Lightspeed Magazine, July 2010 by John Joseph Adams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
As usual for anthology-type things, an expansion on my status updates. But, before that, let me just say that I love science fiction and fantasy short stories and listen to SFF/F podcasts to hear them. So this was a very fun read.
“No time like the present” – One of the things that I both love and hate about short stories is starting in media res. It feels like short stories aren’t allowed to introduce the world. You have to figure it out as the story goes along. Sometimes this can be fun in a detective sort of way. Sometimes it can be frustrating as you learn something halfway through that completely changes your understanding of the first half. Again, sometimes that can be fun like in Fight Club. Sometimes it’s just annoying. This time it was fun and I think having a kid narrator was part of the reason.
“Manumission” -An exciting version of same story type as Paycheck. An evil corporation has taken some extreme measures to ensure compliance among its hit squad. Works very well.
“Airships” – a fun steam punk world told through vignettes and news stories. I don’t know if Alan Moore comics were the first place I came across using news clippings to tell a story and set some of the background, but I enjoy
“GRRM story – The story really hit me hard. He’s been working in SF and Fantasy for DECADES, but most people only know him via A Song of Ice and Fire. I’m sure the money makes it less frustrating, but this story is a great example of how he can work in different genres and still tell compelling stories.
“Time travel Non-Fiction piece” – good sense of humour and 5 things that could go wrong if you time travel.
“You are you” – a look at memories and how they determine who we are.
“A history of Zeppelins “- a nice summary. All I could think of was the Archer blimp episode.
Interview with The Lisps – neat idea for their broadway show. Too bad it’s no longer playing.