Author: C. J. Cherryh
First Publication: The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, October 1978
Awards: 1979 Best Short Story Hugo Award,
1979 Best Short Story Locus Award, Nominee for 1979 Best Short Story Nebula AwardCover Artists: (1) Michael Whelan for "The Collected Short Stories of C. J. Cherryh", (2) David Hardy for "The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction"
Back in my early days of reading the science fiction magazines, I was always excited to pick up the anniversary issues of "The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction". The 29th anniversary special was one of the best. In addition to Cherryh's "Cassandra", it also contained stories by Thomas M Disch, Stephen King (the first appearance of "The Gunslinger"), Terry Carr, and a classic by Michael Bishop ("Effigies"). Going up against tough competition, Cherryh managed to win the Best Short Story Hugo.
I hate to say much more than what was revealed in the quote from Bob Sabella's "Visions of Paradise" blog. He did a perfect summary of this moving story. From the tone of the story, the reader knows that this tale will not end well. Cherryh does a great job of tapping in to the emotions and thoughts of someone with a talent that can be a gift and a curse at the same time. It has appeared in many collections. If you have not read it, I suggest hunting it down. It was only the third non-novel written by Cherryh and it shows how good she is at any length.
I mentioned Bob Sabella's "Visions of Paradise" a few times. You will also see that I added a label for it. Bob passed away in late 2011. I still find myself going back and revisiting his excellent blog. Any time I review an author that I know he liked or a story that he discussed, I will add this label in memory of Bob.
I read this story as part of "Once Upon a Time VIII".