A LIBRARY WITH A LITTLE DIRECTION

1973 Nebula Award: science fiction winners and finalists

Every science fiction novel and novella recognized by the 1973 Nebula Award, winners first, with page counts, reader ratings and a link to each book.

The Nebulas are selected by eligible members of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association. Award records here retain SFADB ceremony years, which can differ from eligibility years on the official Nebula site. The library focuses on science fiction novels and novellas. Official award site ↗

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13 works · Page 1 of 1

The Iron Dream by Norman Spinrad, book cover

The Iron Dream

by Norman Spinrad

Novel · 1972

Nebula recognition

The Iron Dream is a metafictional 1972 alternate history novel by American author Norman Spinrad. The book has a nested narrative that tells a story within a story. On the surface, the novel presents a post-apocalyptic adventure tale entitled Lord of the Swastika, written by an alternate-history Adolf Hitler shortly before his death in 1953.

The Sheep Look Up by John Brunner, book cover

The Sheep Look Up

by John Brunner

Novel · 1972

Nebula recognition

In a near future, the air pollution is so bad that everyone wears gas masks. The infant mortality rate is soaring, and birth defects, new diseases, and physical ailments of all kinds abound. The water is undrinkable—unless you’re poor and have no choice.

The Word for World is Forest by Ursula K. Le Guin, book cover

The Word for World is Forest

by Ursula K. Le Guin

Novella · 1972

Hugo winnerLocus recognitionNebula recognition

Centuries in the future, Terrans have established a logging colony & military base named “New Tahiti” on a tree-covered planet whose small, green-furred, big-eyed inhabitants have a culture centered on lucid dreaming. Terran greed spirals around native innocence & wisdom, overturning the ancient society.

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