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Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine
July 1997
This month's issue of Asimov's features a somewhat
quirky Reflections by Robert Silverberg. He starts
off by commenting on the strange relationship authors have
with modern conveniences like computers, then wanders off into
a look at old thesaurus in which he finds various words that
have fallen out of usage that he plans/hopes to use in future
novels.
Stories featured in this issue are:
- "The Holy Stomper vs. the Alien Barrel of Death" by
R. Neube. Talk about a weird story! Imagine what happens when an
alien craft passes by Earth and picks up only three transmissions: a
news broadcast, a soap opera and a professional wrestling match!
Thinking the messages are 'holy' they proceed to 'worship' them.
- "Words and Music" by William Sanders. A fascinating
Native-American tale about how magic and Indian gospel singing can
intertwine especially when one of the singers has a devil of a
voice-literally.
- "Guest Law" by John C. Wright. A future space story
about what could happen if the crews of space-ships wilfully choose to
violate the 'guest law', a code of conduct on how crews of ships may
meet to exchange goods or services. Neat writing, especially on the
genetic changes done on the space crews.
- "Black Canoes" by Tony Daniel. Another 'native
magic' story with a difference. This time, it tells about what
characters have to go through to ensure the past and future will
exist.
- "After I Killer Her" by Tanith Lee. Another 'warrior
versus the dragon' story with a difference. This time, we get to see
what effect killing the dragon had on the warrior when he realises
what he has done.
- "Izzy and the Father of Terror" by Eliot Fintushel.
Unfortunately, this is one of Fintushel's more confusing stories (to
me). A lot of characters with a lot of changing situations not
allowing me (with my linear mind) to grasp exactly what was happening.
Maybe if I had much more time, I would have concentrated more and
given this story another go.
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