Reviewing the 2022 Hugo Award Finalists: Novelettes
THE 2022 HUGO AWARD FINALISTS: NOVELETTES
RATED 83% POSITIVE. STORY SCORE = 3.83 OUT OF 5
6 STORIES: 1 GREAT / 3 GOOD / 2 AVERAGE / 0 POOR / 0 DNF
In Science Fiction short fiction, the Novelettes are often the ‘middle children’ of the awards. Not as sexy and important as the novella end not as sharp and focused as the short stories.
In 2021, the Novelettes were superb - scoring a 92% positive rating. In 2022, they are better than the 2022 Short Story Finalists, but not quite as exceptional.
Last year, I reviewed the 2021 Finalists for Short Stories (7,500 words or less) and the 2021 Finalists for Novelettes (7,500 to 17,500 words.). This year I intend to do the same. This is the post for the 2022 Novelette Finalists.
Once again, all of the finalists are available to read online freely (and importantly legally!). I will share links to where to read each story is a review it. Of course, there will be no spoilers.
Best Novelette
“Bots of the Lost Ark” by Suzanne Palmer (Clarkesworld, Jun 2021)
Great. In deep space, the human crew of a spaceship have been in hibernation while the craft is run by an AI and lots of small bots who have apparently decided that they ARE the crew. A fun quirky adventure that feels like a welcome throwback to SF of an older time.
“Colors of the Immortal Palette” by Caroline M. Yoachim (Uncanny Magazine, Mar/Apr 2021)
Good. Immortality, the arts, and the perspective of being a stranger. The story follows a half-japanese woman who works as a courtesan, artist’s model, and painter in 1800s France. She will eventually achieve immortality from a vampire that sucks energy instead of blood. A nice character study with a feeling of tristesse.
“That Story Isn’t the Story” by John Wiswell (Uncanny Magazine, Nov/Dec 2021)
Good. A tender and poignant tale of a young boy trying to reconnect to himself and the world after leaving the thrall of a vampire. Overstays its welcome in the last few pages, but before that is a tight look at abuse and slow recovery.
“Unseelie Brothers, Ltd.” by Fran Wilde (Uncanny Magazine, May/Jun 2021)
Good. A fun and frivolous fantasy of a magical dress boutique that only occasionally materializes. A young design student gets the opportunity to work within and it changes her career and the path
“O2 Arena” by Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki (Galaxy’s Edge, Nov 2021)
Average. In an ecologically damaged future Lagos, one college student reconnects with the gang he used to run with and will fight to the death for a opportunity to have a lifetime of clean, breathable air.
L’Esprit de L’Escalier by Catherynne M. Valente (Tordotcom)
Average. A retelling the story of Orpheus in a more modern rock-and-roll celeb context. Descriptive and visceral, but ultimately didn't leave me with much.
