SfScope review of The Del Rey Book of Science Fiction and Fantasy

[ellen_datlow]

A mixed review, that surprisingly (to me) doesn't mention what I consider the major piece of the antho, the end novella by Kim Newman and Paul McCauley...but I'll bet everyone's going to have love/hate relationships with a lot of the stories--that's what's been happening with Salon Fantastique and Inferno.
SFScope

Comments

[sarcobatus.livejournal.com]

I've already read one story in the antho, and loved it, Laird's "The Lagerstatte" -- which wasn't even mentioned in the review. And if being "literary" is the reviewer's biggest complaint...well, then...I'm definitely getting a copy.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Yayyy! I like Laird's --very disturbing, but in a way different from his usual, I think.

[sarcobatus.livejournal.com]

Yes, Laird's tale is very disturbing, moving, and is a detour from his usual theme, which I think we will be seeing more of in the future. He's a gifted writer.

[elenuial.livejournal.com]

That was pretty much my reaction.

Something being "literary" isn't a guarantee I'll like it, but if it's strong enough for me to engage with on a meaningful level, then it's worth more than popcorn pieces that I forget about and throw away. Oftentimes the pieces I hate the most are the ones that stick with me the longest.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

There's a discussion going on at Paul Tremblay's blog:

Literary as pejorative...again (http://pgtremblay.livejournal.com/275816.html)

[elenuial.livejournal.com]

I love that someone already said almost the exact same thing with the same language I did over there. :)

Thanks for the link!

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Yup ;-) You're welcome.