In Dreams Awake by Leslie A. Fiedler

In Dreams Awake Reviews

• 
  Stephen

  Although I would maybe recommend a different collection for a first reader of sf, this is a very interesting anthology with a strong critical voice rounding out the stories.
  
  The caution comes from Fiedler's critical focus on thematic representation of each "age" of science fiction, rather than just picking "the best" - hence, one might get the wrong impression of an author or even an entire few decades, if this was the first exposure. I think Ursula Le Guin (RIP) is especially poorly represented here, which is unfortunate given her titanic status in the genre. And the "new wave" section overall is a mixed effort, but as Fiedler points out, there was a lot of "new" techniques from older mainstream fiction brought in, so no surprise if it doesn't age well.
  
  Four stars, solid and well recommended as an interesting step in a sf reading plan.
• 
  Betta

  I read this one slowly but gathered steam as I went along. I had read many of these stories long, long ago, as they are sci-fi standards. But a few of them I had missed along the way. From H.G. Wells and Edgar Allan Poe to Harlan Ellison and Arthur C. Clarke...guaranteed to provide a reliable tidbit of vintage (and antique!) science fiction insight. Sometimes the stories seem formulaic, but then again, there are only so many formulae out there in the science fiction of the past. It really was an enjoyable read that reminds me that the older sci-fi idea sparks are still relevant today.