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Book Description

The first set of stories from an acclaimed young science fiction author. 'One of the genre's great ideas men' THE TIMES Includes : The Hundred light year diary, Learning to be me, Closer.

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Customer Reviews

5 Reviews

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
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Average Customer Review

4.8 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)

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5.0 out of 5 stars A collection of gems, April 12 2002

By	John T. O'Donnell (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm writing this review not having read the book for a long time, but it grows in my estimation with time, and I often think about the stories. They are classic examples of "Hard SF," but have the perfection of logical puzzles or chess problems. They seem to spring from abstract speculations about physics, biology, or philosphy, but are turned into affecting and involving vignettes and characters that often leave you stunned and moved. I can't recommend it highly enough.

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5.0 out of 5 stars A Mind, April 3 2001

By	Svein Olav Nyberg "Apeiron" (Grimstad, Norway) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is my first Egan book, so I will not compare it to his other books.

Egan's short stories - almost all of them close to 20 pages long - are all very different, and all based on a unique idea that Egan spins out as the story progresses. This, together with an affinity in the choice of themes, reminds me of Jorge L. Borges. In particular, it reminds me of those aspects of Borges that fascinates and captivates me.

Like Borges, Egan has a tidy mind and a tidy writing style. Not too many characters, and no strays to "spice up" the story. Rather, he invents quirks to the main storyline itself. My favourite in this book is "Learning to be me"; though the theme is familiar, the twist isn't.

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5.0 out of 5 stars The Most Original SciFi Author Now Writing, Aug 2 2000

By	Ken Schneyer (Barrington, RI USA) - See all my reviews

What John Varley was to the 1970s and early 1980s, Greg Egan is to the 1990s and 2000s: An author who thinks about what it will be like for the human mind and soul to encounter the technological advances that can change the nature of consciousness itself. After reading a story like one of these you are too stunned to think, because the concepts themselves are so mind-blowing. This book, by the way, is only the beginning: Egan's later stories (many of which can be found in Gardner Dozois's annual collections of science fiction) and Egan's novels (especially Diaspora) show more of the same.

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Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Greg Egan does Short Stories
Short stories are possiblly the best format for Egan's idea dense writing. This wonderful book never makes you stop thinking. Read more

Published on Jun 6 2000 by Peter Gerdes

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing collection of great stories!
If you love sci-fi books you have to think to fully understand - this book is for you! Actually, I'd say, most of Greg Egan's books are for you. Read more

Published on May 13 2000 by Dr. Zoidberg