Nebula Awards Showcase 2001. edited by Robert Silverberg.
NEBULA AWARDS SHOWCASE 2001
RATED 75% POSITIVE. STORY SCORE = 3.83 OUT OF 5
6 STORIES : 2 GREAT / 2 GOOD / 1 AVERAGE / 1 POOR / 0 DNF
I’m not sure I understand the decision-making behind this the way this anthology is structured. In the 2015 Nebula showcase that I just read, all the novelettes and short short finalist were included. That made for a nicely diversified bit of reading. In Nebula Awards Showcase 2001, it is only the winners that were included. Plus very good runners up in the novella and short story categories. I understand that many of the winners were quite long, but it really reduces the enjoyment of the book for me.
There is more here than just stories. The epilogue of the Nebula-Winning novel “Parable of the Sower” by Octavia Butler is include. Gary K Wolfe gives us a solid overview of the year in Science Fiction. There is a tribute to - and essay by - Daniel Keyes of “Flowers for Algernon.” Some award-winning poetry rounds out the book.
The Nebula Awards are given by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA). This anthology, while called Showcase 2001, includes stories originally published in 1998 and 1999. Something in the way the Nebula rules are written leads to this being common.
There are two Great Novellas in this book:
Story of Your Life • (1998) • novella by Ted Chiang. One of the most brilliant science fiction stories ever written. The story of alien first contact is told with a strong focus on very smart scientific thoughtfulness. The story of a mother and her relationship with her daughter is deeply human and nuanced in the way of the best Fiction.
The Wedding Album • (1999) • novella by David Marusek. A sprawling story of sentient holograms that are created as a memento for a married couple. They experience the destruction of the couple they represent, the liberation of beings like themselves, and so much more. Very inventive, but filled with emotion. You can buy the novella here.
NEBULA AWARDS SHOWCASE 2001 IS RATED 75% POSITIVE
6 STORIES : 2 GREAT / 2 GOOD / 1 AVERAGE / 1 POOR / 0 DNF
How do I arrive at a rating?
Story of Your Life • (1998) • novella by Ted Chiang
Great. One of the most brilliant science fiction stories ever written. The story of alien first contact is told with a strong focus on very smart scientific thoughtfulness. The story of a mother and her relationship with her daughter is deeply human and nuanced in the way of the best Fiction.
Mars Is No Place for Children • (1999) • novelette by Mary A. Turzillo
Good. A young girl with leukemia rebels against her parents who are going to send her back to earth for treatment, leading to a perilous adventure.
The Cost of Doing Business • (1999) • short story by Leslie What
Average. In the future, you can hire people to take physical and sexual assaults for you.
The Wedding Album • (1999) • novella by David Marusek
Great. A sprawling story of sentient holograms that are created as a memento for a married couple. They experience the destruction of the couple they represent, the liberation of beings like themselves, and so much more. Very inventive.
Radiant Doors • (1998) • short story by Michael Swanwick
Good. In this horrific story, a tortured refugee from the future brings with her a piece of technology that can control people.
Judas Danced • (1958) • short story by Brian W. Aldiss
Poor. In a world where people watch the past for entertainment, a Jesus-figure is brought back from the dead, but can’t dance because of his clubfoot.
