Friday, December 17, 2010

Review: Brave New Worlds edited by John Joseph Adams


Brave New Worlds
Edited by John J. Adams
Night Shade Books pb 470p

As the title suggests, we have stories in the vein of Brave New World. Dystopian Utopias who have mutated beyond the original intent to something more and far far less.

The collection is a goodly mix of classic fiction and contemporary.

In the classics department stories like the Lottery by Shirley Jackson or The ones who walk away from Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin, to contemporary selections such as Red Card by S.L. Gilbow which is disturbing look at what can best be described as the ultimate in wish fulfillment and an oddly twisted lottery does to society. Or the very disturbing Evidence of Love in a Case of Abandonment by M. Rickert.

Some of the other classic titles are Repent, Harlequin, said the Ticktockman by Harlan Ellison, The Minority Report by Philip K. Dick, to name a few.
Other contemporary writers like Cory Doctorow, Tobias S. Buckell, Paolo Bacigalupi, give you an idea of the depth of this story collection. 33 disquieting and disturbing tales.

Very much worth taking a look at. If you have enjoyed dystopian novels like Brave New World, 1984, then this collection is tailor made for you!

Nightshade Books site for this book.

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