In a time when access to books was limited by geographical barriers, Gardner Dozois describes his childhood experiences in Salem, Massachusetts during the 1950s. He recalls that if one wished to acquire a book, they had no local options; instead, it required traveling by train to Boston. Once there, even more specifically for science fiction enthusiasts like himself, finding books within their preferred genre was challenging as these works were not segregated into distinct sections in the bookstores.
The quote highlights how much has changed in terms of accessibility and categorization of literature over time. In Dozois's youth, genres such as science fiction had yet to gain mainstream recognition or commercial space allocation in major bookstores. This statement underscores a historical shift in how society perceives and distributes different types of literature. It also reflects the growing importance and popularity of niche literary categories, particularly science fiction, which has since become a widely recognized genre with its own dedicated sections in bookstores around the world.
Gardner Dozois is an acclaimed American author and editor known for his significant contributions to science fiction literature. He played a pivotal role in shaping the genre through his work on "The Year's Best Science Fiction" anthology series, where he served as the main editor for over two decades. His influence extends beyond editing; he has also published numerous short stories and novels, contributing richly to the field of speculative fiction.
