THE MAGAZINE OF FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION September/October • 70th Year of Publication (F&SF, August 2019, whole #745) edited by C. C. Finlay. Paperback, 258 pages.
It's been awhile since I've read any of the few remaining science fiction/fantasy magazines still in print. I feel a little guilty about not being able to support them more, but since going on a fixed income most of my reading has come from books found through my county public library. In spite of that, the 70th anniversary issue made this a must-have. Seventy years and running for a special interest magazine of limited circulation and distribution (not their fault) is quite the accomplishment. Bravo! I was immediately rewarded by one of the absolute best single issues of a print magazine that I've had the privilege to read. Don't miss this one.
Opening story "The White Cat's Divorce" by Kelly Link is a fantasy fable that reminds me of the quirky whimsical nature of many Neil Gaiman stories. That's good company to be in, and Link does an admirable job. She's very creative and the unusual twist at the end was a pleasant surprise. Five stars.
The most important story in the issue is "American Gold Mine" by Paolo Bacigalupi, a disturbing near-future tale of our country that hits like a gut-punch. Bacigalupi's satirical send-up of politics and media coverage seems so close to home that I can easily envision this as an accurate account of our society unless things change in the next few years. Every day there is more evidence that activism is ignited by an us vs. them mentality fueled by hatred and rage. There's money to be made in that rage, as a socially savvy news commentator and celebrity stokes the flames to increase ratings for her network and thereby inflate her salary - - - until the day that she no longer has control over the crowds and can't influence them in her favor. Sad, and very frightening. Five stars.
"Little Inn On The Jianghu" by Y. M. Pang is a modern version of ancient Chinese wuxia, fantasy tales featuring super-powered martial artists. It's narrated by an innkeeper, who makes amusing observations as he finds himself recruited into a battle between godlike beings. Four stars.
"Last Human In The Olympics" by Mary Soon Lee is an amusing short poem that has natural athletes at a disadvantage, not from supplement-enhanced competitors but contestants from other planets. Three and one-half stars.
"Three Score And Ten" is a fascinating essay by a reader/writer exposed to the early issues of F&SF and how he and the magazine have changed over the many years. Written by the legendary Robert Silverberg. Five stars.
Michael Moorcock's "Kabul" is his first story for F&SF and it's a good one, a near future tale of global warfare where the alliances have changed. Moorcock manages to blend in some observant social commentary in a grim story. Four stars.
"Under The Hill" by Maureen McHugh is a disturbing tale of a highbrow school with a folksy secret that mixes in some eldritch horror. Four stars.
I was a bit disappointed with "Madness Afoot" by Amanda Hollander, an unnecessary retelling of the Cinderella story from a different insider's viewpoint. At least it was short. Two stars.
There's more social commentary in the science fiction story "The Light On Eldoreth" by Nick Wolven. The wealthy elite will dominate planetary exploration and settlements, along with their influences and quirks. Three stars.
"Erase, Erase, Erase" by Elizabeth Bear is disappointing experimental fiction that fails to make the author's point, at least from my viewpoint. Two stars. "Halstead IV' rhyming poetry by Jeff Crandall puts a new spin on a familiar nursery rhyme. Three stars.
In "BookSavr" Ken Liu posits a possible future for e-fiction that is a satirical slap in the face at both social media and writing apps. I loved it. Five stars.
"The Wrong Badger" by Esther Friesner is a futuristic satirical look at both homogenized theme parks and corporate human resource departments that reminds me of Cory Doctorow's fictional send-up of Disneyland from several years ago. Four stars.
"Ghost Ships" by Michael Swanwick is an engaging and eerie fictional memoir based on a true incident from his past. Three stars. The issue wraps up with "Homecoming" a short and gripping fantasy from Gardner Dozois, a previously unpublished story from the late master of science fiction.
That's quite a diverse collection of premium quality stories for this special issue. Well worth your time.
In addition to the fiction, there are thoughtful book review columns by Charles deLint, James Sallis and Paul DiFilippo; film review by Karen Lowachee; science column by Jerry Oltion; and short end piece by Thomas Kaufsek.
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