Yes, I am aware that it is actually Saturday. Nonetheless, at noon on Friday this week’s short fiction post went live over at SF Signal.
This week I reviewed the latest issue of Lightspeed magazine, and it was a good one. The Science Fiction was stronger than the Fantasy in this issue, in my opinion, but there were stories worth reading in both genres and the great thing about the magazine is that as the month rolls on each story, as well as the nonfiction, is released for free reading on their site. Nonfiction in this month’s issue includes interviews with authors Jane Yolen and Brandon Sanderson.
I was most excited about the inclusion of a new, non-Wool, story by Hugh Howey. It will be released for free reading on April 23.
The art for this month’s cover, which I think is fantastic, is by artist Armand Baltazar. I had the pleasure of meeting him and seeing his work at last year’s Spectrum Fantastic Art Live event. Check out the link for his interview and samples of his work.
Thanks for joining me for this Sunday’s short story selection. “Robot” by Helena Bell is one of the stories nominated for this year’s Nebula Award. The story was featured in the September 2012 issue of Clarkesworld and along with “Immersion” by Aliette de Bodard is one of my favorite picks for the award. When I first reviewed the story for SF Signal I wrote:
“Bell’s story is constructed as a conversation in which the reader sees only one side, that of an older woman as she instructs the alien robot purchased to process the diseased flesh of her feet and legs. Or perhaps it is not a “conversation” at all but instead a running commentary that may be occurring aloud or simply within the mind of the protagonist. The story is brilliantly conceived and executed in that it conveys a sense of the passage of time, reveals much about the protagonist’s past and present, paints a picture for the reader of what the world looks like in the future that Helena Bell has created and offers layers of meaning all while maintaining this deceptively simple structure. The horrifying nature of the procedure this woman is undergoing is ever present while her litany of instructions as to how this being must act shows a wide range of emotions that she is undergoing, the stages of grief on display as well as evidence of the first signs of dementia. The one-sided structure of the story lends an air of suspicion that makes the reader question what is real and what is imagination with Bell leaving bread crumbs to lead one down either path.”
And that is about all I want to share with those who have not read the story. This morning’s reading, in preparation for the discussion to follow, is my third and I was startled with the things that caught my eye with this reading as opposed to the previous two. It speaks to the strengths of the story that it reveals so much outside of the very narrow focus of the protagonist and what is occurring in her life.
Take a few minutes to give “Robot” a read and then come and share your thoughts.
It is once again Friday, and that means I’ve been reading some of the latest short fiction offerings in Science Fiction and Fantasy in order to bring them to your attention, dear readers. Due to some time constraints this week I had to switch things up and so instead of part two of the latest issue of Asimov’s I read the original fiction selections from the latest edition of Clarkesworld.
These three stories are wonderfully weird and certainly out of the science fiction norm. If you are looking for something that challenges your definitions of science fiction then head over and check out my review on SF Signal. All three stories are up for free reading on the Clarkesworld site and the links are in my non-spoiler reviews.
Have a wonderful April weekend everyone! Get outside and enjoy the Spring weather, if you’ve got it, and don’t forget to make time for journeying into world’s fantastic and wonderful.
I’m off tomorrow to see Wil Wheaton at Kansas City’s Planet Comicon!
(Image by John Jude Palencar, used under Creative Commons License. Image copyright John Jude Palencar)
Kristine Kathyrn Rusch has become for me a name synonymous with good story telling. While the quality of any author’s work various from creation to creation I have yet to be disappointed with Rusch’s offerings and “Purity Test” is no exception. This short story, that feels as if it is nestled in the same woods in which a beauty slept and a girl with long hair was held captive, is the first fairy tale I’ve read from the author. It reminds me strongly of the work of Angela Carter in the The Bloody Chamber collection. “Purity Test” is woven from a tapestry of familiar stories, shot through with a thread of ever-darkening suspense that makes for a satisfying read. A rewarding story that satisfies while leaving the reader wanting more.
If you’ve not yet done so, follow this link over to the Lightspeed magazine website and give “Purity Test” a read. Then join us below for a discussion of the story.
Thank God it is Friday! And not just because of the celebration of short fiction! I don’t know about the rest of you, but it has been one long week here. The week started with a large dumping of snow on Sunday and is ending with a predicted high of 67 degrees. We’ve had computer training several days this week on top of meetings on top of project deadlines on top of all the unexpected things that crop up during any given week. Whew! I’m tired. And on top of that I’ve had to try to work in time to get some reading done! I am ready for the weekend.
This week over at SF Signal I review the first part of this double issue of Asimov’s and will follow up with the second part next Friday. Thus far this is a really good issue of the magazine. Neal Asher’s novella opens the story section with modern Blade-Runner-ish visuals and a morally ambiguous character that you still find yourself rooting for. The other two stories I reviewed this week were enjoyable as well.
Editor Sheila Williams’ writings on real life astronauts continues with another great editorial. And Robert Silverberg waxes eloquent about his desk (a link to this article is in the post).
And if you are participating, or want to participate, in any short story reading for Once Upon a Time VII, don’t forget to read Purity Test by Kristine Kathryn Rusch and join us in the discussion on Sunday.
