Rating: 
Summary: OUTSTANDING!!!
Review: That so many incredibly gifted scifi writers were inspired enough by the songs of one songwriter to be willing to contribute to an anthology is amazing. That each story so excellently showcases not only the skill of the storyteller but the essence of the song is nothing short of miraculous. The author list reads like a `who's who' of scifi writers; from Tad Williams and Spider Robinson, to Mercedes Lackey and Tanith Lee, with Mike Resnick and Janis Ian herself contributing stories into the mix. There is something for everyone in this anthology. You don't need to have any idea who Janis Ian is to be thoroughly engaged by these stories. This book should be on the shelf of every person who considers themselves a fan of science fiction. It's a keeper!
Rating:
Summary: OUTSTANDING!!!
Review: That so many incredibly gifted scifi writers were inspired enough by the songs of one songwriter to be willing to contribute to an anthology is amazing. That each story so excellently showcases not only the skill of the storyteller but the essence of the song is nothing short of miraculous. The author list reads like a 'who's who' of scifi writers; from Tad Williams and Spider Robinson, to Mercedes Lackey and Tanith Lee, with Mike Resnick and Janis Ian herself contributing stories into the mix. There is something for everyone in this anthology. You don't need to have any idea who Janis Ian is to be thoroughly engaged by these stories. This book should be on the shelf of every person who considers themselves a fan of science fiction. It's a keeper!
Rating:
Summary: Amazing, just amazing!
Review: The list of authors is exemplary. The list of songs is exemplary. That Janis Ian and Mike Resnick could bring together authors of this stature, meld them to the songs, and come up with 30 astonishing stories based on those songs, is more than I can handle! I read it cover to cover, and plan to read it again and again. Robert Silverberg's "Legends" was pretty terrific, but it didn't sit on the cutting edge. It was too safe. This is the closest thing to "Dangerous Visions" I've found. A "Dangerous Visions" for my own generation!
Rating:
Summary: SF pay homage to Ms. Ian and her wonderful songs
Review: The theme is a gimmick as this collection contains thirty tales built from Janis Ian's music. Ms. Ian selected the authors based on her love of science fiction and how each one influenced her lyrics. Thus the anthology goes full circle. Each tale is well written with some being fantastic such as Nancy Kress' "EJ-ES" (work it out) and Resnick's "Society's Gov". No contribution is weak as the STARS of SF pay homage to Ms. Ian and her wonderful songs.Fans of short story science fiction will appreciate this delightful book, but especially those like this reviewer who remembers hearing "Society's Child" on the radio when some young teen my age was the rage. Though not attending Elsinore (try Hunter Bronx at seventeen) and having not been at conventions in recent years due to health, there is only one personal complaint to this fine collection. Resnick failed to announce that Ms. Ian would be at the 01 World Science Fiction Convention, for this fan of hers would have made superwoman efforts to attend. Keep that in mind bias is showing. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: SF pay homage to Ms. Ian and her wonderful songs
Review: The theme is a gimmick as this collection contains thirty tales built from Janis Ian's music. Ms. Ian selected the authors based on her love of science fiction and how each one influenced her lyrics. Thus the anthology goes full circle. Each tale is well written with some being fantastic such as Nancy Kress' "EJ-ES" (work it out) and Resnick's "Society's Gov". No contribution is weak as the STARS of SF pay homage to Ms. Ian and her wonderful songs. Fans of short story science fiction will appreciate this delightful book, but especially those like this reviewer who remembers hearing "Society's Child" on the radio when some young teen my age was the rage. Though not attending Elsinore (try Hunter Bronx at seventeen) and having not been at conventions in recent years due to health, there is only one personal complaint to this fine collection. Resnick failed to announce that Ms. Ian would be at the 01 World Science Fiction Convention, for this fan of hers would have made superwoman efforts to attend. Keep that in mind bias is showing. Harriet Klausner
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