Tuesday, July 13, 2010

My Hugo award votes 2010 part 4: Short Stories

The stories in this category were fairly average. There was now as clear best story as there was the last time, but as an average, the stories were a bitter this time. But that is not saying much, as there were so many short stories last year which were really, really bad. The best story was easy to pick, as was the last one. After some thought the order of the other places was pretty straightforward, also.

“The Bride of Frankenstein”, Mike Resnick
A diary of Dr Frankenstein's wife. The main story is fairly same as Shelley's version, but the events happen in undefined time, somewhere between 1920-1930. And the ending is far more positive that in the original version. Well written, very good story. Not as saccharine as Resnick's stories tend to be.

“Bridesicle”, Will McIntosh
A woman has been put to some kind of stasis-field after an accident. The only way she can be revived is to get picked up as a bride by one of the men visiting her. Well, at least she got rid of her mother, who was uploaded to her head. A very good story.

“The Moment”, Lawrence M. Schoen
Several different alien races honor the last surviving mark of humanity – a footprint on the moon. Extremely densely written story, I rather liked it, but the ending was something hard to comprehend.

“Non-Zero Probabilities”, N.K. Jemisin
The most unlikely occurrences possible start to happen. And they might be stopped by crossing fingers or by finding a four leaved clover or other such thing. Writing is ok, but the style of the story is something I usually hate: strange things happen for no reason what so ever.

“Spar”, Kij Johnson
A woman is rescued to alien spaceship after am accident in space. She and the alien are in a cramped cabin having sex in all imaginable ways possible all the time. And that is the story. I really don't get it.

And my voting order will be:

1. “Bridesicle”, Will McIntosh
2. “The Bride of Frankenstein”, Mike Resnick
3. “The Moment”, Lawrence M. Schoen
4. No award
5. “Non-Zero Probabilities”, N.K. Jemisin
6. “Spar”, Kij Johnson

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