Ionospherics 96

I read a story by Alan Dean Foster in a recent issue of Fantasy and Science Fiction (well, perhaps not so recent since I have a huge backlog of reading) and I was intrigued by an apology by Gordon Van Gelder (the editor of F&SF) to the effect that the story wasn't perhaps SF/F or may not be considered speculative enough for the magazine by its usual readership.

Far from it, Gordon. Said story may indeed be considered mainstream. But it is still speculative, even if in only a small way. That small piece of speculation (I recommend you read "The Last Akialoa" if you can get hold of a copy of the magazine) is enough to force the whole story into the realms of "What If". And that's all that's required, if you ask me. In all areas, SF, F, H — whatever genre you care to name within the speculative field — if the story asks the question (even if in a roundabout way), then it qualifies. Indeed, I'll go as far as to say that a if a story is both speculative and possible then the reading of it allows a wonderful suspension of disbelief, and makes the story all the better.

What do you think?

Ooroo for now,

Nuke.

PS: You'll find the story in question in the December 2005 Issue of F&SF.