S.R. Algernon's Blog: The Alger-Blog

More Retro 1941 Hugo Picks

I meant to include more detailed reviews, but I found it harder to do justice to the longer works. So, I am just posting my picks...

Best Novelette
1. The Roads Must Roll
2. It!
3. Farewell to the Master

Vault of the Beast lost my interest, and I could not locate "Blowups Happen," so I abstained for those two.

Best Novella
1. Coventry
2. If This Goes On
3. Magic, Inc.

The two works by L. Sprague de Camp weren't my sort of story, so I left them off my list.

Best Novel
I did not have time to get to Best Novel for the Retro Hugos (but I did fill out my ballot for the 2016 award).

Now all that remains is to wait for the Convention. Good luck to all the nominees!

My Picks for 1941 Retro Hugo Best Short Story

I'll post my picks for the longer works as I get to them. Note that I won't post my 2016 picks, as some of them are likely to be controversial.

First:
“Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius” by Jorge Luis Borges (Sur, 1940)

The world-building, philosophical depth and style stood out for me. The earnest, meandering and erudite style brings to mind Poe and Lovecraft, and if I were more well-read in magical realist fiction, I could probably place the story in context better. The sheer effort required to create this work was impressive, especially considering that the author had much less leeway to make up details on the fly, compared to other stories on the ballot.

Second:
“Robbie” by Isaac Asimov (Super Science Stories, Sept 1940)

"Robbie" presented a timeless family conflict that didn't require a great deal of exposition. This allowed me to jump right in to the dialogue and the character interactions. The story speaks to a deeper concern within science fiction and science fact – namely the role of AI in the human social sphere – that is particularly relevant in the real-world 2010s. There is also a puzzle-solving aspect, which leads to a satisfying and aptly-foreshadowed conclusion.

Third:
“The Stellar Legion” by Leigh Brackett (Planet Stories, Winter 1940)

I liked the energy of this piece, although sci-fi that depends on physical conflict isn't usually as compelling to me. There were aspects of ecology and culture and the physical sciences baked into the conflict, which provided a suitably retro scientific feel. It was fun to read and I was curious to see what the characters would do.

Fourth:
“Requiem” by Robert A. Heinlein (Astounding Science‐Fiction, Jan 1940)

This story reminded me of Twain in its use of dialect, cast of eccentric characters and focus on the irrepressible human spirit. I didn't feel quite so much tension in the plot, since there were really only two expected outcomes… Hartman would succeed or fail, and in any event he would probably die. The bureaucratic rationale for Harriman's predicament also seemed forced to me, as if Elon Musk were forbidden to drive a Tesla. I found the characters interesting, but I did not care as much as I felt I could have.

Fifth:
“Martian Quest” by Leigh Brackett (Astounding Science‐Fiction, Feb 1940)

I have to admit that this story did not hold my interest. It struck me as a reasonable, but unremarkable, space western. To be fair, the space western was no doubt a newer concept in 1940 than today.

Is "Asymmetrical Warfare" really a "joke" story?

Hi there,

Let me say one more thing about "Asymmetrical Warfare." Ordinarily, I would not comment, but I'm intrigued by all the reviews saying in effect that they didn't find the story funny.

I'm all for the idea of "death of the author" and a story should stand on its own. I guess it's not surprising that it's seen as a farcical light, given the odd nature of the Best Short Story ballot this year. That being said, does the story really work best as a joke?

I had thought of the story as a thinkpiece on the nature of war, reproduction and unrequited love from a different evolutionary vantage point. I have tried to view the story as a straight-up romp, like Planetary Defences, but I can't quite connect to the story as anything other than a thinkpiece.

I certainly don't begrudge anybody finding humor in a work. (I found "Eyes Wide Shut" hilaroous, for instance), Still, s a reader, I just can't wrap my head around the idea of reading a story for humor if I don't happen to find it funny.

Anyway, that will probably be my last word on AW unless something else prompts me Stay tuned. In the next few weeks, I might post my Hugo votes, at least for the Retro Hugos. I'm not sure about the 2016 picks. I don't want to ruffle any feathers among the other nominees.

[Hugo Award Spoiler Alert] Questions answered about "Asymmetrical Warfare"

In my perusal of some initial reviews of Asymmetrical Warfare it seems to me that the readers who enjoyed the story the most were the ones whose interpretations were closest to my own.

I want readers to enjoy the story, for my own self-interest and because I want the story to be entertaining and thought-provoking. In order to share my perspective, I have decided to answer some common (and uncommon) questions here.

Why don't the aliens realize that some life forms don't regenerate?
Non-stellate slave races don't regenerate. The characters know this. The question is whether humans are a stellate race or a slave race.

Why don't the aliens know more about our culture and customs?
The Commander is engaged in a reproductive conquest, not a cultural exchange. If I write a longer sequel, maybe there will be time for foreplay.

Why didn't the Commander study our biology in more detail?
If it did, it would have found proof that humans were not a valid target for conquest. This would be an abomination in the eyes of the Council, and was not what the Commander wanted to hear.

How do the stellate races prevent overpopulation?
In combat, many bodies that are too badly damaged (or insufficiently damaged) will not regenerate. Effective mating requires combatants to be skilled with blade weapons. A very skilled practitioner could cut itself into pieces, but the Council discourages this. Rumor has it that anybody who tries this will go blind.

Isn't this story just about horny starfish?
It's about humans, too.

Is it possible to be slammed in the butt by a starfish?
Anything's possible.

I may add to this list over the next month or so.

Happy voting!

Stories to Consider before Voting

I have been told on occasion that my writing style is eclectic, and I imagine that some Hugo voters might be interested in learning more about my writing before casting their votes. To introduce my work, I have selected stories that might appeal to readers on both sides of the Puppy debate, as well as science fiction readers who focus on the science and those who focus on fiction (the art of storytelling).

Works that might appeal to Anti-Puppies
• Oubliette (2016)
• Once more, onto the Beach
• End Times
• Followers
Works that might appeal to Puppies
• Sort-of Damocles (I prefer it with the hyphen, in retrospect.)
• The Egg Game
• Planetary Defences
• The Warning Sign (Dr. Maxwell's Notes on First Contact)
Works that might appeal to scientists
• Genius Loci (2016)
• One Slow Step for Man
• The Unperished
• Cold Shoulder of Giants (Resubmission to Xenobiology)
Works that might appeal to writers
• A Pocket full of Phlogiston
• We'll Always Have Sybaris
• Response Times May Vary (A Dispatch from an Otherwise Unremarkable Planet)
• On Main Street, after Closing Time (Currently out of print, but stay tuned)

Mad Scientist Journal stories were submitted under an alternative title to suit that market's guidelines. The MSJ title is shown in parentheses.

"Asymmetrical Warfare" and the Hugo Awards

I was not planning to have much of an online presence until later in the summer, but the appearance of "Asymmetrical Warfare" on the list of Hugo Finalists has prompted me to weigh in a little earlier than expected.

The fun thing about our line of work is that the future is never quite what you expect. Sometimes, plans have to change. So, here goes....

First, I would like to thank everyone who felt that "Asymmetrical Warfare" had merit and supported it as a Hugo contender, as well as everyone who helped my writing develop over the years. Critters (www.critters.org) deserves a special mention here.

Second, I recognize that, with the politics of the situation being what it is, many worthy contenders did not make it on the Short Story ballot. After some consideration, I have chosen to defer to the position of the Hugo Administration and allow "Asymmetrical Warfare" to contend for the Hugo in good faith, irrespective of its presence on any slates.

"Asymmetrical Warfare" has received some positive reviews (for example, see Lela Buis's review). I believe that the aim of the Hugo Awards should be to give the science fiction and fantasy community writ large a voice in recognizing work that has merit. I do not want to deprive them of their chance to vote next month, whether they are voting tactically or based on their opinion of the story itself.

With that being said, I hope that all of you will take a few moments to read "Asymmetrical Warfare." For those of you who are voting for political or tactical reasons. I will post a list of my other works shortly, with links and more information. This should make it easier to place "Asymmetrical Warfare" in a socio-political context before you cast your vote.

Thank you, everybody, and Happy Voting!