stress enough how much I loved this anthology. It was perfectly paced, the stories were in exactly the right order. I can't recall disliking a single one. John Joseph Adams deserves his title as King of the Anthology. If you like dystopian, speculative or science fiction I would say this is a must-read.
moireach's review against another edition
5.0
I am really disappointed that the ebook version is missing a few of the stories (including the one I really wanted to read - by Neil Gaiman who is one of my favourite authors ever) but it's excellent anyway. Will definitely look for other anthologies by John Joseph Adams, he seems to have a knack for choosing great stories!
erinflight's review against another edition
4.0
This is an unusually good short story compilation.
It has some well known short stories I'd already read (The Lottery, The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas) and one I'd been meaning to get to (Repent Harlequin, Said the Ticktockman). And the rest of the short stories were all high quality. I didn't like all of them, but for reasons that have more to do with personal taste than quality.
Basically, I think this is one of those compilations that is actually "Picked out and obtained permission to include the best examples of this particular sub-genre".
Depending on how much you've read, this might mean that there's not much new in this anthology for you. But, I definitely had a good time. If you count "reading with a slowly growing sense of deep unease, wondering if humanity is as corrupt as these authors think we are" as a good time. I do.
It has some well known short stories I'd already read (The Lottery, The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas) and one I'd been meaning to get to (Repent Harlequin, Said the Ticktockman). And the rest of the short stories were all high quality. I didn't like all of them, but for reasons that have more to do with personal taste than quality.
Basically, I think this is one of those compilations that is actually "Picked out and obtained permission to include the best examples of this particular sub-genre".
Depending on how much you've read, this might mean that there's not much new in this anthology for you. But, I definitely had a good time. If you count "reading with a slowly growing sense of deep unease, wondering if humanity is as corrupt as these authors think we are" as a good time. I do.
spikeanderson1's review against another edition
3.0
This is... Ok. Some classics that I've seen elsewhere , and some b level stories from decent authors.
zaphod46's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great collection. The stories are old and new. They are arranged in a particular order that, though there are no official themes, blend similar stories together. For instance, the ecological disaster stories are all near each other, but the ones on the ends overlap in theme with neighboring stories. It is a really great way to read, because you get an idea of the different branches the future could hold.
stevem0214's review against another edition
3.0
Like all books of short stories, there are some winners and some losers here. I think I'd have liked this book better if I hadn't just finished reading Brave New World. I actually bought this one by mistake. It was worth the read though...I hadn't read a book of short stories in a while.
suzemo's review against another edition
4.0
I have an unrepentant love of dystopian stories. I think it's an amazing vehicle to delve into men's psyche, especially when you look at the societies created. I also don't believe in utopia (someone's utopia is always someone else's dystopia).
This anthology is a great collection of different dystopias focusing on different issues. There are newer and older stories. Some of them look at man's (in)humanity, some look at totalitarian issues and how they can be implemented, and some look at the whole.
It's a great set, and it's organized thematically, which is fantastic.
Anything that includes Le Guin's "The Ones That Walk Away from Omelas" is always a win. If that story doesn't punch you in the gut, you're dead inside.
I will say, though, that I think the "choose your own adventure" story was my favorite, just out of childhood glee.
This anthology is a great collection of different dystopias focusing on different issues. There are newer and older stories. Some of them look at man's (in)humanity, some look at totalitarian issues and how they can be implemented, and some look at the whole.
It's a great set, and it's organized thematically, which is fantastic.
Anything that includes Le Guin's "The Ones That Walk Away from Omelas" is always a win. If that story doesn't punch you in the gut, you're dead inside.
I will say, though, that I think the "choose your own adventure" story was my favorite, just out of childhood glee.
libbytx's review against another edition
3.0
Lots of good stories and interesting commentary from Adams, but some of the stories just weren't my cup of tea.
nattyg's review against another edition
3.0
First half of book was great. Second half stumbled a bit. Finished well