She judges this by whether it’s in print, at her library, or if people still talk about it.
Part of what Walton is doing is deciding if a story holds up over time. It goes to show you that even the most wide-read science fiction fans can’t read everything that common wisdom considers must reading. I understand she has her own novels and stories to write, but still, I hungered for her reaction quite often on the most famous stories.
Walton tells about how this novel is considered the worst novel ever to win the award, and I ached to know her opinion. For example, They’d Rather Be Right by Mark Clifton and Frank Riley, the novel that won the 1955 Hugo. However, I was still disappointed by this stance sometimes. Walton warns that she has not read all the novels and stories nominated for the Hugos. Be sure and read the comments below each column, because Gardner Dozois, Rich Horton, and many others fans, writers, and editors contribute their memories, knowledge, and feelings about the stories. I recommend following the link to the Tor.com site to test drive a few columns before you buy the book. Walton’s book chapters on each year are somewhat different than just reading the columns online because she inserts her longer book reviews (also published at Tor) in the chapter year and selective reader comments each column received. If you’ve followed the Hugos for decades, it will also trigger a lot of great memories. This book is for avid science fiction fans who are scholars or historians of the genre or wish to become one. When I’m through my Kindle will provide a “shopping list” stories I want to study, and maybe remember. I got the Kindle edition because it’s easier to read and I can highlight all the stories I want to track down. Many readers are asking why they should buy this book when it’s culled from Walton’s column at Tor.com. It’s just out in hardback and Kindle editions. Another way is to read An Informal History of the Hugos by Jo Walton, at least for the years 1953-2000. Researching the most remembered short stories, novelettes, and novellas of science fiction for this site was one way of learning about science fiction history. By James Wallace Harris, Monday, August 20, 2018
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