FRIDAY’S FORGOTTEN BOOKS #718: THE BEST FROM FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION, 23rd SERIES Edited by Edward L. Ferman

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My favorite story in The Best From Fantasy and Science Fiction, 23rd SERIES is John Varley’s “In the Hall of the Martian Kings,” a story of a exploration of the Red Planet with a lot of problems. I also liked Jane Yolen’s “Brother Hart” involving shape-shifting and sadness.

Edward L. Ferman continues the inclusion of The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction “Competition” entries. You may or may not like them. I’m not a fan.

I did like Joanna Russ’s essay on “Books: In Defense of Criticism” which extends the discussion beyond Fantasy and SF. Thought-provoking!

The Best From Fantasy and Science Fiction, 23rd Series is the penultimate volume in this long-running anthology series. Next mouth, the final volume…after two years of monthly reviews on this blog! GRADE: B

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

17 thoughts on “FRIDAY’S FORGOTTEN BOOKS #718: THE BEST FROM FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION, 23rd SERIES Edited by Edward L. Ferman”

  1. Steve A Oerkfitz

    Good collection. I like the Varley and Yolen. But also the Tom Reamy (died way too young), Disch and Delaney.

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    1. george Post author

      Steve, you and see the change of a generation of writers in this volume as the SF torch was passed. Young writers starting to replace some of the older writers…and still great stories in THE BEST FROM FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION!

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  2. Todd Mason

    This is the first volume in the series to gather stories from issues I bought and read when they were new, so I have proprietary interest! Damon Knight’s special issue story, “I See You”, is a pretty brilliant one, and the only story I’d object to being present (while not having a problem with the contest jokes) would be the Robert Young item (not his worst that Ferman would buy, I’ll grant). “Brother Hart” inspired one of the handsomest covers of the era, even as “Stone” was inspired by another. The inclusion of examples of the regular columnists (including Russ, who was the most common alternate to Algis Budrys in those years, as he settled in) was a good idea by me, as well, as advertisement for the magazine as well as good reading. (Though a better Asimov essay could’ve appeared, and the lack of a Gahan Wilson cartoon is too bad…their falling out was a year or three in the furture, but perhaps there were rumblings.)

    The hardcover cover for this one (from Dday) wasn’t first-rate, but was mildly clever, a step up.

    Good luck with the snow! Stay warm!

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    2. george Post author

      Todd, so far we’ve only gotten a few inches of snow. But Buffalo and the Southern Tier is getting bombed with snow! The Lake Effect snow band will move north tomorrow and it will be our turn to endure whiteout conditions!

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  3. Jerry House

    The Varley and the Yolen, yes. I am of the firm opinion that Tom Reamy could do no wrong. Knight could occassionally do wrong but certainly not here. Bloch, Delany, Disch, Bryant — all authors I could visit again and again. I know Todd never cared for Robert F. Young but much of his writing appeals to me. This anthology sounds like a must-have, even for those who do not care for the competitions. I will shed a tear as you close out these reviews next month with volume 24; they have brought back a lot of good memories.

    Up to three feet of snow predicted? Big Orange must be eager to get to work. Stay safe.

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    1. george Post author

      Jerry, some parts of Western NY already have three feet of snow with another day of intense Lake Effect snow still to fall. So four feet of snow for them is definitely a possibility. Our snowfall begins tomorrow morning at the rate of 3 inches an hour! Yes, Big Orange is gassed up and ready to roll!

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  4. Byron

    Yikes! I just read about the snow you’re getting. Sounds like a fine excuse to stay inside and curl up with a good book. This actually looks like a good read and the Russ essay sounds more relevant than ever in the TikTok era when so many people don’t want to exercise their critical thinking skills.

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    1. george Post author

      Byron, you’re right about Russ’s essay urging readers to THINK! I’m a big fan of staying home and hunkering down when a Snow Event hits. And, I have plenty of good books to curl up with!

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  5. Patti Abbott

    My firiend’s friends from Buffalo are driving to Detroit this weekend to see the Van Gogh exhibit. I hope the trip West is drier than the Buffalo area.

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    1. george Post author

      Patti, if your friends take the Northern route to Detroit through Ontario, they should have no problem. And, after Van Gogh they could catch the Browns vs. Bills game at the Lion’s stadium!

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      2. george Post author

        Steve, I meant both the Browns vs. Bills game and the Bills vs. Lions game…depending on if Patti’s friends want to stay for Thanksgiving!

    1. george Post author

      Steve, the Lake Effect storm that’s dumping feet of snow on Western NY necessitated the movement of Sunday’s game from Orchard Park (50 inches of snow and still counting) to Ford Field.

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  7. wolfi7777

    That mountain of snow that Buffalo is experiencing is all over the European media – nobody could imagine something like this. And they have pictures too.
    Just hope that you’re doing ok, George – be careful!
    I read that several people died, some after heart attacks working on the snow.
    What about your providers of electricity, water, phone and internet?
    Everything ok?
    Again, best wishes!

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    1. george Post author

      Wolf, Orchard Park–where the Buffalo Bills stadium is filling with snow necessitating moving the Cleveland Browns game to Detroit–hit a new New York State record: 77 inches of snow in a 24-hour period!

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