Once again here we are, discussing more science fiction short stories from 1989 as they appeared in the lengthy Gardner Dozois anthology The Year's Best Science Fiction, Seventh Annual Collection. I would be remiss leaving that year before mentioning the terrible "World Series" earthquake, at a scale of 6.9, which happened right in the middle of a game between the San Francisco Giants and Oakland A's. Thousands were injured and 63 died during this strongest quake to hit central California since the devastating one in 1906. Now let's check out some more of the stories from '89...
THE THIRD SEX by Alan Brennert
A person is born with no sexual organs, male or female, and as such lives within society dancing between the two roles since no viable alternate is available. A real commentary on how people, even in our own so-called "enlightened" times, still irrationally obsess in a judgmental way about sexual identity and preferences. Intriguing tale...
WINTER ON THE BELLE-FOURCHE by Neal Barrett, Jr.
A white American westerner in the nineteenth century talks tough as he tracks out the land in the wild cold but is sensitive to his adoptive environment and the natives dwelling there. Then comes a young white woman with a name we should all know. Their encounter provides us with an alternative explanation for her eventual greatness...
ENTER A SOLDIER. LATER: ENTER ANOTHER by Robert Silverberg
Two great figures from world history are recreated in essence on a miniature level for the hotshots in our future to study...how Genghis Khan and Socrates interact surprises all...
RELATIONSHIPS by Robert Sampson
A lonely middle-aged man, unlucky in love, one day discovers that he can recreate...temporarily...women from his past. Since they continue to reject him, this doesn't do him much good until...
Next week I conclude my look at the year 1989 in the subgenre of short science fiction...
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