The Spear of the Sun

Editor David G. Hartwell started this annual anthology series because he felt that the "other" best science fiction anthology ( The Year's Best Science Fiction ) included stories that weren't quite science fiction. Now in its second year, this anthology is proving that there is plenty of great "traditional" work being published in the field, and enough good stories to go around for both anthologies (although there is some overlap between them). In this edition Hartwell showcases talents such as Terry Bisson, James Patrick Kelly, Gene Wolfe, and Allen Steele. No matter how you define science fiction, you'll find something of interest in this excellent collection.

Contents:

Introduction (Year's Best SF 2) • (1997) • essay by David G. Hartwell

After a Lean Winter • (1996) • novelette by Dave Wolverton

In the Upper Room • (1996) • novelette by Terry Bisson

Thinkertoy • (1996) • shortstory by John Brunner

Zoomers • (1996) • shortstory by Gregory Benford

Out of the Mouths • [Guild of Xenolinguists] • (1996) • novelette by Sheila Finch

Breakaway, Backdown • (1996) • shortstory by James Patrick Kelly

Tobacco Words • (1996) • novelette by Yves Meynard

Invasion • (1996) • shortstory by Joanna Russ

The House of Mourning • (1996) • shortstory by Brian Stableford

Life Edit • (1996) • shortstory by Damon Knight

First Tuesday • (1996) • shortstory by Robert Reed

The Spear of the Sun • (1996) • shortstory by David Langford

Counting Cats in Zanzibar • (1996) • shortstory by Gene Wolfe

Bicycle Repairman • [Chattanooga] • (1996) • novelette by Bruce Sterling

Red Sonja and Lessingham in Dreamland • (1996) • shortstory by Gwyneth Jones

Doblin's Lecture • (1996) • shortstory by Allen Steele

The Bride of Elvis • (1996) • shortstory by Kathleen Ann Goonan

Forget Luck • [Tony Manetti] • (1996) • shortstory by Kate Wilhelm

Nonstop to Portales • (1996) • novelette by Connie Willis

Columbiad • (1996) • shortstory by Stephen Baxter