FULL SPECTRUM 4

Another noteworthy entry in this laudable series of original anthologies, this one comprising 19 stories—one a translation from the French—and a poem from Ursula K. LeGuin. Best of the bunch: a splendid discourse on the enigmas of alien communication (John M. Landsberg); aliens, beauty, and art, in a striking combination (Ray Aldridge); a waggish and touching yarn featuring another story's minor characters (Martha Soukup); Andean saints and magic realism (Bonita Kale); brooding, provocative thoughts on aliens and alienation (Mark Rich); and, amusing and telling, a man who wakes up dead (Nancy Kress). Also worthwhile, if less remarkable by comparison: hermaphrodites, women warriors, alien artifacts, memory, magic, growing up, computers and paranoia, god and guilt, a deal with the devil, Mars, black holes, and Africa. High standards maintained: the fourth in this series is as thematically diverse, well crafted, and imaginative as ever.