Strange Horizons

In this episode of Critical Friends, the Strange Horizons criticism podcast, Dan Hartland is joined by Ryan Elliott and Roseanna Pendlebury, who have both recently reviewed works for us of speculative fiction now shortlisted for the Booker Prize.

What do mean when we say something is “literary”? How do we know it when we see it … and what is it good for?

Ryan's review of The End of Everything by M. John Harrison

Roseanna's review of May We Feed the King by Rebecca Perry

In this episode of Critical Friends, the Strange Horizons SFF criticism podcast, A. J Odasso and Electra Pritchett join Dan Hartland to talk about popular fiction. Science fiction and fantasy has a long and complex relationship with questions of popular culture. Where does this stand today?
So often ignored or derided by so-called higher culture, how should critics approach it? And where should we situate it in our readings?
A. J.'s review of The Vampire Lestat
Electra's review of The Icarus Coda by Timothy Zahn

In this episode of Critical Friends, the Strange Horizons SFF criticism podcast, Amritesh Mukherjee and Abigail Nussbaum join Dan Hartland to talk about literary awards. Discussions and debates about awards shortlists often seem to be a point of gravity in broader critical discussions, and can even affect how individual reviews get commissioned and written.
How do and how should critics interact with awards? What are they for? And do critics spend too much time thinking about them?
Amritesh's review of Mad Sisters of Esi by Tashan Mehta.
Abigail's review of Angel Down by Daniel Kraus.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons Fiction podcast, editor Michael Ireland presents "Because I Held His Name Like a Key" by Aimee Ogden, read by Jenna Hanchey
You can read the full text of the story, and more about Louis Inglis Hall ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠
Content Warnings:
Disregard for personal autonomy
Drug use
Sex
Rape/sexual assault
Suicide

In this episode of Critical Friends, the Strange Horizons SFF criticism podcast, Dean Leetal and William Shaw join Dan Hartland to talk about reading queerly: How do, should, and can reviewers and critics interested in LGBTQ+ people and their representation approach texts both avowedly queer and apparently heteronormative?
Dean's review of Charmed and Dangerous by Shelly Page
Will's review of Dead Boys in Space by Sara Youngblood Gregory