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Here’s a brick of a book. The Norton Book of Science Fiction is 30 years of
science fiction by North American writers between 1960 and 1990, edited by
Ursula Le Guin and Brian Attebery. Begin at the beginning? “Alpha Ralpha
Boulevard” by Cordwainer Smith? Or at the end with John Kessel’s “The Invaders”
on page 850? However you read it, the riches of imagination shine through. And
just flicking through the list of stories, picking the next treat, shows the
course of science fiction. For example, remarks Le Guin, “We have regendered a
field that was, to begin with, practically solid testosterone”, so you’ll find
Octavia Butler, James Tiptree and Pat Cadigan in good company. Then there’s
Philip K. Dick, Samuel R. Delaney . . . Give it to a good friend (borrow it
back) or keep it for yourself. Published by W. W. Norton, £17.95, ISBN
0393972410.