Modern Classic Short Novels of Science Fiction [Hardcover]

Gardner R. Dozois (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1994

In a tribute to the science fiction novella, more than a dozen masterpieces from the past three decades feature the work of Poul Anderson, Samuel R. Delany, Lucius Shepard, Cordwainer Smith, and other masters of the genre.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Leaning less toward conventional hard sf than toward poetic flights of imagination, Dozois' latest anthology is a companion to Modern Classics of Science Fiction (1991), which consisted of short stories. Most of the selections predictably represent the best work of sf's more recognizable veterans--e.g., Poul Anderson's classic seafaring tale, "The Longest Voyage," about preindustrial mariners' encounter with an island tribe's hidden space vessel, and Kate Wilhelm's shorter original version of her Hugo-winning novel, Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang. Including work from the period from 1960 to the early 1990s in order to showcase sf's most modern era, the collection opens with Jack Vance's "The Miracle Workers" (1958), about warring knights who resort to spells and telepathy until they recognize the value of archaic technology, and ends with Nancy Kress' "And Wild for to Hold" (1991), which displaces Anne Boleyn to an almost surrealistic far-future. In between is a generous assortment of master stylists who make this a veritable feast of storytelling genius that Dozois' lucid commentaries only further distinguish. Carl Hays

Product Details

• Hardcover: 657 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr; 1st edition (February 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312105045
• ISBN-13: 978-0312105044
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,937,732 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not Free SF Reader, July 31, 2007

By 

Blue Tyson "- Research Finished" (Legion clubhouse) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Modern Classic Short Novels of Science Fiction (Paperback)

Definitely a good collection, as well. The 'Modern' pair of books make decent additions.


Modern Classic Short Novels of SF : The Miracle Workers - Jack Vance
Modern Classic Short Novels of SF : The Longest Voyage - Poul Anderson
Modern Classic Short Novels of SF : On the Storm Planet - Cordwainer Smith
Modern Classic Short Novels of SF : The Star Pit - Samuel R. Delany
Modern Classic Short Novels of SF : Total Environment - Brian W. Aldiss
Modern Classic Short Novels of SF : The Merchants of Venus - Frederik Pohl
Modern Classic Short Novels of SF : The Death of Doctor Island - Gene Wolfe
Modern Classic Short Novels of SF : Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang - Kate Wilhelm
Modern Classic Short Novels of SF : Souls - Joanna Russ
Modern Classic Short Novels of SF : A Traveler's Tale - Lucius Shepard
Modern Classic Short Novels of SF : Sailing to Byzantium - Robert Silverberg
Modern Classic Short Novels of SF : Mr. Boy - James Patrick Kelly
Modern Classic Short Novels of SF : And Wild for to Hold - Nancy Kress


Mental telepathy and associated talents not efficient for group killing.

4 out of 5


Navigational mathematics seems like magic, so a flying ship is just like, 'Wow!'

3.5 out of 5


Turtle girl's longevity vigil requires warrior assistant.

4 out of 5


Psycho kids good at space travel.

3 out of 5


Block of time compression, hopeful for ESP.

3 out of 5


Livers are expensive, and alien archaeological excavation is hot, hard work.

4.5 out of 5


Isolated mental adjustment.

3.5 out of 5


Hideout clone factory.

4 out of 5


Nun of that Viking stuff here.

4.5 out of 5


Island marooned alien derelict bodysnatcher decides on a shooting swansong.

4 out of 5


Tedious travelogue and artificial lifetime constraints.

3 out of 5


Not wanting to grow up attitude certainly isn't helped by mum's mechanical approach to parenting.

3.5 out of 5


Church of time meddling overindulges in Queens.

4 out of 5