Harare Review of Books

240 pages.

First published in 2020.

Finished reading on Jun 24, 2021.

Genre: Science Fiction.

Science fiction authors offer original tales of relationships in a future world of evolving technology.In a future world dominated by the technological, people will still be entangled in relationships–in romances, friendships, and families. This volume in the Twelve Tomorrows series considers the effects that scientific and technological discoveries will have on the emotional bonds that hold us together.

The strange new worlds in these stories feature AI family therapy, floating fungitecture, and a futuristic love potion. A co-op of mothers attempts to raise a child together, lovers try to resolve their differences by employing a therapeutic sexbot, and a robot helps a woman dealing with Parkinson’s disease. Contributions include Xia Jia’s novelette set in a Buddhist monastery, translated by the Hugo Award-winning writer Ken Liu; a story by Nancy Kress, winner of six Hugos and two Nebulas; and a profile of Kress by Lisa Yaszek, Professor of Science Fiction Studies at Georgia Tech. Stunning artwork by Tatiana Plakhova–“infographic abstracts” of mixed media software–accompany the texts.

Contributors

James Patrick Kelly, Mary Robinette Kowal, Nancy Kress, Rich Larson, KenLiu, Sam J. Miller, Annalee Newitz, Suzanne Palmer, Tatiana Plakhova, Cadwell Turnbull, Nick Wolven, Xia Jia, Lisa Yaszek

An interesting mix of stories. Some highlights for me:

Echo the Echo, by Rich Larson, was my favourite story, about love and loss and trying to hang onto our loved ones, but also letting go of hard things. Very well done;

Invisible People, by Nancy Kress, a gentle story about manipulation of genes and possible repercussions, even when we mean well;

Don’t Mind Me, by Suzanne Palmer, continuing the trope in science fiction about narrow-minded Christians 🤪 but an interesting thing about mind control by well-meaning (again) parents.

The other stories sort of make up the difference, but if you can figure out the last one, you’re truly a better man than me.

Recommend if you want to read some short sci-fi, but it’s pretty middle of the road on the whole, except for the stories I’ve mentioned.

Rated: 5/10.