13 visions of the future
Edited and translated by Ken Liu
ISBN: 9-781786-692788
383 pages
Publisher: http://www.headofzeus.com
Images: Shutterstock
3-5/5 Stars
13 stories and 3 short essays covering a variety of science fiction genres – from ‘hard’ or ‘Golden Age’ science fiction (similar to Asimov and Clarke) to more dream-like visions or dystopian futures.
The book also seeks to answer, ‘What makes chinese science fiction chinese?’. Many stories contain these themes; the role of bureaucracy, living with a huge population(s), living in poverty, automation and technology and humanities place in the universe.
The stories that gained 5 stars were as follows;
The Year of the Rat by Chen Qiufan – imagine rats bred as guard dogs, and then those rates becoming sentient and caring;
Invisible Planets by Hao Jingfang – how many different types of planet can you imagine? Can you back it up with the science?
Folding Beijing by Hao Jingfang – imagine a huge city, in this case Beijing, where skyscrapers fold into the ground and people are mandated to sleep, whilst a third of the population wakes to enjoy the open air for a fleeting time before resting once more.
The Circle by Liu Cixin – What if the Chinese Army created a human computer …
Taking Care of God by Liu Cixin – Have you ever thought what would happen if God got old? He would live with his children of course …
The Eclectic Book Review 