I enjoy the annual write-ups on the Clarke Awards that Adam Roberts does for InfinityPlus. I don’t always agree with what he says, but he’s always interesting and we agree often enough that I keep reading. The latest instalment is up, so you should go check it (and its predecessors) out. Happily, I agree with his recommendation this time out. The Ryman novel is extraordinary. As a quick aside, did anyone else notice Ryman’s new novel slip out without so much as a whisper?
- The Arthur C Clarke Shortlist 2006: Kazuo Ishiguro, Ken MacLeod, Alastair Reynolds, Geoff Ryman, Charles Stross, Liz Williams
- The Arthur C Clarke Shortlist 2005: Ian McDonald, China Miéville*, David Mitchell, Richard Morgan, Audrey Niffenegger and Neal Stephenson
- The Arthur C Clarke Award shortlist, 2004: Stephen Baxter, Greg Bear, William Gibson, Gwyneth Jones, Neal Stephenson*, Tricia Sullivan
- The Arthur C Clarke Award shortlist, 2003: David Brin, M John Harrison, China Miéville, Elizabeth Moon, Christopher Priest*, Kim Stanley Robinson
- The Arthur C Clarke Award shortlist, 2002: Paul McAuley, Jon Courtenay Grimwood, Connie Willis, Justina Robson, Peter F. Hamilton, Gwyneth Jones *
I do have The King’s Last Song. I just haven’t had a chance to read it yet. Other things keep interpolating into my queue. Feedback from other people suggests that it’s v.g., though.
Hi Jonathan,
I really enjoy Adam’s writeups, too, even when I disagree with them. This year I thought he got Learning the World and Pushing Ice just about exactly right — oddly enough those are the two novels I just finished. I was pleased in particular to note that he was reminded of A Deepness in the Sky by Learning the World — I’d had the same thought.
—
Rich
Geoff Ryman’s AIR just won the Tiptree Award. He’ll be coming to Wiscon for the ceremony in May.
Tsk, not reading the Emerald City blog again, eh?
Actually I think it is being launched on the 16th, but I’ve left the PR stuff in England. I read it on the flight over to California. Fabulous book, though Geoff has managed to excise all SF from it. Review in the next Emerald City.
Niall, I’ve not seen a copy, but apparently it’s been out for a little while. Given that there are usually galleys etc, I’m surprised not to see ANY advance reviews. I’m also surprised that there hasn’t been more talk about it in the genre media outlets.
Cheryl, I’ve read the blog. Doesn’t change the fact that the book’s been out for a while, and there’s been no real talk on it.
Ellen, yeah, I saw that. I wish I could go to Wiscon. I’d love to meet him, and I love the hotel.
Rich, I couldn’t agree more.
Btw, just so you know, that wasn’t this Ellen. I’m assuming it was Klages commenting :-)