THE YEAR'S BEST FANTASY AND HORROR

Datlow and Windling's definitive collection of short fantasy and horror fiction enters its eighth year (1994) with a veritable feast of stories, poems, and commentary on the genres they cover: 53 pieces in all. Contributors of notable stories include Patricia A. McKillip, Jonathan Carroll, Joyce Carol Oates, Jane Yolen, Charles Grant, Ray Bradbury, Delia Sherman, Stephen King, Nancy Kress, Bradley Denton, Charles de Lint, Harlan Ellison, Judith Tarr, and Neil Gaiman. The editors also include four poems (one by Yolen), and Michael Swanwick's thought-provoking essay, ``In the Tradition,'' which attempts to lay the foundations of a taxonomy of present-day fantasy. In addition, there are excellent summaries of the year's trends and events by both editors (Datlow on horror, Windling on fantasy); a summary of film and TV by Edward Bryant; a comics summary by Emma Bull and Will Shetterly; and a list of honorable mentions that must include every significant piece of fantasy and horror published last year. Any reader who cares about short work in these two genres will here find a rich sample of the best.