Continuing a theme I will feature a few more times, below is the listing of the category “best related work”:
BEST RELATED WORK (2080 ballots)
- Between Light and Shadow: An Exploration of the Fiction of Gene Wolfe, 1951 to 1986 by Marc Aramini (Castalia House)
- “The First Draft of My Appendix N Book” by Jeffro Johnson (jeffro.wordpress.com)
- “Safe Space as Rape Room” by Daniel Eness (castaliahouse.com)
- SJWs Always Lie: Taking Down the Thought Police by Vox Day (Castalia House)
- “The Story of Moira Greyland” by Moira Greyland (askthebigot.com)
Over at Mad Genius Club they have been doing features on the various categories, helping people get a handle on the material (but not telling them how to vote — a clear distinction). The comments there helped me view these works better, but I definitely have my own opinions on the works themselves.
Between Light and Shadow: Mad Genius Club said this is “very well written and as densely layered and rich as Wolfe’s fiction.” I can agree it is good writing, and dense. But why, oh why, does it have to make Wolfe’s fiction sound so boring. All this analysis makes many of the stories just totally disappear. I’ll admit I haven’t read any of Wolfe’s works, and this work certainly discourages me from reading any of them.
The First Draft of My Appendix N Book: This was a real undertaking, an exhaustive study of the fiction that inspired the gaming world’s core initial creation: Dungeons and Dragons. I haven’t had time to read this, but I like the idea of the book, and I think this sort of focus on the influences of other eras that is needed today.
Safe Space as Rape Room: This book really puts the fear in me. I am attending my first convention this year, and was excited to get my kids to be influenced by it as well. Now I’m wondering if they should go. No, not that seriously, but I will give them caution. Truthfully, this is a good work, and I am glad it was written. But I think other works deserve the honor more.
SJWs Always Lie: Taking Down the Thought Police: Now, this is a well written piece. I enjoyed reading this. Probably the same comments about its suitableness could be made as I made about the Safe Space, and will make about the final entry. But the writing and wit give me a better rating for this one.
The Story of Moira Greyland: This is a personal story. About people in Science Fiction, but not directly about science fiction itself. I applaud it for the moral strength to say what was said, and to stand up. It should have made the list. I just don’t think this is the type of stuff I would vote for the top.
So here is my ranking:
- The First Draft of y Appendix N Book
- SJWs Always Lie: Taking Down the Thought Police
- Between Light and Shadow
- Safe Space as Rape Room
- The Story of Moira Greyland
Feel free to read and/or comment on your own views of these works. This post is not to persuade you to vote my way, but to think about why you would vote.
At The Rainbow 