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General => The Superdeep Borehole => Topic started by: Eric P on August 12, 2008, 08:51:43 AM

Title: Chabon wins Hugo
Post by: Eric P on August 12, 2008, 08:51:43 AM
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/aug/12/sciencefictionfantasyandhorror.awardsandprizes

Yiddish Policemen triumph at Hugo awards

Michael Chabon scooped the best novel prize at the Hugo awards this weekend for his alternate Jewish history, The Yiddish Policemen's Union. Chabon beat British science fiction authors Charles Stross and Ian McDonald to take the prize, which is voted for by fans.

The win marks Chabon's second science fiction prize this year and sees him join a roster of former winners including Isaac Asimov, Arthur C Clarke and Ray Bradbury.

In April The Yiddish Policemen's Union - which takes as its premise Franklin Roosevelt's proposition that Alaska, rather than Israel, becomes the homeland for the Jews after the Second World War - was named best novel at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America's Nebula Awards. Some bloggers questioned a work of alternate history winning science fiction's most coveted prize, but Chabon told an interviewer in America that science fiction had "porous" boundaries, and that "there is definitely room in it for a work of alternate history". The award was collected on his behalf by fantasy author George RR Martin.

Ted Chiang's medieval Baghdad-set The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate picked up the best novelette award, while a comic festive story in which aliens land on earth but prove difficult to coax into action took the best novella award. All Seated on the Ground is by multiple Hugo award winner Connie Willis.

Jeff Prucher won best related book for his dictionary of science fiction Brave New Words, a window on the genre which shows how science fiction words have developed over time, including how words such as spacesuit, blast off and robot have their roots in literature rather than hard science. Prucher said he was "deeply honoured" to receive the award.

Elizabeth Bear's short story Tideline, in which a sentient war machine is the only survivor of a war, took the short story gong, while short story writer and professional puppeteer Mary Robinette Kowal was named winner of the John W Campbell award for best new writer.
Title: Re: Chabon wins Hugo
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on August 12, 2008, 03:13:22 PM
I guess that will look nice next to his Pulitzer :lol

Coen Bros are adapting The Yiddish Policemen's Union, best picture 2010 lock, seems so

I predicted Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate would win the Hugo and/or Nebula right after reading it--it won both. Just another example of Patel being right all the time.

http://www.sfsite.com/fsf/fiction/tc01.htm
Title: Re: Chabon wins Hugo
Post by: Eric P on August 12, 2008, 03:20:42 PM
hey, maybe now the literary establishment will look upon genre fiction with a degree of respect instead of snubbing it because they have fallen victim to marketing conventions
Title: Re: Chabon wins Hugo
Post by: Phoenix Dark on August 12, 2008, 03:27:44 PM
Quote
In April The Yiddish Policemen's Union - which takes as its premise Franklin Roosevelt's proposition that Alaska, rather than Israel, becomes the homeland for the Jews after the Second World War - was named best novel at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America's Nebula Awards. Some bloggers questioned a work of alternate history winning science fiction's most coveted prize, but Chabon told an interviewer in America that science fiction had "porous" boundaries, and that "there is definitely room in it for a work of alternate history". The award was collected on his behalf by fantasy author George RR Martin.

who should have beat out JK Rowling in 2001. I love Potter but Storm of Swords>>>>>>>Goblet of Fire

anyway this book sounds very interesting. I liked The Big Sleep, I'm definitely going to check this out
Title: Re: Chabon wins Hugo
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on August 12, 2008, 03:40:44 PM
hey, maybe now the literary establishment will look upon genre fiction with a degree of respect instead of snubbing it because they have fallen victim to marketing conventions

And then hopefully the same thing can happen in film.

Is this Chabon fellow any good?

they usually don't give Pulitzers to hacks

I always found it hilarious that Chabon's first public appearance after winning the Pulitzer was ... at Comicon.
Title: Re: Chabon wins Hugo
Post by: Eric P on August 12, 2008, 03:47:33 PM
hey, maybe now the literary establishment will look upon genre fiction with a degree of respect instead of snubbing it because they have fallen victim to marketing conventions

And then hopefully the same thing can happen in film.

Is this Chabon fellow any good?

they usually don't give Pulitzers to hacks

I always found it hilarious that Chabon's first public appearance after winning the Pulitzer was ... at Comicon.

they did give the hugo to hitler though
Title: Re: Chabon wins Hugo
Post by: Eric P on August 12, 2008, 03:49:00 PM
also

Quote
Some bloggers questioned a work of alternate history winning science fiction's most coveted prize, but Chabon told an interviewer in America that science fiction had "porous" boundaries, and that "there is definitely room in it for a work of alternate history".

Man in the High Castle, you cunts.
Title: Re: Chabon wins Hugo
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on August 12, 2008, 04:07:32 PM
also

Quote
Some bloggers questioned a work of alternate history winning science fiction's most coveted prize, but Chabon told an interviewer in America that science fiction had "porous" boundaries, and that "there is definitely room in it for a work of alternate history".

Man in the High Castle, you cunts.

WON'T SOMEBODY THINK OF THE LASERS
Title: Re: Chabon wins Hugo
Post by: Eric P on August 12, 2008, 04:09:05 PM
also

Quote
Some bloggers questioned a work of alternate history winning science fiction's most coveted prize, but Chabon told an interviewer in America that science fiction had "porous" boundaries, and that "there is definitely room in it for a work of alternate history".

Man in the High Castle, you cunts.

WON'T SOMEBODY THINK OF THE LASERS

we're not talking harry turtledove here.

Quote
I know there are a few aspiring writers on this forum. Do any of you guys ever feel like you could write something that would be critically acclaimed?

yes
Title: Re: Chabon wins Hugo
Post by: Mr. Gundam on August 12, 2008, 04:10:58 PM
I've been wanting to read Yiddish Policemen for a while now, might as well pick it up today.
Title: Re: Chabon wins Hugo
Post by: CajoleJuice on August 12, 2008, 05:34:22 PM
I almost picked it up a while back, but I already have a reading backlog. :(
Title: Re: Chabon wins Hugo
Post by: The Fake Shemp on August 12, 2008, 05:37:01 PM
I haven't read it, yet.  Chabon rocks.  His Escapist stuff is good shit too.

Go Jews :rock

I like to write.  I think I could write something entertaining perhaps, but I'm not egotistical enough to think it'd be critically acclaimed or widely enjoyed.
Title: Re: Chabon wins Hugo
Post by: Eric P on August 12, 2008, 05:58:57 PM
I haven't read it, yet.  Chabon rocks.  His Escapist stuff is good shit too.

Go Jews :rock

I like to write.  I think I could write something entertaining perhaps, but I'm not egotistical enough to think it'd be critically acclaimed or widely enjoyed.

write about food

then fat people will like it

then you'll be widely enjoyed
Title: Re: Chabon wins Hugo
Post by: Joe Molotov on August 12, 2008, 06:24:07 PM
hey, maybe now the literary establishment will look upon genre fiction with a degree of respect instead of snubbing it because they have fallen victim to marketing conventions

And then hopefully the same thing can happen in film.

Is this Chabon fellow any good?

they usually don't give Pulitzers to hacks

I always found it hilarious that Chabon's first public appearance after winning the Pulitzer was ... at Comicon.

they did give the hugo to hitler though

The Iron Dream :rock