Edge of Infinity - Book Review
Edge of Infinity is an SF story collection. The introduction goes on about how these are the Fourth Generation of SF, but frankly I don't see it. These feel to me to be mostly as edgy as any good Analog stories, maybe a little more.
Anyway, for no apparent good reason I'd like to lightly comment on some of the stories:
- The Girl-Thing Who Went Out for Sushi - Pat Cadigan
One of the edgier group. Humans are on the gas giants, and tech is what you'd expect (nothing fancy like FTL or AIs leading everyone), except that humans can change to forms more fitting to low gravity work, which live longer too (the Sushi slang of the title). BTW, there is so much made up future slang that it is quite annoying at first - reminds me of Asimov's introduction on one of his classics explaining why he wouldn't go there (Nightfall, I believe).
- The Deeps of the Sky - Elizabeth Bear
Also edgy, about sentient life forms in gas giants. Nice.
- Drive - James S. A. Corey
More of a conventional tale of the colonization of Mars, tensions between colonies and empires, love and a sudden tech that changes everything. Fair but sad ending.
- The Road to NPS - Sandra McDonald and Stephen D. Covey
Regular "hard delivery jorney on a SF setting". Ok.
- Swift as a Dream and Fleeting as a Sigh - John Barnes
Nice, edgier story. I'm a big fan of many of John Barnes' books. Several interesting AI angles to the story.
- Macy Minnot (long title) - Paul PcAuley
Nice SF art story.
- Safety Test - Kristine Kathryn Rusch
The DMV - in space. Nice angle, though.
- Bricks, Sticks, Straw - Gwyneth Jones
Some overtones on the rights of people digital copies, as well as VR stuff that was really popular on the cyberpunk movement. OK.
- Obelisk - Stephen Baxter
Looks like it is going to be nice (and Stephen Baxter is a huge name in SF), but ends up disappointing.
- Vainglory - Alastair Reynolds
Another big name, but I liked this one. Another SF art piece (in the about art sense, not as art).
- Water Rights - An Owomoyela
Nice colonization angles. Cute ending.
- The Peak of Eternal Light - Bruce Sterling
I'm a big Bruce Sterling fan. This one is a good look on imaginary customs (on the Mercury colony), and how they can continue with so much moral force even when they don't make sense anymore. A fitting ending for the book.
Anyway, for no apparent good reason I'd like to lightly comment on some of the stories:
- The Girl-Thing Who Went Out for Sushi - Pat Cadigan
One of the edgier group. Humans are on the gas giants, and tech is what you'd expect (nothing fancy like FTL or AIs leading everyone), except that humans can change to forms more fitting to low gravity work, which live longer too (the Sushi slang of the title). BTW, there is so much made up future slang that it is quite annoying at first - reminds me of Asimov's introduction on one of his classics explaining why he wouldn't go there (Nightfall, I believe).
- The Deeps of the Sky - Elizabeth Bear
Also edgy, about sentient life forms in gas giants. Nice.
- Drive - James S. A. Corey
More of a conventional tale of the colonization of Mars, tensions between colonies and empires, love and a sudden tech that changes everything. Fair but sad ending.
- The Road to NPS - Sandra McDonald and Stephen D. Covey
Regular "hard delivery jorney on a SF setting". Ok.
- Swift as a Dream and Fleeting as a Sigh - John Barnes
Nice, edgier story. I'm a big fan of many of John Barnes' books. Several interesting AI angles to the story.
- Macy Minnot (long title) - Paul PcAuley
Nice SF art story.
- Safety Test - Kristine Kathryn Rusch
The DMV - in space. Nice angle, though.
- Bricks, Sticks, Straw - Gwyneth Jones
Some overtones on the rights of people digital copies, as well as VR stuff that was really popular on the cyberpunk movement. OK.
- Obelisk - Stephen Baxter
Looks like it is going to be nice (and Stephen Baxter is a huge name in SF), but ends up disappointing.
- Vainglory - Alastair Reynolds
Another big name, but I liked this one. Another SF art piece (in the about art sense, not as art).
- Water Rights - An Owomoyela
Nice colonization angles. Cute ending.
- The Peak of Eternal Light - Bruce Sterling
I'm a big Bruce Sterling fan. This one is a good look on imaginary customs (on the Mercury colony), and how they can continue with so much moral force even when they don't make sense anymore. A fitting ending for the book.
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