“The Good
Hand” by Robert Reed
Read in Year’s Best SF 16 (2011), edited by David G. Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer
Originally published in Asimov's Science Fiction (January 2010), edited by Sheila Williams
There’s nothing overtly bad about this story. There is a hook in the initial premise, but Reed doesn’t explore it in a way that I find satisfying. He seems content to ask questions about nuclear weapons, military power, and international relations. He does so by having his main character be a bit of an idiot thinking that he can conduct business with other countries and not have politics play a role. When you live in the nation that is the sole owner of nuclear technology and scientific study in a given area, literally holding the rest of the world hostage with your potential use of nuclear power, any interaction you have outside of that will have some political element to it. The story knows this, I would expect most readers to understand it, but the main character is oblivious to it (or at least in denial). That disconnect threw me out of the story a couple of times. At thirty pages in length, Reed managed to keep me moving along despite not finding it a gripping story. He is certainly a skilled author. Those skills were apparent in his exposition, dialogue, and quick characterization. It’s perhaps not surprising as he’s a prolific short story writer, having published several stories each year since his start in the late 80s. I think this one simply wasn’t for me. If anything I wrote above sounds interesting to you, maybe give this story a shot.
“Playing
Nice with God's Bowling Ball” by N. K. Jemisin
Listened to a reading by LeVar Burton on his podcast LeVar Burton Reads, episode “LIVE! In Brooklyn: “Playing Nice with God’s Bowling Ball” by N.K. Jemisin” (December 11, 2018)
Originally published in Jim Baen's Universe (August 2008), edited by Eric Flint and Mike Resnick
A young boy
turns himself in to the police for the murder of his friend. Detective Grace
Anneton investigates the matter and the reader is along for the ride as the
mystery of what really occurred is uncovered. The investigation involves
Monster Fusion King cards, a black hole, childhood dispute, social strife, realistic
financial issues, and disputed paternity.
To say how
these things connect would spoil the story. You can find it available online at
Tor.com or, as I experienced it, read to you by the marvellous LeVar Burton on
his podcast. As a bonus, there is as short exchange between Jemisin and LeVar
at the end of the reading.
Rating: 4 stars
The mixing of genres can be done to great effect and Jemisin succeeds very well by combining science fiction and police procedural. The case of Timmy Johnson’s murder progresses nicely with turns that lead down to unexpected places. It’s very satisfying. Best of all is Jemisin’s inclusion of real world elements with a good balance of science fiction, helping to ground the story and give it weight. The science fiction elements are well thought out and interesting, but never threaten to take over the story. The focus stays on Timmy and his life. This is my first time reading something by Jemisin and I’ll certainly be seeking out more of her stories and books. She has an excellent reputation and at least two of her trilogies are must-read according to many genre readers.
Read in Year’s Best SF 16 (2011), edited by David G. Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer
Originally published in Asimov's Science Fiction (January 2010), edited by Sheila Williams
There’s nothing overtly bad about this story. There is a hook in the initial premise, but Reed doesn’t explore it in a way that I find satisfying. He seems content to ask questions about nuclear weapons, military power, and international relations. He does so by having his main character be a bit of an idiot thinking that he can conduct business with other countries and not have politics play a role. When you live in the nation that is the sole owner of nuclear technology and scientific study in a given area, literally holding the rest of the world hostage with your potential use of nuclear power, any interaction you have outside of that will have some political element to it. The story knows this, I would expect most readers to understand it, but the main character is oblivious to it (or at least in denial). That disconnect threw me out of the story a couple of times. At thirty pages in length, Reed managed to keep me moving along despite not finding it a gripping story. He is certainly a skilled author. Those skills were apparent in his exposition, dialogue, and quick characterization. It’s perhaps not surprising as he’s a prolific short story writer, having published several stories each year since his start in the late 80s. I think this one simply wasn’t for me. If anything I wrote above sounds interesting to you, maybe give this story a shot.
Listened to a reading by LeVar Burton on his podcast LeVar Burton Reads, episode “LIVE! In Brooklyn: “Playing Nice with God’s Bowling Ball” by N.K. Jemisin” (December 11, 2018)
Originally published in Jim Baen's Universe (August 2008), edited by Eric Flint and Mike Resnick
The mixing of genres can be done to great effect and Jemisin succeeds very well by combining science fiction and police procedural. The case of Timmy Johnson’s murder progresses nicely with turns that lead down to unexpected places. It’s very satisfying. Best of all is Jemisin’s inclusion of real world elements with a good balance of science fiction, helping to ground the story and give it weight. The science fiction elements are well thought out and interesting, but never threaten to take over the story. The focus stays on Timmy and his life. This is my first time reading something by Jemisin and I’ll certainly be seeking out more of her stories and books. She has an excellent reputation and at least two of her trilogies are must-read according to many genre readers.
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