The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2023

Enjoying the book

book is as described except it came with minor damage on the back cover

I expected Sci-Fi. This was more an allegorical, politically-correct ongoing commentary on societal issues and societal flaws from a feminine point of view. Nothing in the way of actual Sci-Fi; I finally gave up half-way. The writing was well-done and skillful; just nothing worthwhile for the traditional sci-fi reader. For this sci-fi reader of 63 years, not worth the money or the time.

The six deaths of a Saint is one of my favorite reads ever and I need it in my shelves. Now... add that to a short story by one of my favorite gothic horror writers and we have a winner. I wish they were longer tho.

Science fiction is something you read so you can let go and imagine the possible, especially the future possible. I see little if any science here, and no science fiction (maybe a little fantasy). It seems like the authors are simply working on their writing while not creating anything approximating interesting reading. Sorry. Some of the most boring reading I have ever done. It was painful.

I fail a lot in keeping up with short stories during the year, so this was a great way to see some of the amazing work published in 2022. Anthologies are always hard to rate, but this is one of those occasions where I need to round up to 5⭐️because almost every story completely grabbed me. I love speculative short stories because authors are always finding new ways of being weird and somehow making us believe that this weirdness has logic, and this collection is not short in great (weird) realities. Can’t wait to go through the longlist to find more new favorites!

Great collection.

I have bought this anthology every year for decades, and found this collection to be the most disappointing so far. While I appreciate the attempt to bring in other voices and perspectives, the sci-fi part of the book was MIA, for the most part. If next year is like this I am bowing out.