Catching up from my travels, I see a variety of SF-related book award news.
First, the Hugo Award finalists were announced. I’ve actually read four of the five finalists for best novel: Brasyl by Ian McDonald, Rollback by Robert J. Sawyer, The Last Colony by John Scalzi and Halting State by Charles Stross. The only one I haven’t read is The Yiddish Policeman’s Union by Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Chabon.
Nominee Robert Sawyer makes the interesting observation that all the authors are children of the 60s. The list of finalists for all the various Hugo awards is here.
Another shortlist announced this weekend was for the Prometheus Awards, given annually to celebrate libertarian fiction. I’ve only read one of the five finalists, The Execution Channel by Ken MacLeod.
Braysl‘s Hugo finalist status comes the same weekend it won the best novel category in the BFSA Awards. Also over the weekend, Nova Swing by M. John Harrison won the Philip K. Dick Award. Given that it also won the 2007 Arthur C. Clarke Award, I may have to add it to my “one of these days” list.
SF is an opportunity to have an intense relationship with your own imagination.
M. John Harrison
