A review by emergencily
On the Origin of Species and Other Stories by Kim Bo-young

5.0

• collection of sci-fi short stories musing on humanity, aliens, Otherness, evolution, and transhumanism
• first story in the collection is a bit of a tired sci-fi premise and doesn't go far beyond it, but the rest -- while resting on some familiar premises and concepts -- all turn what you expect onto its head, or at least shift your perspective
• standout stories in the collection:
  • the titular story "on the origin of other species" (and its followup story) are outstanding. in a future earth long after humanity has died out and been forgotten, a robot civilization rules the world while a lone robot researcher attempts to prove the existence of life, sentiency and "humanity" outside their society's preconceived norms, setting off an explosive chain of events.
  • "stars shine in earth's sky" is a reflection on disability, normativity and alienation. written as a letter from an older sister to her younger brother, it's filled with so much tenderness & hope & humanity it aches