Scan barcode
A review by bigenk
The Best Science Fiction of the Year 1 by Terry Carr
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
A short story anthology defined by it's highs an lows. Carr was able to pull together a number of excellent pieces, and while the shorter works were mostly filler, they weren't immediately terrible for the most part. I've heard good things about Carr as a creator of these anthologies, and I'm glad to find that reputation backed-up here.
The highlights include:
The Queen of Air and Darkness, by Poul Anderson
An ethereal and suspenseful tale about how folklore gets twisted into the stories of humans. Great characters and a wonderful concept.
In Entropy’s Jaws, by Robert Silverberg
Some of my favorite Silverberg writing I've read so far, as a psychic mediator slowly begins to loose his sense of self, and of the timeline of events. The prose is excellent, a wonderful portrayal of mental illness. Wonderful ending to boot.
A Meeting with Medusa, by Arthur C. Clarke
This is classic Clarke, through and through. An ace pilot floats a balloon into the upper atmosphere of Jupiter and beholds the planet's wonders. The characters fall to the background, letting the location itself take main stage.
Vaster Than Empires and More Slow , by Ursula K. Le Guin
The first writing that I've had the pleasure to experience from Le Guin. A team of colonists settle a vast forest world, with an empath leading the show. The characterizations are top notch, and the message of nature's ability to form complex relationships is great.
Overall, not a bad selection, with a few stand-outs that will stick with me for awhile. Definitely looking for more anthologies by Terry Carr in the future.
The highlights include:
The Queen of Air and Darkness, by Poul Anderson
An ethereal and suspenseful tale about how folklore gets twisted into the stories of humans. Great characters and a wonderful concept.
In Entropy’s Jaws, by Robert Silverberg
Some of my favorite Silverberg writing I've read so far, as a psychic mediator slowly begins to loose his sense of self, and of the timeline of events. The prose is excellent, a wonderful portrayal of mental illness. Wonderful ending to boot.
A Meeting with Medusa, by Arthur C. Clarke
This is classic Clarke, through and through. An ace pilot floats a balloon into the upper atmosphere of Jupiter and beholds the planet's wonders. The characters fall to the background, letting the location itself take main stage.
Vaster Than Empires and More Slow , by Ursula K. Le Guin
The first writing that I've had the pleasure to experience from Le Guin. A team of colonists settle a vast forest world, with an empath leading the show. The characterizations are top notch, and the message of nature's ability to form complex relationships is great.
Overall, not a bad selection, with a few stand-outs that will stick with me for awhile. Definitely looking for more anthologies by Terry Carr in the future.