2024 the best science fiction novels review

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A collection of the best science fiction short stories of the 20th century as selected and evaluated by critically-acclaimed author Orson Scott Card.

Featuring stories from the genre's greatest authors: Isaac Asimov • Arthur C. Clarke • Robert A. Heinlein • Ursula K. Le Guin • Ray Bradbury • Frederik Pohl • Harlan Ellison • George Alec Effinger • Brian W. Aldiss • William Gibson & Michael Swanwick • Theodore Sturgeon • Larry Niven • Robert Silverberg • Harry Turtledove • James Blish • George R. R. Martin • James Patrick Kelly • Karen Joy Fowler • Lloyd Biggle, Jr. • Terry Bisson • Poul Anderson • John Kessel • R.A. Lafferty • C.J. Cherryh • Lisa Goldstein • Edmond Hamilton

In much of the science fiction of the past, the twenty-first century existed only in the writers’ imaginations. Now that it’s here, it’s time to take a look back at the last one hundred years in science fiction through the works of the most celebrated and acclaimed authors of the century—to see where we’ve been and just how far we’ve come.
 
Along with a critical essay by Orson Scott Card reassessing science fiction in the twentieth century, Masterpieces includes short fiction by writers who have forged a permanent place for science fiction in the popular culture of today...and tomorrow. It offers a glimpse of the greatest works that mixed science with fiction in trying to figure out humanity’s place in the universe. Featuring bold, brave, and breathtaking stories, this definitive collection will stand the test of time in both this century and those to come.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ace; Reprint edition (March 2, 2004)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 432 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0441011330
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0441011339
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.6 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.9 x 0.9 x 9 inches
Reviewer: RedCrow97
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Quality Sci-Fi stories
Review: I have not read the book yet; This, like the other Sci-Fi books I had ordered as used books at very decent prices; include many wonderful stories by a number of classic Science Fiction authors. Included among these books, some stories written hundreds of years ago. I have a bit more time available these days, and can spend more time reading. With many familiar classic authors and some new ones, this book and the others I ordered around the same time will no doubt be quite enjoyable.

Reviewer: Megan
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A small collection of mostly good stories
Review: This is a small collection of what Card finds to be some of the most influential sci fi across the ages (Golden, New Wave, Media Generation). The book, if you factor out the essays, is probably about 350 pages long, so a fairly quick read for a decent price.Most of the stories were amazing in some way, although there are a few that are so bad that it scratches my head that I can't imagine why Card would include them, such as Ellison's "Repent, Harlequin!" I suppose not all experimental stories are good ones. But then, how do you explain the inclusion of Niven's "Inconstant Moon"?As with all such anthologies, it comes down to your personal opinion. If you happen to like Card's work, you'll probably like a good number of the stories here, since the things a writer reads influences what they write. If you're going in blind and don't happen to like experimental fiction much, a lot of the New Wave stories will fall flat. The "quality" of experimental stories (that survive long enough to make it into anthologies) are often dependent on the temperament of the reader.The rest of the stories are amazing, though, and worth it.You'll just have to read for yourself.

Reviewer: John M. Ford
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Orson Scott Card's Favorite Science Fiction Stories
Review: These twenty-seven science fiction stories are those Orson Scott Card found memorable, enjoyable and influential. Card stratifies his collection by three eras of twentieth century science fiction: The Golden Age (beginning of the century to the mid-1960s); The New Wave (mid-1960s to mid-1970s); and The Media Generation (mid-1970s and onward). Readers interested in the genre's history might consult Adam Roberts' History of Science Fiction for a definition of these eras--and pre-twentieth-century periods that Card omits from consideration.The Golden Age "includes the writers and stories that created science fiction as we know it." Of Card's nine stories, two stand out. Poul Anderson's "Call Me Joe" explores the psychological connection between a biologically-engineered "remote" on Jupiter's surface and its human operator in orbit above. The still-current topic contrasts with a retro feel from "tubes and circuits" technology. Robert Heinlein's "All You Zombies--" guides us through the now-familiar scenario of a time-traveling police force that guards the timelines and recruits from various eras. The story's recruitment is undertaken with a close-knit cast of characters.New Wave stories are drawn from a period when science fiction was moving beyond the common story structures of the Golden Age. I have two favorites of Card's seven. Ursula Le Guin's "The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas" reminds us that we pay an almost-hidden price for our happy lives. After reading her story, we cannot claim to have no choice. Larry Niven's "Inconstant Moon" paces through the long, sleepless night after its protagonist figures out the puzzle of the evening sky's too-bright moon.Media Generation stories come from a less well-defined era, produced by writers who grew up watching science fiction movies and television shows. Here are the best two of Card's eleven. George Martin's "Sandkings" features a wealthy man who is self-centered, vain and cruel. And yet his alien pets worship him. Terry Bisson's "Bear's Discover Fire" explores the implications of a slight intelligence increase in a familiar mammal. It is understated, clever, and emotionally rich.The collection is highly recommended, both to experienced fans and to those needing an introduction to this century's science fiction. As Card admits, there are many good stories left out, many important authors not represented. Read for what is here. And enjoy.

Reviewer: Jane Ryder
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Classics old and new
Review: This is a great collection of stories, both classics I've read before and some more recent authors I hadn't encountered. I'd have to say all of the stories are good, but some of them stand out as exceptional, including "Sandkings" by George R.R. Martin, "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" by Ursula K. LeGuin, and the goofy but strangely affecting "Bears Discover Fire" byTerry Bisson.This is a collection by true masters of the genre and covers all types of SF, from soft and hard science to almost-horror, ethical explorations to straight-up space opera, so whatever your preferences you'll find something to enjoy. I've encountered quite a few of these in other collections, like the Science Fiction Hall of Fame, but that's not a failing on the part of Orson Scott Card -- the stories deserve to be included in a collection called "Masterpieces." I do wish Card would have talked about why he chose each piece, rather than simply introducing each story with the author's publishing history, but that's a small quibble for such a great anthology.

Reviewer: John Stults
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Good but not great
Review: ok selection of short stories. I am not sure I would call this the best of the 20 th century but overall most of the stories are good and worth reading, not sure on the re reading. The selection is light and pretty good for a quick read at night before going to sleep. I was a bit disappointed in OSC's writeups on the authors and stories -- at times read like a publishers setting on the back jacket of a book. Overall I would call it good but not geat.

Reviewer: Real Name - Real Name
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great Anthology!
Review: Very impressed! I'm new to science fiction and I have discovered some great writers in this collection. 100 Stars!

Reviewer: Shabkar
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: I learned something new
Review: I read Science Fiction my whole long life, but in this book I was exposed to authors that I had never heard of or that I did not know had written Science Fiction.

Reviewer: MPA
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great stories by the All stars of Sci-Fi
Review: WORTH THE MONEY. Great stories by the All stars of Sci-Fi. The anthology is a hard one to put down, a definite page turner that will really make you think about the world, your life, politics, tech and science, humanity, the way of man. Reading this book will make you think differently about the world we live in. Sci-Fi has always made me rethink my view of the world, made me see the universe in different manners and light and this book achieves that.

Reviewer: Eduardo Ángeles
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Excelentes autores, calidad de impresión y precio. Si eres fan de la ciencia ficción debes tenerlo.

Reviewer: Paul G B Howorth
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Awesome collection of stories

Reviewer: Steven Lee
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I am really after Heinlein's short stories, but this book opens the doors for other authors as well

Reviewer: A. K.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: excellent

Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: A wonderous collection of short stories.