Maxima Library

Li Lixia is one of eight field anthropologists set down on Sigma Draconis II after the first starship from Earth detects pre-industrial intelligent life there. She experiences several of the cultures of the humanoid people of the planet as she travels with Nia, a female exile of the Iron People. Arnason introduces Nia and her way of life, then brings in Lixia and, gradually, includes others of the starship’s exploratory team. While removed from the starship, the anthropologists remain in contact with it as they all struggle with the question of whether their active intervention will help or harm those whom they encounter. As in life, no clear answers are offered.

Nominated for John W. Campbell Memorial Award in 1992.

En el siglo XXII, la humanidad lleva cuarenta años enfrentada a los “hwarhath”, unos extraños humanoides alienígenas con una organización social y sexual que abomina la heterosexualidad y que resulta, sin ninguna duda, bastante distinta de la humana.

Para llevar a cabo las primeras negociaciones diplomáticas entre humanos y “hwarhath”, se elige como sede un pequeño planeta de poca importancia donde la bióloga Anna Pérez se ocupa de estudiar la posible inteligencia de unas extrañas medusas. Anna será la única mujer involucrada, muy a su pesar, en una complejas negociaciones. En ellas conocerá a Nicholas Sanders, el único humano (¿un traidor?) que lleva veinte años viviendo y cooperando con los hwarhath, con uno de cuyos lideres parece mantener relaciones sexuales estables.

Una interesante y amena especulación en torno al sexo y a las relaciones hetero y homosexuales en dos culturas diferentes y enfrentadas. Una lograda especulación con la amena trama de una novela de aventuras y el sabor inconfundible de un libro de tesis.

È il problema più Delicato che lei abbai mai dovuto affrontare: da una parte la vecchia Terra e dall’altra un Mondo Vergine, una civiltà enigmatica, aliena oltre i limiti. L’ambasciatrice è sola e deve Decidere. Forse contro di loro, forse contro se stessa.

Contents

“Introduction: Return to Venusport,” by Gardner Dozois. Copyright © 2015 by Gardner Dozois.

“Frogheads,” by Allen M. Steele. Copyright © 2015 by Allen M. Steele.

“The Drowned Celestial,” by Lavie Tidhar. Copyright © 2015 by Lavie Tidhar.

“Planet of Fear,” by Paul McAuley. Copyright © 2015 by Paul McAuley.

“Greeves and the Evening Star,” by Matthew Hughes. Copyright © 2015 by Matthew Hughes.

“A Planet Called Desire,” by Gwyneth Jones. Copyright © 2015 by Gwyneth Jones.

“Living Hell,” by Joe Haldeman. Copyright © 2015 by Joe Haldeman.

“Bones of Air, Bones of Stone,” by Stephen Leigh. Copyright © 2015 by Stephen Leigh.

“Ruins,” by Eleanor Arnason. Copyright © 2015 by Eleanor Arnason.

“The Tumbledowns of Cleopatra Abyss,” by David Brin. Copyright © 2015 by David Brin.

“By Frogsled and Lizardback to Outcast Venusian Lepers,” by Garth Nix. Copyright © 2015 by Garth Nix.

“The Sunset of Time,” by Michael Cassutt. Copyright © 2015 by Michael Cassutt.

“Pale Blue Memories,” by Tobias S. Buckell. Copyright © 2015 by Tobias S. Buckell.

“The Heart’s Filthy Lesson,” by Elizabeth Bear. Copyright © 2015 by Sarah Wishnevsky.

“The Wizard of the Trees,” by Joe R. Lansdale. Copyright © 2015 by Joe R. Lansdale.

“The Godstone of Venus,” by Mike Resnick. Copyright © 2015 by Kirinyaga Inc.

“Botanica Veneris: Thirteen Papercuts by Ida Countess Rathangan,” by Ian McDonald. Copyright © 2015 by Ian McDonald.

Un’epoca lontana, Un Mondo profondamente diverso dal nostro tranne che per un particolare: le Donne devono lottare per la salvezza loro e del pianeta. È una razza che sembra schiava di abitudini Sessuali molto particolari… Da Eleanor Arnason, che è stratadefinita la "Ursula Le Guin" degli anni novanta.

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: Thirtieth Annual Collection the very best SF authors explore ideas of a new world through their short stories. 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.

The multiple Locus Award-winning annual compilation of the year’s best science fiction stories.

The multiple Locus Award-winning annual collection of the year’s best science fiction stories.

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: Thirty-Fifth 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. 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.