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New Voices in Science Fiction edited by Mike Resnick

DaveK's picture
Tue, 04/13/2004 - 11:24pm — DaveK

In brief Resnick's tastes and mine are very different. Two of the twenty stories in this volume were at best OK in my opinion. Many were what I call diaries. Sort of a this happened, then this happened, the end. No conflict, no conclusion.

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Wed, 04/14/2004 - 12:30am — camidon
camidon's picture

Resnick specifics

Doesn't sound like a winner, but you didn't give a lot of specifics about the book. What's the book about? Did he pick stories for it? Any of his own?

Some of Resnick's stuff from Asimov's I liked, some I didn't, but as usual, it depends on your taste. "Travel with my Cats" (Asimov's Feb 2004) I enjoyed. "Robots Don't Cry" (Asimov's july 2003) I enjoyed, "Here's looking at You Kid" (Asimov's april 2003) did little to nothing for me. From the few short works I've read of his, I'd say he's an average science fiction writer who's got a name.

Do you know any specifics about him? I know next to zilch. I suppose I could do a web search, but that would give me less time to reply to this forum...

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Life is a lot like caving: Most of the time you grope around in the dark.

Thu, 04/15/2004 - 12:28am — DaveK
DaveK's picture

Re:New Voices in Science Fiction edited by Mike Resnick

Sorry. The book is a collection of 20 short stories by new writers that (I believe) haven't been published in the US. I remembered the name - Mike Resnick so that's why I bought it. Plus I wanted to see what new writers were writing. If this is what is selling then I don't have a chance. It's too different than what I write or like. I would be interested in your opinion of these stories Chris.

I checked his entry in "The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction", but none of the stories listed there ring a bell. Maybe I've confused him with someone else. He has been publishing since I was in high school so I'm sure I've read his old stuff.

Thu, 04/15/2004 - 11:23am — camidon
camidon's picture

New Voices

I'll try to get to it this summer.

[quote]Plus I wanted to see what new writers were writing. If this is what is selling then I don't have a chance. It's too different than what I write or like.[/quote]

Bah humbug. From your description this collection is one man's opinion. Editting and critiquing is really about opinion. Some people's opinions are more educated or informed, everyone has different opinions, and that's it.

Everything has a chance, one just has to find the right place for it. Diversity is the spice of life. At some point, a different style or trend will emerge/reemerge and a handful of unknowns will then be the big names for a while until the style slightly alters again.

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Life is a lot like caving: Most of the time you grope around in the dark.

Fri, 09/24/2004 - 12:10am — camidon
camidon's picture

Ugh

I'm still trying to wade through this, Dave. I've read about half the stories, and I've really disliked all but one so far (the Nucleon story). Everytime I look at the book, I think of the time wasted on the earlier stories and it does not make me want to pick it up. If I do finish it , I'll let you know the rest of my opinion whenever that date occurs.

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Life is a lot like caving: Most of the time you grope around in the dark.

Sat, 09/25/2004 - 2:03pm — DaveK
DaveK's picture

Re:New Voices in Science Fiction edited by Mike Resnick

You've said enough. And read enough. Recycle it or donate it.