Maura (maura853) -
A very satisfying anthology. Even if not to my taste, I could see that each story was very well-written and thoughtful, with some nice SF ideas and wonderful diversity, of authors and subject matter. I suppose it should be, as it includes the long-listed stories and novellas from the 2015 Hugo list, the ones that didn't make it to the short list, but I've learned to be dubious about the claims of anthologies and their editors.
But here, while every story didn't blow me away, each one gave me something to chew on. Did some nice world building. Offered some pretty sparky metaphors. Well-written and readable. (NOT always the same thing, have you noticed?)
The story that did blow me away, in its charming fable-like simplicity and its lovely, quite positive take on the effects that future hi-tech might have on human traditions was "Spring Festival: Happiness, Anger, Love, Sorrow, Joy" by Xia Jia, translated by Ken Liu. It's one that's going to stay with me for a long time, with it's dryly amusing vignettes showing how future tech could wreck havoc (or perhaps, work quite nicely) with traditional Chinese celebrations and traditions. What's nice is that, while the specifics of each celebration are unique to China (and therefore very interesting to learn a little about), the overall situations are universal. The birthday party for an adorable 1-year-old, thrown by his earnestly aspirational mummy and daddy, works out in a way you don't quite expect. A young woman's experience with a dating service (aided by her VERY persistent Mom -- how universal is that?) is frighteningly efficient. There's a high school reunion that Stephen King would be proud of, a little story about fighting back against intrusive social media and reality TV. And a story in which a lady celebrating her 100th birthday learns that virtual connections might be nice, but real life moments are still the best.
I loved it. I've love to see more by this author.
Of the others, I wasn't surprised that I enjoyed authors I was familiar with: Aliette de Bodard's "The Breath of War" walks a fine line at the edges of fantasy, SF and fable: completely illogical, but feels emotionally true. "Covenant" by Elizabeth Bear was an unusual redemption story.
"A Kiss with Teeth" by Max Gladstone was a nice little domestic drama about a vampire's mid-life crisis.
After a break, I carried on and finished the collection. Out of the second half, three stories really clicked, for me. "The Regular" by Ken Liu is proof-positive that the SF and detective mystery blend can work, when done properly. And "Grand Jeté (The Great Leap)" by Rachel Swirsky an unbearably touching SF take on the Jewish legend of the Golum. Heartbreaking reflection on the effects of the impending loss of a terminally ill child (from perspective of both parent andchild), and the lengths a parent would go to, to hold on ...
But I was also deeply affected by "The Devil in America" by Kai Ashante Wilson. Unsparingly sad, with understandable undertones of white-hot rage, it's a story that demonstrates that, when it comes to race relations in the USA, the Devil has had all the "best" tunes, and that racism and cruelty has been dancing to his beat ... A story that should be read by every high school student in America -- but won't, because the Teacher who suggests it would immediately be fired ...
An anthology well worth getting your hands on ...
But here, while every story didn't blow me away, each one gave me something to chew on. Did some nice world building. Offered some pretty sparky metaphors. Well-written and readable. (NOT always the same thing, have you noticed?)
The story that did blow me away, in its charming fable-like simplicity and its lovely, quite positive take on the effects that future hi-tech might have on human traditions was "Spring Festival: Happiness, Anger, Love, Sorrow, Joy" by Xia Jia, translated by Ken Liu. It's one that's going to stay with me for a long time, with it's dryly amusing vignettes showing how future tech could wreck havoc (or perhaps, work quite nicely) with traditional Chinese celebrations and traditions. What's nice is that, while the specifics of each celebration are unique to China (and therefore very interesting to learn a little about), the overall situations are universal. The birthday party for an adorable 1-year-old, thrown by his earnestly aspirational mummy and daddy, works out in a way you don't quite expect. A young woman's experience with a dating service (aided by her VERY persistent Mom -- how universal is that?) is frighteningly efficient. There's a high school reunion that Stephen King would be proud of, a little story about fighting back against intrusive social media and reality TV. And a story in which a lady celebrating her 100th birthday learns that virtual connections might be nice, but real life moments are still the best.
I loved it. I've love to see more by this author.
Of the others, I wasn't surprised that I enjoyed authors I was familiar with: Aliette de Bodard's "The Breath of War" walks a fine line at the edges of fantasy, SF and fable: completely illogical, but feels emotionally true. "Covenant" by Elizabeth Bear was an unusual redemption story.
"A Kiss with Teeth" by Max Gladstone was a nice little domestic drama about a vampire's mid-life crisis.
After a break, I carried on and finished the collection. Out of the second half, three stories really clicked, for me. "The Regular" by Ken Liu is proof-positive that the SF and detective mystery blend can work, when done properly. And "Grand Jeté (The Great Leap)" by Rachel Swirsky an unbearably touching SF take on the Jewish legend of the Golum. Heartbreaking reflection on the effects of the impending loss of a terminally ill child (from perspective of both parent andchild), and the lengths a parent would go to, to hold on ...
But I was also deeply affected by "The Devil in America" by Kai Ashante Wilson. Unsparingly sad, with understandable undertones of white-hot rage, it's a story that demonstrates that, when it comes to race relations in the USA, the Devil has had all the "best" tunes, and that racism and cruelty has been dancing to his beat ... A story that should be read by every high school student in America -- but won't, because the Teacher who suggests it would immediately be fired ...
An anthology well worth getting your hands on ...
