nonsean's review against another edition
5.0
I love the Best American series. They are always a reliable way to find new writers. There are a few in this collection that I will be exploring further - Kij Johnson, Dexter Palmer, Nick Wolven, Charlie Jane Anders, Vandana Singh.
fairybookmother's review against another edition
3.0
Not as wowed by this collection as I was last year's, but there are a handful of solid stories in this one.
gettyhesse's review against another edition
5.0
This was perhaps an even stronger collection than last year's, if that's possible. I especially, especially enjoyed Vandana Singh's "Ambiguity Machines: An Examination." It reminded me of the best of Borges, only with more characterization and background detail.
woahno's review against another edition
3.0
I'm using this space to record my thoughts on "The Game of Smash and Recovery" by Kelly Link.
This story was a mixed bag for me. Some of the abruptness and vagueness in the writing style through me off but it played into a wonderful back story. I kept wanting to know more about Anat and her parents and if they were going to show up. Outside of that though I did not find the games Anat and Oscar play that engaging and the ending did not land with me.
This story was a mixed bag for me. Some of the abruptness and vagueness in the writing style through me off but it played into a wonderful back story. I kept wanting to know more about Anat and her parents and if they were going to show up. Outside of that though I did not find the games Anat and Oscar play that engaging and the ending did not land with me.
pearseanderson's review against another edition
3.0
It only makes sense to give this anthology around half of the possible stars, since around half of the possible stories in it are "The Best of 2016." And most of those were backloaded into this anthology, hung up by pieces like the science-fiction nonfiction-prose-poetry "Meet Me in Iram," the frustrating and unnecessary "Tea Time," and the instantly forgettable "By Degrees and Dilatory Time." This anthology was, in my opinion, poorly selected and arranged and I don't know what would explain this but Karen Joy Fowler. Were these the best? Really?
Well, besides the light/literary SFF (Rushdie's New Yorker piece, Ziemska's Tin House piece, Johnson's Harper's piece, Anders' essentially modern Rat Catcher's Yellows bit), there is some strong, creative, hard SFF work: Three Bodies at Mitanni, Ambiguity Machines, and Planet Lion (the former two have made it onto my Best Prose I've Read in 2017 list). Now, Anders and Johnson did do good pieces too! And Headshot and Things You Can Buy for a Penny were good too, but the remaining, unsuperb, kind of filler "best" works weighed this anthology down for me. So I dunno what I'll give it: 6/10? 7/10? It made me groan at times.
Well, besides the light/literary SFF (Rushdie's New Yorker piece, Ziemska's Tin House piece, Johnson's Harper's piece, Anders' essentially modern Rat Catcher's Yellows bit), there is some strong, creative, hard SFF work: Three Bodies at Mitanni, Ambiguity Machines, and Planet Lion (the former two have made it onto my Best Prose I've Read in 2017 list). Now, Anders and Johnson did do good pieces too! And Headshot and Things You Can Buy for a Penny were good too, but the remaining, unsuperb, kind of filler "best" works weighed this anthology down for me. So I dunno what I'll give it: 6/10? 7/10? It made me groan at times.
survivalisinsufficient's review against another edition
4.0
There are some amazing stories in here...some of my faves: Three Bodies at Mitanni, Interesting Facts, No Placeholder for You My Love, Headshot.
jonathanwlodarski's review against another edition
4.0
Highlights:
"The Great Silence," Ted Chiang
"The Heat of Us: Notes Toward an Oral History," Sam J. Miller
"Rat Catcher's Yellows," Charlie Jane Anders
"The Mushroom Queen," Liz Ziemska
"By Degrees and Dilatory Time," S.L. Huang
"The Great Silence," Ted Chiang
"The Heat of Us: Notes Toward an Oral History," Sam J. Miller
"Rat Catcher's Yellows," Charlie Jane Anders
"The Mushroom Queen," Liz Ziemska
"By Degrees and Dilatory Time," S.L. Huang
britreads's review against another edition
5.0
A definite must read for anyone who is interested in magic, space, fairy tales and tall tells. Some stories that are my personal favorites include: "Interesting Facts," "The Apartment Dweller's Bestiary," "Tea Time," "Headshot," "Things You Can Buy For A Penny," and "The Heat of Us: Notes toward an Oral History." But all of these stories are wonderful in their own way.
barbtrek's review
3.0
I was a little disappointed with this book. I was reading two other anthologies at the same time and this was my least favorite of the three. There are some great stories here, but more than a couple were not enjoyable for me at all. It seems like the collection was trying too hard to be edgy and different. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it just had me annoyed. I even skipped ahead a few times which I rarely do.