When the Great Days Come

Starred review from July 11, 2011
This emotionally moving collection of Dozois's recent writing and a selection of his best earlier piecesâincluding his two Nebula winners, "The Peacemaker" and "Morning Child"âis a valuable reminder that the renowned Asimov's editor and anthologist also continues, if sporadically, to write significant fiction. Concentrating on the dilemma of how a rational species deals with its irrational urges, Dozois investigates the value and limits of forgiveness ("Dinner Party"), atonement ("Solace"), and religious belief ("Community," "Disciples"). Humans struggle to communicate with alien colonists ("Chains of the Sea"), rebellious computers ("Recidivist"), and animals ("A Cat Horror Story"). What redeems us are empathy ("A Special Kind of Morning") and the evergreen possibilities of life ("A Knight of Ghosts and Shadows"). Dozois demonstrates his range with classic fantasy, alternate history, and golden ageâstyle horror as well as hard SF.

August 1, 2011

Whether a tale involving the repercussions of an American history that does not include Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox ("Counterfactual") or a reflection on the past century in the persona of an old man faced with the possibility of recapturing his youth by transferring his consciousness to a machine ("Knight of Ghosts and Shadows"), the 18 stories in this collection span nearly five decades, from 1971 to 2010, and illustrate the author's breadth of knowledge and storytelling mastery. Known primarily as an editor (The Year's Best Science Fiction, Vols. 1-28; Nebula Awards Showcase 2006), Dozois is also an author of short stories, novels, and nonfiction. VERDICT These elegant and eclectic stories should delight sf readers of every persuasion.

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