Analog Science Fiction and Fact, November 2013

by Trevor Quachri (Editor), Edward M. Lerner (Contributor), Christopher L. Bennett (Contributor)

Analog Science Fiction and Fact, November 2013, Volume CXXXIII No. 11

Trevor Quachri, editor
Cover art by NASA

Novellas
"The Matthews Conundrum" by Edward M. Lerner

Novelettes
"Make Hub, Not War" by Christopher L. Bennett
"Redskins of the Badlands" by Paul Di Filippo

Short Stories
"Bugs" by Ron Collins
"Deceleration" by Bud Sparhawk
"Distant" by Michael Monson
"The Eagle Project" by Jack McDevitt
"Copper Charley" by Joseph Weber

Science Fact
"3-D Printing and Dancing Bears" by Thomas A. Easton

Departments
Guest Editorial: " Does Medicine Have Future" by H. G. Stratmann, MD
The Alternate View: "Special 15th Anniversary Edition" by Jeffrey D. Koolstra

Genres: Science Fiction

113 pages, ebook

First published August 22, 2013

About the author

Trevor Quachri (b. 1976) has been the sixth editor of Analog Science Fiction & Fact magazine since September 2012.

Previously, he was “a Broadway stagehand, collected data for museums, and executive produced a science fiction pilot for a basic cable channel.”

Quachri started as an editorial assistant in 1999 at Asimov's Science Fiction and Analog. Former editor of Analog, Ben Bova, was an early influence.

Reviews

[Sam Holm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Several stories were very good in this issue, and I particularly enjoyed redskins of the badlands and copper Charley. The guest editorial was very interesting, even though I disagreed with some of Strattmann’s political conclusions. The title story was also engaging, even if predicable.
One thing however; the matthews conundrum was extremely novel in the themes it approached, yet suffered from exceptionally poor worldbuilding. The contexts, both technological and societal, were often nigh impenetrable to the reader, and I feel it damaged an otherwise solid story idea.
The reference library also left me with, ironically; an increased disdain for military SF, as the featured books came across as excessively frivolous and poor in quality.

[Mark Catalfano · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked "The Matthews Conundrum" by Edward M. Lerner

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually enjoy an Edward L. Learner story and the novella in this issue was no exception. I really appreciate his ability to take relatively hard scifi and craft it around a simply good, ripping tale. Here, fashioning around a universe-scale conspiracy and setting up future stories made it all the better. Most of the short stories were strong as well, with some containing deeper more human themes than I'd typically expect from Analog, balanced by a simple 'science' story by McDevitt that is more a fictional essay, as opposed to a science fiction tale of adventure. The mid-size stories were the low points here though, too extended I thought. Each time I read a story by Di Filippo in particular I am a bit at a loss for my reaction. He writes really well about good ideas, but his stories never seem to keep my focus, as if they become too sprawling and unfocused themselves and I follow suit. It's a conundrum I haven't quite figured out, but I don't think it's a conspiracy at least. Hoping for more good varied issues like this one, though fear the inevitable serials to come...

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another outstanding issue.

Edward M. Lerner's The Matthews Conundrum was awesome.
Paul Di Fillipo's tale of skin based apps was great!
Distant and Deceleration were great stories as well.
Copper Charley and Make Hub, Not War were decent as well.

Keep it up Mr. Quachri!

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad collection of stories, but nothing outstanding. I think the one I liked best was The Mathews Conundrm by Edward M Lerner, however everything else was okay, but I wouldn't go out of my way to read them again.

[Melbourne Bitter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ever notice that the words, vermillion and plas/glasteel only ever appear in sf? Also i've noticed obsidian only ever appears in fantasy. Glasteel appears in this magazine, which i enjoyed. Just an observation.

[ThePulpReader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring issue IMO. "The Matthews Conundrum" was the best, by far.

My review here.