Analog July-August 2008
Overall, this issue largely revolved around belief and religion (though not entirely). Sadly, much of the writing that focused on that theme are not the best stories in this issue. There are some more thoughts over at the always-interesting SF Gospel. Below the fold are my thoughts about the fiction in this issue.
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Tracking, pt I of III, David R. Palmer: DNR completely. Seems promising.
Tenbrook of Mars, Dean McLaughlin: Hard engineering SF in the form of an intimate character sketch. One of the best novellas I’ve read in years. Would spoil it to make it any longer, though, and still might have drug on a touch too long. Even so, this one will be with me for a good long while.
The Exoanthropic Principle, Carl Frederick: Thoughtful and provocative story touching on religion and SETI. Some plot contrivances detract, but readers may find much to consider. Frederick did not really seriously examine the implications of the events, though. Instead, he seems to be only inventing an unlikely potential counter-case that could possibly deny belief in God if it came to pass. It’s a shame because the last thoughts of the protagonist in the story hint at possible additional depth.
Sand and Iron, Michael F. Flynn: Great use of language; very much in the style of old-school pulp SF.
Shotgun Seat, Paul Carlson: Fun little story about trucker culture and androids. The end comes together a little too quickly; it could have had a bit more exposition. The writer is apparently a trucker himself.
A Plethora of Truth, Bond Elam: This isn’t science fiction. It’s a rant against hypocrisy in the pulpit, and the writer seems to be one of those that lumps all believers in together based on the lowest common demoninator. (I could not find a link for the author.)
Let the Word Take Me, Juliette Wade: A far more interesting exploration of religion and language in an alien society, reminding me of the best of what Star Trek stood for.
Junkie, Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff: You see it coming, but keep thinking it’ll change. The flow felt a bit muddled to me, even if the hook is good.
Imprint, Kyle Kirkland: Not sure yet what I think about this one. The characters are mostly caricatures, and the action buildup seemed to leave a lot unexplained. That might have been by design, but the writer’s intent was less than clear.
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