It’s New Year so it must be time for some literary science fiction awards shortlists to appear – and indeed Science Fiction Awards Watch posted up the final shortlist for the British Science Fiction Association (BSFA)’s nominees. Along with the Arthur C Clarke Awards the BSFAs are a very prestigious British award for science fiction and fantasy; each year you can pretty much use the novels shortlist as a good recommended reading list (if you haven’t read them already). Of the six nominees on the Best Novel shortlist I’m afraid I have only managed to read half of them, although I have to say all three, very different books, were quite brilliant: Richard Morgan’s Black Man (published as Thirteen in the States), a powerhouse, action-packed piece which made good points about race, gender and genetics, Ken MacLeod’s Execution Channel, a near-future thriller which brings the War on Terror close to home and is something everyone should read, and Bryan Talbot’s Alice in Sunderland.
Yes, you read that last one correctly – Bryan’s superb, years-in-the-making graphic novel is on the shortlist. I haven’t had a chance to read Ian McDonald’s Brasyl, Alastair Reynolds’ The Prefect or Michael Chabon’s The Yiddish Police Man’s Union, but I have read previous work by all three writers and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend their novels to anyone. I’m trying to cast my mind back and think if a graphic novel has made it onto the short list for the BSFAs before – I’m sure Cheryl from SFAW or someone else will know – but it certainly isn’t a regular event (hence why I am struggling to think of another one in recent years), so an extra special well-done to Bryan and, of course, best of luck to all those nominated. SFAW has the full details of all the other categories; the BSFA awards will be given out at the annual Eastercon on Saturday 22nd March.
Wed, Jan 23, 2008
Awards, Books