Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2020 Book Review and Summary

Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2020

Author: Diana Gabaldon
Page Count: Unknown
Publication Year: 2020-GB

The Best of Science Fiction and Fantasy in One Breathtaking Anthology

Diana Gabaldon’s Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2020 is more than just a curated collection of stories—it’s a time capsule of the genre’s most daring and inventive voices, a testament to the enduring power of speculative fiction. As the editor of this year’s edition, Gabaldon—best known for her Outlander series—brings a sharp editorial eye and a deep appreciation for the craft of storytelling. This anthology doesn’t just showcase the best of the year; it redefines what science fiction and fantasy can be: thought-provoking, emotionally resonant, and unapologetically bold.

The central theme of this collection is transformation—not just in the traditional sense of characters evolving, but in how entire worlds, ideas, and even realities shift under pressure. Whether it’s a dystopian future where memory is a currency (“The Memory Police” by Rivers Solomon, with Daveed Diggs, William Hutson, and Jonathan Snipes) or a haunting tale of identity and grief (“A Song of Flight Before the Dark” by Alyssa Wong), each story interrogates what it means to change, to adapt, or to resist. Gabaldon’s selections highlight the genre’s ability to explore human nature through the lens of the impossible, offering stories that linger long after the last page.

One of the anthology’s strongest suits is its diversity of perspective. Gabaldon doesn’t just rely on established names; she elevates emerging writers whose work challenges conventional tropes. Take “The Book of How to Live” by Emily Tesh, a lyrical and unsettling exploration of immortality and the weight of knowledge. Or “The Pill” by Meg Elison, a brutal yet tender story about survival and bodily autonomy. These pieces prove that science fiction and fantasy aren’t just escapism—they’re essential tools for examining the world as it is, and as it could be.

Gabaldon’s editorial choices also reveal a fascination with the intersection of the personal and the cosmic. Many of the stories here are deeply intimate, even when they’re set against the backdrop of interstellar wars or apocalyptic events. “The House on the Moon” by Matthew Kressel, for instance, weaves a melancholic love story into a tale of lunar colonization, showing how grand sci-fi concepts can serve deeply human emotions. This balance between the sweeping and the personal is a hallmark of Gabaldon’s own writing, and it’s clear she seeks the same depth in the stories she champions.

The prose styles in this anthology vary wildly, from the poetic minimalism of “The Referendum” by Becky Chambers to the frenetic, almost cinematic energy of “The Blur in the Corner of Your Eye” by Sarah Pinsker. Gabaldon’s guidance ensures that each story feels distinct, yet they all share a commitment to emotional truth. Even the most far-fetched premises—like a world where time is a physical object (“Time and Time Again” by Brendan Detzner)—are grounded in relatable human struggles, whether that’s regret, love, or the fear of obsolescence.

One of the collection’s most striking themes is the fragility of systems—whether they’re political, technological, or societal. “The Truth About Owls” by Emma Törzs plays with the idea of surveillance and trust in a way that feels eerily prescient, while “The Archronology of Love” by Caroline M. Yoachim examines how love persists even when the world around it crumbles. These stories remind us that science fiction’s greatest strength lies in its ability to hold up a mirror to our own anxieties, even when it’s set in a galaxy far, far away.

Gabaldon’s introduction is a masterclass in editorial insight. She doesn’t just list the stories; she contextualizes them, drawing connections between seemingly disparate works and highlighting the ways they reflect the cultural moment. Her passion for the genre shines through, making this anthology feel less like a compilation and more like a conversation—one that invites readers to engage deeply with the ideas presented.

If there’s a criticism to be leveled, it’s that some stories might feel too niche for casual readers, particularly those unfamiliar with certain subgenres of SFF. But that’s also part of the anthology’s appeal—it refuses to pander or simplify. This is a book for true believers, for those who crave stories that challenge as much as they entertain.

In an era where the boundaries between science fiction, fantasy, and literary fiction continue to blur, Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2020 stands as a vital collection. It’s proof that the genre isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving, evolving, and refusing to be boxed in.

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