[phil_geo]

The short story nominees for the 2010 Hugo Award have been published online as usual. They are available to read for free.

Links to each story: http://www.sfsignal.com/archives/2010/04/finalists-2010-hugo-awards-and-john-w-campbell-award-nominees/

Here's my opinion:

• “The Bride of Frankenstein”, Mike Resnick (Asimov’s 12/09)
I don't want to be too harsh, but Mike Resnick should not keep getting nominated every year. This year's entry is weak - I really don't see anything that stands out. Interestingly, it has the same romantic sappy feel as the last couple year's winners, but I don't think it has the strength of characters or even plot. Probably the weakest entry.

• “Bridesicle”, Will McIntosh (Asimov’s 1/09)
I found this very orignal, and it also has the same romantic story angle. However, the concept and complexity just blows away "The Bride of Frankenstein". The creepy premise is especially creepy because I could see it happening.
• “The Moment”, Lawrence M. Schoen (Footprints; Hadley Rille Books)
The writing here is phenomenal, but hard to get through. Two readings at a minimum is required, and who does that anymore? Another very original story with a lot of worldbuilding that reminds me a little of Startide Rising. Enough here for a novel.
• “Non-Zero Probabilities”, N.K. Jemisin (Clarkesworld 9/09)
An original idea, but not much more. The writing is average and the you never eally empathize with the characters. I enjoyed it but it's not that strong.
• “Spar”, Kij Johnson (Clarkesworld 10/09)
A crazy, very disturbing story. I found myself very interested in what happens, and a little disappointed with the ending. Overall, I thought this was a great story even though reading it bothered me a little. Johnson definitely achieves an emotional response, and without currying cheap sympathy.

My final guess? Should win: The Moment. Will Win: Bridesicle.

[phil_geo]

Come on people! Every year this happens - board members will read a five page thread on 'if scifi is dying', but won't read the best science fiction of the year for free. Links are listed above for each short story - have a fun hour or two and read them all!

[DurzoBlint]

I will read a few of them in the next day or two but I did manage to read The Moment and I did enjoy the ending. Great message.

[DurzoBlint]

Had more time that I thought out of all of them I liked Bride of Frankenstein out of all of them as it had a bit of humor in it. Bridescicle is my second choice the rest of them decent with Spar being my least favorite. Just weird and I felt the lewd word choices unnecessary. I don't consider myself a prude by any means, but I thought some of the words and images were rather vulgar. Guess I am just not a fan of erotica.

[Seli]

Slowly going through them. So far the Jemisin story did not impress me that much.

In the novelette category I do have a (premature) weak spot for Watts, but I'll have to read the others.
Since there is a chance I will be voting this year I should read them all I know :o

[phil_geo]

Had more time that I thought out of all of them I liked Bride of Frankenstein out of all of them as it had a bit of humor in it. Bridescicle is my second choice the rest of them decent with Spar being my least favorite. Just weird and I felt the lewd word choices unnecessary. I don't consider myself a prude by any means, but I thought some of the words and images were rather vulgar. Guess I am just not a fan of erotica.
I agree with your assessment of Spar. I appreciate the bizarreness and the writing skill, but the story itself bothered me enough that I couldn't enjoy it. I think a lot of times I worry I'll get "Oh, you are a prude /rolleyes" whenever I feel a story is too much porn, but this story is a bit much. I am impressed it was nominated at all, though, due to the potentially contraversial content.

I think Bride of Frankenstein fits a category a lot of people like, but I just didn't see the skill of execution on this one. The reader sees the wife's transformation coming a mile away and there were no surprises from the first journal entry to the last. Another thing about this one is that it is waaay too similar to his 2008 entry, Distant Replay. Both are romantic stories where the protagonist shares a deep knowledge of romance novels and movies.

I did manage to read The Moment and I did enjoy the ending. Great message.
I agree, although with the current state of the space program, it is currently the spot where we stepped back. I think Schoen is trying to send a message to the world that it is a very sad thing that the greatest technological triumph in the history of man occurred 40 years ago.

[Hobbit]

Thanks, phil.

Appreciate the linkage. Even though people are not necessarily writing here, I hope at least that the links may get them to, you know, read.

Of course, alternatively this thread may be typical of the 'Do the Hugos matter any more?' debate which can usually accompany the nominations!

Mark

[Bond]

Tried "The Moment" since the description given seemed interesting. Ended up skimming it and feeling befuddled at the ending. Too deep for me or the point was badly constructed. Tried some of these Hugo nominated short stories from past years also and have to conclude they just aren't fun to read.

[phil_geo]

The Moment takes some effort, I agree. I tried to skim it too at first and didn't like it - I almost didn't go back. Then I took my time and read it, though, and I enjoyed it. I do wonder if the difficulty is all intentional or if any was in the execution.

If you want a quick easy read try The Bride of Frankenstein or even Bridesicle. I think the Hugo short stories have all kinds of styles, and I enjoy both easy and tough for short stories. Probably because I don't usually enjoy an entire book of difficult prose, but I can get through 4 pages of it and enjoy it. The incomprehensible The House Beyond Your Sky (http://www.strangehorizons.com/2006/20060904/house-f.shtml) (2006 nominee) is still one of my favorite short stories. I've reread that one many times now.

[DurzoBlint]

Slowly going through them. So far the Jemisin story did not impress me that much.

In the novelette category I do have a (premature) weak spot for Watts, but I'll have to read the others.
Since there is a chance I will be voting this year I should read them all I know :o

The Jemisin story was awful but then again most of them were. I think the above poster has a point that many of the short stories are just not fun to read, which should be the point of reading.

The Moment was hard to read but I as I said above the message was decent.