Description:

In the new millennium, what secrets lay beyond the far reaches of the universe? What mysteries belie the truths we once held to be self evident? The world of science fiction has long been a porthole into the realities of tomorrow, blurring the line between life and art. Now, in *The Year’s Best Science Fiction: Twenty-Ninth Annual Collection *the very best SF authors explore ideas of a new world. This venerable collection brings together award winning authors and masters of the field such as Robert Reed, Alastair Reynolds, Damien Broderick, Elizabeth Bear, Paul McAuley and John Barnes. And with an extensive recommended reading guide and a summation of the year in science fiction, this annual compilation has become the definitive must-read anthology for all science fiction fans and readers interested in breaking into the genre. Contents vii • Permissions (The Year's Best Science Fiction: Twenty-Ninth Annual Collection) • essay by Gardner Dozois xi • Acknowledgments (The Year's Best Science Fiction: Twenty-Ninth Annual Collection) • essay by Gardner Dozois xiii • Summation: 2011 • essay by Gardner Dozois 1 • The Choice • shortfiction by Paul J. McAuley [as by Paul McAuley ] 32 • A Soldier of the City • (2011) • novelette by David Moles 48 • The Beancounter's Cat • (2011) • shortfiction by Damien Broderick 61 • Dolly • (2011) • shortstory by Elizabeth Bear 73 • Martian Heart • (2011) • shortfiction by John Barnes 85 • Earth Hour • (2011) • shortfiction by Ken MacLeod 96 • Laika's Ghost • (2011) • novelette by Karl Schroeder 116 • The Dala Horse • (2011) • shortstory by Michael Swanwick 126 • The Way It All Works Out • shortfiction by Peter S. Beagle 139 • The Ice Owl • (2011) • novella by Carolyn Ives Gilman 172 • The Copenhagen Interpretation • [Jonathan Hamilton • 3] • (2011) • novelette by Paul Cornell 194 • The Invasion of Venus • (2011) • shortstory by Stephen Baxter 204 • Digging • (2011) • shortfiction by Ian McDonald 217 • Ascension Day • (2011) • shortfiction by Alastair Reynolds 221 • After the Apocalypse • (2011) • shortfiction by Maureen F. McHugh 235 • Silently and Very Fast • (2011) • novella by Catherynne M. Valente 277 • A Long Way Hime • (2011) • shortfiction by Jay Lake 294 • The Incredible Exploding Man • (2011) • shortfiction by Dave Hutchinson 309 • What We Found • (2011) • novelette by Geoff Ryman 330 • A Response from EST17 • (2011) • novelette by Tom Purdom 356 • The Cold Step Beyond • (2011) • novelette by Ian R. MacLeod 371 • A Militant Peace • (2011) • novelette by David Klecha and Tobias S. Buckell 388 • The Ants of Flanders • (2011) • novella by Robert Reed 425 • The Vicar of Mars • (2011) • shortfiction by Gwyneth Jones 441 • The Smell of Orange Groves • (2011) • shortstory by Lavie Tidhar 452 • The Iron Shirts • (2011) • shortfiction by Michael F. Flynn 471 • Cody • (2011) • shortstory by Pat Cadigan 487 • For I Have Lain Me Down on the Stone of Loneliness and I'll Not Be Back Again • (2011) • shortstory by Michael Swanwick 499 • Ghostweight • (2011) • novelette by Yoon Ha Lee 515 • Digital Rites • (2011) • shortfiction by Jim Hawkins 542 • The Boneless One • (2011) • novelette by Alec Nevala-Lee 564 • Dying Young • (2011) • shortfiction by Peter M. Ball 578 • Canterbury Hollow • (2011) • shortstory by Chris Lawson 588 • The Vorkuta Event • (2011) • shortfiction by Ken MacLeod 603 • The Man Who Bridged the Mist • (2011) • novella by Kij Johnson 661 • Honorable Mentions: 2011 • essay by Gardner Dozois Collection released as **The Mammoth Book of Best New SF 25** outside the United States.