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Reviews in Project: Judith Merril’s The Year’s Greatest Science Fiction and Fantasy (7)

Somewhere in the Past

The 7th Annual of the Year’s Best S‑F  (The Year’s Best S‑F, volume 7)

 Edited by Judith Merril 

5 Sep, 2023

Judith Merril’s The Year’s Greatest Science Fiction and Fantasy

8 comments

1962’s The 7th Annual of the Year’s Best S‑F is the seventh volume in Judith Merril’s Best of Sci-Fi anthology series. The anthology was also published under the counter-intuitive title The Best of Sci-Fi — Two.

Annuals generally limit themselves to the previous twelve months, which can be spread over two calendar years. Merril collected stories from as early as 1949, thirteen years before 1962. What other surprises wait within the covers of this surprisingly hefty tome?

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The Road is Long

6th Annual Edition: The Year’s Best S‑F  (The Year’s Best S‑F, volume 6)

 Edited by Judith Merril 

1 Aug, 2023

Judith Merril’s The Year’s Greatest Science Fiction and Fantasy

7 comments

1961’s 6th Annual Edition: The Year’s Best S‑F (also published as The 6th Annual of the Year’s Best S‑F and as The Best of Sci-Fi) is the sixth annual anthology in Judith Merril’s The Year’s Best S‑F series. The stories included were first published in 1960 and 1961.

Alas, every series has its duds and volume six appears to be the dud in this series.

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Not Promised Tomorrow

The Year’s Best S‑F: 5th Annual Edition  (The Year’s Best S‑F, volume 5)

 Edited by Judith Merril 

4 Jul, 2023

Judith Merril’s The Year’s Greatest Science Fiction and Fantasy

17 comments

1960’s The Year’s Best S‑F: 5th Annual Edition (also published as The 5th Annual of the Year’s Best S‑F and as The Best of Sci-Fi 5) is the fifth volume in Judith Merril’s The Year’s Best SF anthology series. This volume draws on science fiction published in 1959 and 1960.

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All I Wanna Do

SF: The Year’s Greatest Science Fiction and Fantasy: 4th Annual Volume  (The Year’s Greatest Science Fiction and Fantasy, volume 4)

 Edited by Judith Merril 

8 Jun, 2023

Judith Merril’s The Year’s Greatest Science Fiction and Fantasy

8 comments

1959’s SF: The Year’s Greatest Science Fiction and Fantasy: 4th Annual Volume (also published as SF:’59: The Year’s Greatest Science-Fiction and Fantasy) is the fourth volume in Judith Merril’s The Year’s Best SF anthology series. It collects the best short fiction, essays and associated poetry from 1958.

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Tomorrow’s a Mystery

SF: The Year’s Greatest Science-Fiction and Fantasy: Third Annual Volume  (The Year’s Best SF, volume 3)

 Edited by Judith Merril 

2 May, 2023

Judith Merril’s The Year’s Greatest Science Fiction and Fantasy

10 comments

1958’s SF: The Year’s Greatest Science-Fiction and Fantasy: Third Annual Volume is the third volume in Judith Merril’s The Year’s Best SF anthology series. The previous two volumes were reviewed here and here. You may note that Merril was not entirely consistent with her naming conventions. In fact, I have for reasons of clarity taken liberties with the title because, as discerning readers will have noticed, the paperback in hand does not mention that this is the third anthology in this series. Also missing is any hint as to the year for which this is the best. 1957, which as it happens was somewhat of a turning point in American history.

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Burn So Bright

SF: The Year’s Greatest Science-Fiction and Fantasy Second Annual Volume  (The Year’s Best S‑F, volume 2)

 Edited by Judith Merril 

4 Apr, 2023

Judith Merril’s The Year’s Greatest Science Fiction and Fantasy

1 comment

1957’s SF: The Year’s Greatest Science-Fiction and Fantasy Second Annual Volume (also published as SF:’57: The Year’s Greatest Science Fiction and Fantasy) is the second volume in Judith Merril’s The Year’s Best S‑F series of science fiction anthologies.

As one might guess from the title, the book contains Merril’s selection of the best science fiction and fantasy. I note that while one version of the book’s cover was emblazoned with great big 1957, the stories within are from 1956. Which might be confusing.

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