Fast Forward 1

The February 11th issue of the The San Deigo Union-Tribune has a brief but enthusiastic mention of Fast Forward 1: Future Fiction from the Cutting Edge at the tail end of a review roundup called “Thomas Becket would be right at home.”:

“More than a score of stories by favorite writers like Justina Robson, Kage Baker and Gene Wolfe. Oh, and don’t start on the lovely Rudy-Ruckerian “WkiWorld” by Paul Di Filippo unless you want to have your head spin several times to giggles and joy.’

Booklist has reviewed Fast Forward 1: Future Fiction from the Cutting Edge:

“An anthology inspired by its editor’s declaration that ‘science fiction is a tool for making sense of a changing world’ contains quite a range of stories, from Elizabeth Bear’s ‘The Something-Dreaming Game,’ in which children play a fainting game (basically autoerotic asphyxiation), and one girl communicates with the possibly last member of an alien species, to Tony Ballantyne’s ‘Aristotle OS,’ in which a journalist with computer problems upgrades from the familiar, platonic OSs to Aristotle; the different systems operate on the theories of the philosophers referenced, causing some very interesting problems when the journalist connects to the Internet with its wealth of contradictory information. Ken MacLeod’s ‘Jesus Christ, Reanimator’ is an interesting take on the second coming, replete with fascinating rationalizations by both scientific and Christian establishments, none of which wants to take Jesus on faith. Louise Marley tells a time-travel story about a particular performance instruction, p dolce, in the music of Brahms. Other contributions by familiar and new names fill out a worthy menu of engrossing forays into wildly, creatively varied futures.” –Regina Schroeder

The February 2007 issue of Locus is out, containing two very nice reviews of Fast Forward 1: Future Fiction from the Cutting Edge:

“Lou Anders has edited a couple of first rate anthologies over the past few years, and with this book he initiates what one hopes will be a series of original anthologies. I enjoyed Fast Forward 1, and I certainly hope it continues for years…The table of contents is intrigu­ing – featuring many of the best newer writers, including some who may be unfamiliar to US readers…it must be said that the stories are on the whole solid work…plenty of good stories, only one great one. That great story is Ken MacLeod’s ‘‘Jesus Christ, Reanimator’’, at this very early date a definite competitor for the 2007 Hugo…It’s smart and cynical and even surprising. First rate work…well worth reading…on balance a pretty fine anthology.” -review by Rich Horton

“For some years now, Lou Anders has been editing good to excellent original anthologies with urgently prospective science-fictional themes…Now, in charge at Pyr Books, Anders has the security of outcome necessary to plan a whole anthology series – a rare opportunity these days. And, naturally, his continuing urge to confront the future grounds that series: Fast Forward. The first volume is definitely promising: many first-rate contributors, some striking individual stories…many SF readers will enjoy Fast Forward 1 cover to cover; but ‘Fast Forward’ should be exactly that, a speculative onrush into futures still possible and valid, and on that count this anthology is only partly successful.” –review by Nick Gevers

Tired of the good reviews of Fast Forward 1 yet?
I’m not!

The Library Journal has just reviewed Fast Forward 1: Future Fiction from the Cutting Edge, and I’m happy to report the string of positive reviews continues:

“Sf anthologies generally trace their roots back to the classic Amazing Stories magazine series, which began in 1926. Having edited a number of sf collections, Anders understands this historical context; his introduction to his fifth anthology is an invitation to the young acolyte reader as well as the grizzled veteran to sit back and enjoy the “amazing” enlightenment possible in reading sf shorts. The names on the list of contributing authors read much like an All-Star roster of current American and British sf writers. From stories by Tony Ballantyne about software and David Hume to the problems associated with raising genetically cloned saber-toothed cats in Mary Turzillo’s story “Pride,” the writers tackle moral, ethical, and philosophical issues. Anders is your guide, and the limits of your imagination determine the level of enjoyment and amount of wisdom to be garnered from this anthology. Recommended for both public and school libraries.” –Library Journal web exclusive review, January 30, 2007