The Very Best of the Best: 35 Years of The Year's Best Science Fiction

The Very Best of the Best compiles 38 science fiction short stories published between 1983 and 2017, selected by longtime editor Gardner Dozois from his annual "Year's Best" anthologies. This collection represents Dozois's final curation before his death in 2018, drawing from over three decades of the genre's standout works. The anthology spans multiple science fiction subgenres including hard SF, space opera, cyberpunk, and post-apocalyptic tales. Authors featured include both established names like Alastair Reynolds and Ken Liu, along with breakthrough voices who shaped the field during this period. The stories explore technological advancement, first contact, artificial intelligence, space colonization, and alternate histories. The collection showcases works of varying lengths, from brief character studies to novellas. These selections reflect the evolution of science fiction from the 1980s through the 2010s, tracking how writers responded to rapid technological change and shifting social dynamics. The anthology captures both the genre's enduring themes and its capacity for reinvention.

Readers note this collection contains stories previously published in other "Year's Best" volumes by Gardner Dozois, causing disappointment for some who already owned those anthologies. Likes: - Strong curation spanning multiple decades of sci-fi - Mix of established authors and lesser-known voices - Stories maintain relevance despite their age - High ratio of hard sci-fi to softer speculative fiction Dislikes: - Significant overlap with prior Dozois collections - Some stories feel dated in their social perspectives - Length of certain selections (multiple readers cited "The Potter of Bones" as too long) - Technical density makes some stories inaccessible Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (224 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (116 reviews) Notable reader comment: "These aren't necessarily the absolute best stories from each year - they're the ones that aged well and still resonate today." - Goodreads reviewer Several readers mentioned this works better as a first Dozois anthology purchase rather than an addition to an existing collection.

The Big Book of Science Fiction by Ann, Jeff VanderMeer An anthology spanning from the 1920s through 2010s that compiles groundbreaking science fiction stories from both well-known and overlooked international authors.

Masterpieces: The Best Science Fiction of the Century by Orson Scott Card A collection of stories that traces the evolution of science fiction through the twentieth century with works from authors who shaped the genre.

The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Volume One by Robert Silverberg Stories selected by the Science Fiction Writers of America as the most influential works published before the establishment of the Nebula Awards.

The Time Traveler's Almanac by Ann VanderMeer, Jeff VanderMeer A collection focusing on time travel stories from the past century includes works from H.G. Wells through contemporary authors.

Dangerous Visions by Harlan Ellison A compilation of original science fiction stories that broke taboos and challenged conventions when first published in 1967.

🌟 Gardner Dozois served as editor of Asimov's Science Fiction magazine for 20 years (1984-2004), helping shape the careers of numerous acclaimed sci-fi writers 🚀 The collection includes works from 35 different volumes of "The Year's Best Science Fiction" series, which Dozois edited annually from 1984 until his death in 2018 📚 Dozois won the Hugo Award for Best Professional Editor 15 times, making him one of the most decorated editors in science fiction history 💫 Many stories in this collection were originally published in magazines that no longer exist, preserving important works that might otherwise be difficult for modern readers to find 🏆 As a writer himself, Dozois won two Nebula Awards for his short fiction, proving his expertise extended beyond editing to creating compelling science fiction