2041: Twelve Short Stories About the Future by Top Science Fiction Writers
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2041: Twelve Short Stories About the Future by Top Science Fiction Writers Customer Reviews
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♥♥♥♥♥ |
In the Year 2525 . . . Well, Okay, the Year 2041
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Published in 1991, this collection of stories posed each author the question-what would the world be like 50 years from now? Veteran SF and fantasy writer Jane Yolen presents readers with a collection of delightful stories on the advent of her fiftieth year. These range from the introspective, to the hilarious, to the gravely frightening. Ten of these twelve tales are original to this production, and all of them are worth a read. This anthology is directed at a young teen audience, as evidenced by the introduction by the editor. Jane poses the question to her reader, what will the world be like in 50 years, when they are in their sixties.
After a brief and imagination-provoking intro by Jane Yolen of what the future might bring, we get down to the business of the stories themselves. Veteran readers of SF will recognize many of the names: Connie Willis, Nancy Springer, Anne McCaffrey, Patricia McKillip, Joe Haldeman and Susan Shwartz are just a few that leap off the page. The stories all vary in length and tone, but they all address the world of the possible future, and the young people that may very well inhabit it. Perhaps my favorite story is the tale that launches this collection: MUCH ADO ABOUT [CENSORED] by Connie Willis. This delightful little gem launches itself at PC behavior and censorship taken to its extremes when a class decides to read Shakespeare. They keep running into snags: The Drapery Defense League objects to Hamlet because Polonius is stabbed while he's hiding behind a curtain. Or there's the protest of the National Coalition Against Contractions (who feel that the use of contractions is directly responsible for the increase in crime rates). WHO'S GONNA ROCK US HOME? by Nancy Springer is an emotionally laden tale of a young man who rebels against a drugged society and must come to terms with his father. A QUIET ONE by Anne McCaffrey takes place on a horse ranch on a new planet-its not so much a SF story as one of character, and perseverance. Joe Haldeman's IF I HAD THE WINGS OF AN ANGEL is a beautiful little piece about growing up inside an asteroid. OLD GLORY by Bruce Coville is a chilling look at what our country could become and a warning to us today.
There were a few stories that I didn't find as compelling, such as LOSE NOW, PAY LATER by Carol Farley, and MOBY JAMES by Patricia McKillip, but the fact of the matter is, the variety is enough to forgive the lack of interest in a few of these selections. YOU WANT IT WHEN? by Kara Dalkey is a funny story and fine for a light read, but I felt it was a little too lightweight. THE LAST OUT by Resa Nelson and David Alexander Smith is a nostalgic look at baseball, and they write a very touching story of the passing of the old guard. EAR by Jane Yolen, considers the affect of technology on teens perceptions, and how it changes their world to turn it off. FREE DAY by Peg Kerr looks at a bleak society and the touching relationship between a girl and an old woman. BEGGARMAN by Susan Shwartz takes on the theme of being a misfit, and how sometimes being a misfit just means finding the place you belong. There's not a terrible story in the bunch, honestly.
Older readers may find the entire collection a bit young; it is targeted to the young teen readership, after all. While these stories are already over ten years old, they still remain relevant pictures of what the future could be. They are an excellent way of introducing science fiction to the younger generation in easy to swallow bites. This collection is sadly out of print, so it's harder to find, but worth reading. The hardcover volume presents the stories in easy-to-read large type that is comfortable to follow and may soothe young readers daunted by large books of tiny font. I certainly enjoy the easy reading when my eyes get tired.
If you enjoy this collection of SF stories, readers might also check out RACHEL AND THE ANGEL-stories by Robert Westall, or, if you can find it, YOUNG STAR TRAVELERS edited by Isaac Asimov, though I'm afraid it's also out of print. For full novels, I'd recommend THIS TIME OF DARKNESS by H. M. Hoover, DEVIL ON MY BACK by Monica Hughes and THE GIVER by Lois Lowry.
Happy Reading! ^_^ Shanshad |
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2041: Twelve Short Stories About the Future by Top Science Fiction Writers Books In Print, Audio Books.