The Big Book of Modern Fantasy

The Big Book of Modern Fantasy collects fantasy short stories published between 1946 and 2010, featuring over 90 works from writers across the globe. The anthology spans decades of fantasy literature developments and innovations while highlighting both major names and overlooked gems. The selections push beyond standard fantasy tropes and settings to include surrealism, magic realism, and experimental forms. Works appear in new translations from multiple languages, making previously inaccessible stories available to English readers. The VanderMeers provide context through introductory notes about each author and story's place in fantasy literature. The chronological arrangement allows readers to trace the evolution of fantasy writing across the latter half of the 20th century and into the 21st. This anthology presents fantasy as a mode of literature that challenges reality while engaging with human experiences and societal questions. The stories demonstrate how fantasy enables writers to explore cultural boundaries, social structures, and the nature of storytelling itself.

Readers note this anthology provides an extensive collection of fantasy stories from 1945-2010, though some question if all selections qualify as "fantasy." Liked: - Diverse mix of well-known and obscure authors - International scope with translated works - High production quality and organization - Helpful author introductions - Inclusion of experimental/unconventional pieces Disliked: - Length makes it difficult to read straight through - Some stories feel too literary/avant-garde for fantasy fans - A few translations read awkwardly - Several readers found the post-1970 selections weaker "Perfect for discovering new authors" appears in multiple reviews, while others mention it works better as a reference than continuous reading. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.16/5 (166 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (89 ratings) StoryGraph: 4.25/5 (43 ratings) One common reviewer note: "Best approached as a buffet - sample different stories rather than attempting to read cover-to-cover."

The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror by Ellen Datlow. This anthology series collects fantasy and horror stories from both established and emerging writers across different styles and traditions.

The Secret History of Fantasy by Peter S. Beagle. This collection presents fantasy stories that challenge genre conventions and explore new narrative territories.

The Weird: A Compendium of Strange and Dark Stories by Jeff VanderMeer, Ann VanderMeer. This compilation traces the evolution of weird fiction through stories from the past century.

Masterpieces of Fantasy and Wonder by David G. Hartwell. The anthology spans fantasy literature from its roots to contemporary works with selections from both classic and lesser-known authors.

The New Weird by Jeff VanderMeer. This collection documents the emergence of the New Weird movement through stories that combine fantasy, horror, and science fiction elements.

🌟 At 1,126 pages, this anthology covers fantasy works published between 1945 and 2010, featuring over 90 stories from around the world. 🔮 The VanderMeers spent nearly five years collecting and translating stories for this volume, including several works that had never before appeared in English. 📚 The anthology includes works from Jorge Luis Borges, Ursula K. Le Guin, Gabriel García Márquez, and Stephen King, demonstrating fantasy's reach across literary and genre boundaries. ✨ Ann VanderMeer previously served as the editor-in-chief of Weird Tales, the oldest fantasy magazine in the world, which has published works since 1923. 🌍 The collection challenges Western-centric views of fantasy by incorporating works from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, presenting a truly global perspective of the genre.