Gary K Wolfe
@garykwolfe.bsky.social
Critic, obsolete academic
It's been only a few years since we lost Patricia, and this is a good way of reminding ourselves just how important she was.
Check out as @garykwolfe reviews THE ESSENTIAL PATRICIA A. MCKILLIP by Patricia A. McKillip, calling it an “invitation to reconsider her work as even more varied, complex, and sharp-witted than we might have remembered.”
The Essential Patricia A. McKillip by Patricia A. McKillip: Review by Gary K. Wolfe
The Essential Patricia A. McKillip, Patricia A. McKillip (Tachyon 978-1-61696-448-1, $28.95, 320pp, hc) October 2025. Cover by Tom Canty. Fifty years ago, Patricia A. McKillip received the World Fa…
locusmag.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:46 AM
It's been only a few years since we lost Patricia, and this is a good way of reminding ourselves just how important she was.
Reposted by Gary K Wolfe
Check out as @garykwolfe reviews THE BEST AMERICAN SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY 2025 edited by @nnedi.bsky.social & @johnjosephadams.com
The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2025 edited by Nnedi Okorafor & John Joseph Adams: Review by Gary K. Wolfe
The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2025, Nnedi Okorafor & John Joseph Adams, eds. (Mariner 978-0-06344-147-7, $19.99, 416pp, tp) October 2025 Despite what some writers might suspect…
locusmag.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Check out as @garykwolfe reviews THE BEST AMERICAN SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY 2025 edited by @nnedi.bsky.social & @johnjosephadams.com
Reposted by Gary K Wolfe
“If NOT WHAT I INTENDED is any indication, that series is still in good hands.” @garykwolfe reviews new work from @nancykress
Not What I Intended by Nancy Kress: Review by Gary K. Wolfe
Not What I Intended, Nancy Kress (PM Press 978-8-88744-120-7, $16.00, 126pp, tp) October 2025. As I’ve mentioned in these pages before, PM Press’s Outspoken Authors series has, for more than 15 yea…
locusmag.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:00 AM
“If NOT WHAT I INTENDED is any indication, that series is still in good hands.” @garykwolfe reviews new work from @nancykress
Reposted by Gary K Wolfe
“SPACE SHIPS! RAY GUNS! MARTIAN OCTOPODS! has something of the feel of an archeological dig... for those interested in the granular details of writers who did, in fact, shape much of modern SF” @garykwolfe reviews work edited by Richard Wolinsky
Space Ships! Ray Guns! Martian Octopods! Interviews with Science Fiction Legends edited by Richard Wolinsky: Review by Gary K. Wolfe
Space Ships! Ray Guns! Martian Octopods! Interviews with Science Fiction Legends, Richard Wolinsky, ed. (Tachyon 978-1-61696-442-9, $17.95, 264pp, tp) September 2025. Between 1977 and 2000, radio …
locusmag.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:00 AM
“SPACE SHIPS! RAY GUNS! MARTIAN OCTOPODS! has something of the feel of an archeological dig... for those interested in the granular details of writers who did, in fact, shape much of modern SF” @garykwolfe reviews work edited by Richard Wolinsky
Kemi's one of the most promising younger writers, I think--and she knows a lot about the Permian extinction, as well.
Coode Street 686: Jonathan & Gary chat with Kemi Ashing-Giwa about The King Must Die, The Splinter in the Sky, and more.
jonathanstrahan.podbean.com/e/episode-68...
jonathanstrahan.podbean.com/e/episode-68...
Episode 686: Kemi Ashing-Giwa and The King Must Die | The Coode Street Podcast
Our guest this week is the remarkable Kemi Ashing-Giwa, whose new novel The King Must Die is out in November. We talk about science fantasy—or whether genre labels mean much at all to the new generati...
jonathanstrahan.podbean.com
October 19, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Kemi's one of the most promising younger writers, I think--and she knows a lot about the Permian extinction, as well.
Reposted by Gary K Wolfe
Check out @garykwolfe’s review of MAKING HISTORY by K.J. Parker: “we’re left enjoying another fine example Parker’s deep sense of irony and chronically untrustworthy characters.”
Making History by K.J. Parker: Review by Gary K. Wolfe
Making History, K.J. Parker (Tordotcom 978-1-250-83578-9, $18.99, 128pp, tp) September 2025. Much of the delight of K.J. Parker’s faux-historical fiction comes from the ingratiating and affable voi…
locusmag.com
October 17, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Check out @garykwolfe’s review of MAKING HISTORY by K.J. Parker: “we’re left enjoying another fine example Parker’s deep sense of irony and chronically untrustworthy characters.”
Alix takes some risks with this one, and as usual it pays off beautifully.
“With its looping timelines and parallel histories, THE EVERLASTING may be her most adventurous and most beautifully crafted novel to date.” @garykwolfe reviews work by @alixeharrow.bsky.social -
The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow: Review by Gary K. Wolfe
The Everlasting, Alix E. Harrow (Tor 978-1-250-79908-1, $29.99, 320pp, hc) October 2025. Maybe it’s a trend that’s been going on for a while and I’ve just begun to wake up to it, but an increasing …
locusmag.com
October 11, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Alix takes some risks with this one, and as usual it pays off beautifully.
A great chat with the always insightful Ken Liu.
Coode Street 686: Ken Liu, Technothrillers and AI Dreaming
jonathanstrahan.podbean.com/e/episode-68...
jonathanstrahan.podbean.com/e/episode-68...
Episode 686: Ken Liu, Technothrillers and AI Dreaming | The Coode Street Podcast
This week we have a lively conversation with the remarkable Ken Liu, whose new thriller All That We See or Seem introduces a new protagonist, the gifted hacker Julia Z, in a tale that explores the gro...
jonathanstrahan.podbean.com
October 5, 2025 at 3:00 AM
A great chat with the always insightful Ken Liu.
Reposted by Gary K Wolfe
“That rare balance of wit and genuine dread has become one of Kingfisher’s most distinctive trademarks, and HEMLOCK & SILVER is another fine example of what her devoted horde of followers cherish in her work.” @garykwolfe reviews new work from @UrsulaV
Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher: Review by Gary K. Wolfe
Hemlock & Silver, T. Kingfisher (Tor 978-1-25034-203-4, $28.99, 368pp, hc) August 2025. Like many writers of her generation – and for that matter, several generations before her – T. Kingfisher…
locusmag.com
September 16, 2025 at 1:00 AM
“That rare balance of wit and genuine dread has become one of Kingfisher’s most distinctive trademarks, and HEMLOCK & SILVER is another fine example of what her devoted horde of followers cherish in her work.” @garykwolfe reviews new work from @UrsulaV
I think we were both missing Quinn, even though it had been years since either of us chatted with her.
Coode St Episode 685: Chelsea Quinn Yarbro and the Anthropic AI case www.podbean.com/eas/pb-zsurf...
Episode 685: Chelsea Quinn Yarbro and the Anthropic AI case
In a rare shorter episode, we chat about the late and much missed Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, with whom Jonathan and Gary had strangely similar encounters some years ago, and her early career as an SF write...
www.podbean.com
September 7, 2025 at 10:43 PM
I think we were both missing Quinn, even though it had been years since either of us chatted with her.
Despite its apparently cozy trappings, this one also has political teeth, set in a future San Francisco newly liberated from--well, wait and see.
“The future in AUTOMATIC NOODLE may not be a particularly friendly or hopeful one, but the restaurant that gives the novella its title certainly seems to be a kind of haven.” @garykwolfe reviews @annaleen.bsky.social
Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz: Review by Gary K. Wolfe
Automatic Noodle, Annalee Newitz (Tordotcom 9781250357465, $24.99, 176pp, hc) August 2025. I pretend no expertise at all on the current spate of cozy SF and fantasy novels, except to note that, al…
locusmag.com
August 30, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Despite its apparently cozy trappings, this one also has political teeth, set in a future San Francisco newly liberated from--well, wait and see.
Reposted by Gary K Wolfe
And finally! I saw the print version of @locusmag.bsky.social's wonderful review of Lessons (by the always fantastic @garykwolfe.bsky.social) a while ago, but now it's online and worth reading. It's so thoughtful and erudite:
locusmag.com/2025/08/less...
locusmag.com/2025/08/less...
August 25, 2025 at 6:11 PM
And finally! I saw the print version of @locusmag.bsky.social's wonderful review of Lessons (by the always fantastic @garykwolfe.bsky.social) a while ago, but now it's online and worth reading. It's so thoughtful and erudite:
locusmag.com/2025/08/less...
locusmag.com/2025/08/less...
Back in the saddle.
August 24, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Back in the saddle.
Reposted by Gary K Wolfe
The Outspoken & Incendiary: Interviews with Radical Science Fiction Writers @nisishawl.bsky.social @eileengunn.bsky.social @garykwolfe.bsky.social
August 15, 2025 at 5:40 PM
The Outspoken & Incendiary: Interviews with Radical Science Fiction Writers @nisishawl.bsky.social @eileengunn.bsky.social @garykwolfe.bsky.social
Reposted by Gary K Wolfe
Coode Street 683: China Mieville joins Gary Wolfe and Jonathan Strahan to discuss Perdido Street Station and 25 Years of Bas Lag
www.podbean.com/eas/pb-5dr4d...
www.podbean.com/eas/pb-5dr4d...
Episode 683: China Mieville and 25 Years of Bas Lag
Twenty five years ago China Mieville's second novel, Perdido Street Station, introduced the world to the fantastical city of Bas Lag. It went on to win the Arthur C Clarke and British Fantasy awards, ...
www.podbean.com
August 12, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Coode Street 683: China Mieville joins Gary Wolfe and Jonathan Strahan to discuss Perdido Street Station and 25 Years of Bas Lag
www.podbean.com/eas/pb-5dr4d...
www.podbean.com/eas/pb-5dr4d...
Reposted by Gary K Wolfe
“A rich combination of dream vision, acerbic satire, intellectual playfulness, and human drama, KATABASIS should more than satisfy...” @garykwolfe reviews new work from R.F. Kuang locusmag.com/2025/08...
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang: Review by Gary K. Wolfe
Katabasis, R.F. Kuang (Harper Voyager 978-0063021471, $35.00, 560pp, hc) August 2025. Several weeks ago, on the fivebooks.com website, Lev Grossman was asked about Dark Academia, which, he quite co…
locusmag.com
August 6, 2025 at 2:00 AM
“A rich combination of dream vision, acerbic satire, intellectual playfulness, and human drama, KATABASIS should more than satisfy...” @garykwolfe reviews new work from R.F. Kuang locusmag.com/2025/08...
Reposted by Gary K Wolfe
Ran errands this morning listening to @jonathanstrahan.bsky.social and @garykwolfe.bsky.social chat with @charliejane.bsky.social and @annaleen.bsky.social about their latest books — which kinda made me feel as if @seattlein2025.org had already begun! jonathanstrahan.podbean.com/e/episode-68...
Episode 682: Charlie Jane Anders and Annalee Newitz | The Coode Street Podcast
In this week’s episode, we’re joined by two of our most exciting writers, each of whom has a new book out in August. Charlie Jane Anders’ Lessons in Magic and Disaster offers a wonderful combination o...
jonathanstrahan.podbean.com
August 5, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Ran errands this morning listening to @jonathanstrahan.bsky.social and @garykwolfe.bsky.social chat with @charliejane.bsky.social and @annaleen.bsky.social about their latest books — which kinda made me feel as if @seattlein2025.org had already begun! jonathanstrahan.podbean.com/e/episode-68...
Reposted by Gary K Wolfe
Coode St 682: Gary and Jonathan talk to Charlie Jane Anders and Annalee Newitz about Lessons in Magic and Disaster and Automatic Noodle.
Episode 682: Charlie Jane Anders and Annalee Newitz | The Coode Street Podcast
In this week’s episode, we’re joined by two of our most exciting writers, each of whom has a new book out in August. Charlie Jane Anders’ Lessons in Magic and Disaster offers a wonderful combination o...
jonathanstrahan.podbean.com
July 29, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Coode St 682: Gary and Jonathan talk to Charlie Jane Anders and Annalee Newitz about Lessons in Magic and Disaster and Automatic Noodle.
Reposted by Gary K Wolfe
Check out @garykwolfe’s review of THE BEWITCHING by @silviamg.bsky.social: “Moreno-Garcia’s skill at precisely evoking par¬ticular times and places serves her especially well in balancing these three narrative lines” locusmag.com/2025/07...
The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia: Review by Gary K. Wolfe
The Bewitching, Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Del Rey 978-0-59387-432-5, $29.00, 368pp, hc) July 2025. From early in her career, Silvia Moreno-Garcia has shown an almost scholarly interest not only in Mex…
locusmag.com
July 24, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Check out @garykwolfe’s review of THE BEWITCHING by @silviamg.bsky.social: “Moreno-Garcia’s skill at precisely evoking par¬ticular times and places serves her especially well in balancing these three narrative lines” locusmag.com/2025/07...
Reposted by Gary K Wolfe
“IF WISHES WERE RETAIL, for all its cozy-fantasy trappings and screwball-comedy antics, actually has something sharp to say about many of the real contradictions inherent in American capitalism.” @garykwolfe reviews @aahabershaw.bsky.social locusmag.com/2025/07...
If Wishes Were Retail by Auston Habershaw: Review by Gary K. Wolfe
If Wishes Were Retail, Auston Habershaw (Tachyon 978-1-61696-434-4, $16.95, 272pp, tp) June 2025. Even though they’ve been around for centuries in complex ways, djinns have in the past few decades …
locusmag.com
July 17, 2025 at 1:00 AM
“IF WISHES WERE RETAIL, for all its cozy-fantasy trappings and screwball-comedy antics, actually has something sharp to say about many of the real contradictions inherent in American capitalism.” @garykwolfe reviews @aahabershaw.bsky.social locusmag.com/2025/07...
Silvia's new novel is a delight, and we're glad to have her back on the podcast.
July 6, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Silvia's new novel is a delight, and we're glad to have her back on the podcast.
It's just us again this time, but at least we talk about some interesting folks.
Coode St 680: Talking science fiction
Gary and Jonathan chat about awards, new books, Kemi Ashwing-Giwa, Murderbot and more.
Gary and Jonathan chat about awards, new books, Kemi Ashwing-Giwa, Murderbot and more.
Episode 680: Talking science fiction
Even though we know that some past episodes have probably spent too much time talking about awards, our latest chat begins with some thoughts on—well, awards. With Nebulas, Hugos, Shirley Jackson, Ign...
www.podbean.com
June 16, 2025 at 9:59 PM
It's just us again this time, but at least we talk about some interesting folks.
Reposted by Gary K Wolfe
“In a career of barely a decade, Premee Mohamed has emerged as one of the more adventurous new voices in SFF, both in terms of genre and form…” @garykwolfe’s reviews ONE MESSAGE REMAINS by @premeemohamed.com - locusmag.com/2025/06...
One Message Remains by Premee Mohamed: Review by Gary K. Wolfe
One Message Remains, Premee Mohamed (Psychopomp 979-8-89115-010-1, $19.99, 205pp, tp) February 2025. In a career of barely a decade, Premee Mohamed has emerged as one of the more adventurous new v…
locusmag.com
June 4, 2025 at 7:00 PM
“In a career of barely a decade, Premee Mohamed has emerged as one of the more adventurous new voices in SFF, both in terms of genre and form…” @garykwolfe’s reviews ONE MESSAGE REMAINS by @premeemohamed.com - locusmag.com/2025/06...
Reposted by Gary K Wolfe
We have locked in some special events for the Locus Awards! Tune in to The Plot Thickens: A Conversation with the Locus Awards Guests, a panel moderated by our reviewer @GaryKWolfe!
Buy tickets in bio or here: locusmag.com/2025-lo...
@tochitruestory @sarahgailey @kashinggiwa
Buy tickets in bio or here: locusmag.com/2025-lo...
@tochitruestory @sarahgailey @kashinggiwa
June 2, 2025 at 10:26 PM
We have locked in some special events for the Locus Awards! Tune in to The Plot Thickens: A Conversation with the Locus Awards Guests, a panel moderated by our reviewer @GaryKWolfe!
Buy tickets in bio or here: locusmag.com/2025-lo...
@tochitruestory @sarahgailey @kashinggiwa
Buy tickets in bio or here: locusmag.com/2025-lo...
@tochitruestory @sarahgailey @kashinggiwa
Reposted by Gary K Wolfe
Coode Street 679: Guy Gavriel Kay and Written on the Dark
This week we talk to @guygavrielkay.bsky.social about his new novel, Written on the Dark, and much more!
www.podbean.com/eas/pb-e4t2w...
This week we talk to @guygavrielkay.bsky.social about his new novel, Written on the Dark, and much more!
www.podbean.com/eas/pb-e4t2w...
Episode 679: Guy Gavriel Kay and Written on the Dark
This week we are joined by an old friend of the podcast, the distinguished Canadian novelist Guy Gavriel Kay, whose wonderful new novel Written on the Dark is out this month.
As always, we not only to...
www.podbean.com
June 2, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Coode Street 679: Guy Gavriel Kay and Written on the Dark
This week we talk to @guygavrielkay.bsky.social about his new novel, Written on the Dark, and much more!
www.podbean.com/eas/pb-e4t2w...
This week we talk to @guygavrielkay.bsky.social about his new novel, Written on the Dark, and much more!
www.podbean.com/eas/pb-e4t2w...