The 1986 Annual World's Best SF. edited by Donald A. Wollheim
The 1986 Annual World’s Best SF
RATED 75% POSITIVE. STORY SCORE = 3.9 / 5
10 STORIES : 2 GREAT / 6 GOOD / 1 AVERAGE / 1 POOR / 0 DNF
It is interesting to compare “Best of the Year” anthologies from different editors. Traditionally I have preferred Donald A Wollheim’s svelt book that limit to ten stories over Gardner Dozois giant ‘doorstops.” Both are excellent and worthy volumes, but Wolleim’s often feels more sharp and focused. Unfortunately the 1986 Wolheim feels a bit weaker overall than the 1986 Dozois. And on the high end, Dozois highlighted stories that I consider some of the SF’s very greatest works and were completely missing from the DAW.
World’s Best Science Fiction - Donald A. Wollheim (and sometimes Terry Carr)
1967 - 79%. 1968 - 88% 1973 - 85% 1975 - 90% 1978 - 85% 1981 - 95%. 1984 - 80%
Robert Silverberg’s future epic “Sailing to Byzantium” towers above any conversation of the greatest science fiction of 1985 with the included “Jaguar Hunter” by Lucius Shepard between an impressive and visceral work of Fantasy. *limited from Great status only because this blog focuses firmly on science fiction. Beyond those two - and the “Webrider” by Jayge Carr - many of these stories were pleasant reads but slipped away from my mind shortly after reading.
This book had two stories for the Great List:
Sailing to Byzantium • (1985) • novella by Robert Silverberg. One of the greatest stories of the far future. A man from the 20th century is transported to far far future where people build and explore cities of the past. A wealth of lush detail, believably strange situations, and deep worth-building. This is an hypnotic epic.
Webrider • (1985) • short story by Jayge Carr. Webriders travel through space, using their minds and bodies to transport the most valuable materials. It is incredibly dangerous. Less than 1% of people can do it without exploding into nothingness. This story is a slice of life for a webrider as she interacts with ‘groupies’ and ‘wannabes.”
The 1986 Annual World’s Best SF is rated 75% positive
10 Stories : 2 great / 6 good / 1 average / 1 poor / 0 DNF
Earthgate • [The Expediter • 2] • (1985) • novelette by J. Brian Clarke
Good. A planet halfway between earth and an alien race is full of gates that connect the universe instantaneously, but no gate has been found on either race’s home world. A woman is sent to investigate those gates and experiences intrigue and danger in the process.
On the Dream Channel Panel • (1985) • short story by Ian Watson
Poor. A number of people are experience ‘commercials’ for otherworldly food products in their dreams. A fun idea that get horribly derailed by the writer infatuation with sexualizing a young girl.
The Gods of Mars • (1985) • novelette by Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois and Michael Swanwick
Good. The first men scheduled to set foot on Mars find the weather not cooperating and their mission delayed. When they are able to descend, it will be both unlike and exactly like what they expected.
The Jaguar Hunter • (1985) • novelette by Lucius Shepard
Good. Magical Realism of a man sent to fight a Jaguar to save his family. Visceral and well written, with a richly humid depiction of Latin America.
Sailing to Byzantium • (1985) • novella by Robert Silverberg
Great. One of the greatest stories of the far future. A man from the 20th century is transported to far far future where people build and explore cities of the past. A wealth of lush detail, believably strange situations, and deep worth-building. This is an hypnotic epic.
Webrider • (1985) • short story by Jayge Carr
Great. Webriders travel through space, using their minds and bodies to transport the most valuable materials. It is incredibly dangerous. Less than 1% of people can do it without exploding into nothingness. This story is a slice of life for a webrider as she interacts with ‘groupies’ and ‘wannabes.”
With Virgil Oddum at the East Pole • (1985) • short story by Harlan Ellison
Good. On a rehabilitation planet of ice and a simple alien race, a man has his quiet world upended when another man shows up injured. The new arrival doesn’t want to leave and cultivates a better relationship with the natives.
The Curse of Kings • (1985) • novella by Connie Willis
Good. A very solid adventure-mystery sci-fi tale. A journalist travels to a planet to investigate what has become of members of an archeology team. They are all dead or dying. Is it murder, accident, or a curse?
Fermi and Frost • (1985) • short story by Frederik Pohl
Good. A thought experiment of life during a nuclear winter. On this reread, I rated this story higher than before. I was originally put off by the fairytale style to the language, but now appreciate more what Pohl was trying to accomplish.
Pots • (1985) • novelette by C. J. Cherryh
Average. A representative of the Lord Magistrate comes down to a planet to check on an archeological site, but finds that it contradicts the desires of the Lord Magistrate. Good start, but falls apart.
