The Hugos have been handed out, and Emerald City has the winners. The nominations can be found here. And since this is a blog, I feel compelled to offer some uninformed commentary:
- Novel: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke. I hated this novel. To me it was self-indulgent and played stylistic games for the sake of playing games. Even without the games, it read as an overwrought 19th century novel that sucks the life out of you as you’re reading it. I really didn’t like this book. At all. But I didn’t read any of the other novels, so I can’t really say what should have been chosen in its place.
- Short Story: “Travels with My Cats”, Resnick. This was a good piece, but I thought “The Best Christmas Ever” was clearly the class of the field.
- Novelette: “The Faery Handbag” by Kelly Link. I didn’t read this, so I cannot say if it was better than my choice, “The People of Sand and Slag” by Paolo Bacigalupi. That story was compelling and emotional without being maudlin, and extremely well written. “The Voluntary State” by Christopher Rowe would also have been a good choice. It is one of the weirdest pieces I have ever read, and I mean that as a compliment,
- Dramatic Presentation (Short): “33” – Battlestar Galactica (NBC Universal Television / The Sci Fi Channel / Sky One) Written by Ronald D. Moore; Directed by Michael Rymer. Battlestar Galactica is probably the best drama on TV, and is easily the best science fiction television show ever. It’s dramatic and intelligent with exceptional writing and very good characterization. And its entire plot structure is based upon modern debates about terrorism, war, and civil society without falling prey to simplicity or pedantic lectures. I cannot recommend it enough.
- Web Site: SciFiction ed. by Ellen Datlow, Craig Engler, general manager; I like Sci Fiction, but I think that Strange Horizons takes more chances, and succeeds enough to put them over the top.
leanleft
Kevin
tgirsch
Kevin T. Keith
Judd
Well, I liked Johnathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. So, there.
I’m surprised you didn’t care for Jonathan strange & Mr. Norrell. It kinda sorta reminded me of Good Omens( humor,footnotes)& I truly dig the man with the thistle down hair.
As for BSG I really like it but won’t say it’s the best sci fi show ever.
See, the problem is I didn’t pick up BSG from the beginning (I saw only the pilot) and now I’ve missed too much. That’s the problem with shows like that; it’s hard to come in somewhere in the middle. I generally prefer shows of the Star Trek / Twilight Zone / Outer Limits variety, where running storylines are minimal if they exist at all, and a single episode can be viewed in a vacuum and still enjoyed. Chalk it up to my notoriously short attention spa… Ooh, something shiny!
And best science fiction TV show ever? Come on! What about V? *ducks*
Seriously, though, the way Kevin describes BSG illuminates a fundamental difference in our taste in TV shows, movies, books, music, etc. Kevin tends to like high-minded stuff that has relevance and something to say. Whereas I’m merely looking for entertainment; I’m all about the pure escapism. There’s nothing at all escapist, as far as I can tell, about the new BSG.
You’re absolutely correct. Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell was tedious, overhyped, and more stylistic than substantial. I’ve wiped my rear with better paper.
Olympos or Illium by Dan Simmons would have been a far better pick–whichever one qualified for the nominating year.
Good service