The Undiscovered
Encyclopedia
"The Undiscovered" is a novelette by William Sanders
that won the Sidewise Award for Alternate History
. "The Undiscovered" was originally published in the March 1997 issue of Asimov's
and, in addition to its Sidewise Award nomination, was nominated for the Hugo Award
, the Nebula Award
, and the Theodore Sturgeon Award
. The story was subsequently reprinted in The Year's Best Science Fiction: Fifteenth Annual Collection, The Best Alternate History Stories of the 20th Century, and The Best of the Best: 20 Years of the Year's Best Science Fiction.
The story concerns William Shakespeare
living among the Cherokee
and trying to produce a version of Hamlet
for them. The author is Cherokee. To some the results of the story seem comic, but the intent is pessimistic. Essentially the story indicates genius and hardwork guarantees nothing. Failure and constant alienation may even be the most likely result in some cases.
William Sanders (writer)
William Sanders is an American science fiction writer, primarily of short fiction, and was the senior editor of the now defunct online science fiction magazine Helix SF....
that won the Sidewise Award for Alternate History
Sidewise Award for Alternate History
The Sidewise Awards for Alternate History were established in 1995 to recognize the best alternate history stories and novels of the year.The awards take their name from the 1934 short story "Sidewise in Time" by Murray Leinster, in which a strange storm causes portions of Earth to swap places with...
. "The Undiscovered" was originally published in the March 1997 issue of Asimov's
Asimov's Science Fiction
Asimov's Science Fiction is an American science fiction magazine which publishes science fiction and fantasy and perpetuates the name of author and biochemist Isaac Asimov...
and, in addition to its Sidewise Award nomination, was nominated for the Hugo Award
Hugo Award for Best Novelette
The Hugo Awards are given every year by the World Science Fiction Society for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was once officially...
, the Nebula Award
Nebula Award for Best Novelette
Winners of the Nebula Award for best Novelette. The stated year is that of publication; awards are given in the following year. Winning titles are listed first, with other nominees listed below.-External links:* * *...
, and the Theodore Sturgeon Award
Theodore Sturgeon Award
The Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award is given each year for the best science fiction short story of the year and is the short fiction counterpart of the Campbell award , published in English....
. The story was subsequently reprinted in The Year's Best Science Fiction: Fifteenth Annual Collection, The Best Alternate History Stories of the 20th Century, and The Best of the Best: 20 Years of the Year's Best Science Fiction.
The story concerns William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
living among the Cherokee
Cherokee
The Cherokee are a Native American people historically settled in the Southeastern United States . Linguistically, they are part of the Iroquoian language family...
and trying to produce a version of Hamlet
Hamlet
The Tragical History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, or more simply Hamlet, is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601...
for them. The author is Cherokee. To some the results of the story seem comic, but the intent is pessimistic. Essentially the story indicates genius and hardwork guarantees nothing. Failure and constant alienation may even be the most likely result in some cases.