The Last Dangerous Visions

J. Michael Straczynski, close friend of Ellison (1934–2018) and the executor of his estate, honors his commitment to publish the brilliant third and final Dangerous Visions anthology, a stellar assembly of impressive talent which fulfills the series’ mandate to present “cutting-edge stories that spoke to our humanity in all its flaws, faults, and glories.” These 32 tales come from both big names—including James S.A. Corey and David Brin—and relative unknowns. Standouts include Stephen Robinett’s chilling “Assignment No. 1,” an all-too-plausible exploration of how elder care might be handled in the future. In Cecil Castellucci’s “After Taste,” an interstellar foodie’s visit to another species to assess their cuisine lands her in an unexpected dilemma that will remind readers of an emotionally complex Twilight Zone episode. Dan Simmons’s gut-wrenching “The Final Pogrom” opens with the line, “The IBM, Honeywell, and other advanced computers were immensely useful in the final roundup of the Jews,” before detailing how technological advances can continue to be harnessed in support of humanity’s worst aspects. The tales are bookended by Straczynski’s essays describing his relationship with Ellison and the process of selecting what has been included in this volume, which was initially scheduled to appear in 1974. The result is a must-read for genre fans. (Oct.)