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A review by bookaneer
Broken Stars: Contemporary Chinese Science Fiction in Translation by Ken Liu
3.0
Ah, Ken Liu, I guess our taste differs this time. I enjoyed [b:Invisible Planets: Contemporary Chinese Science Fiction in Translation|28220730|Invisible Planets Contemporary Chinese Science Fiction in Translation|Ken Liu|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1463570833l/28220730._SY75_.jpg|48249401] more than this one. The stories in there are more touching. This one felt a bit more distant, and I am not sure why there are stories with so many Western pop culture references in there. Good effort, nonetheless.
The highlights from this anthology for me:
"Goodnight, Melancholy" by Xia Jia
Any AI/robot fans need to read this. Hands down, Xia Jia, you are one of the best short fiction writers in my book.
"Moonlight" by Liu Cixin
Amusing what-ifs. Going straight to my Hugo ballot, this one is.
"What Has Passed Shall in Kinder Light Appear" by Baoshu
The reverse time arrow idea might not be original, but the way it was stitched together still makes it endearing.
"Coming of the Light" and "A History of Future Illnesses" by Chen Qiufan
These are two separate stories but both have the same somewhat disturbing, often droll and very possible scenarios in our tech-laden and device-dependent world.
There are three essays at the end and I absolutely enjoyed the first one: "A Brief Introduction to Chinese Science Fiction and Fandom" by Regina Kanyu Wang. I did not know there were quite a few established SF magazines and at least two SF organizations with regular cons as well as various clubs in China. We barely have one club in Indonesia (that I know).
The highlights from this anthology for me:
"Goodnight, Melancholy" by Xia Jia
Any AI/robot fans need to read this. Hands down, Xia Jia, you are one of the best short fiction writers in my book.
"Moonlight" by Liu Cixin
Amusing what-ifs. Going straight to my Hugo ballot, this one is.
"What Has Passed Shall in Kinder Light Appear" by Baoshu
The reverse time arrow idea might not be original, but the way it was stitched together still makes it endearing.
"Coming of the Light" and "A History of Future Illnesses" by Chen Qiufan
These are two separate stories but both have the same somewhat disturbing, often droll and very possible scenarios in our tech-laden and device-dependent world.
There are three essays at the end and I absolutely enjoyed the first one: "A Brief Introduction to Chinese Science Fiction and Fandom" by Regina Kanyu Wang. I did not know there were quite a few established SF magazines and at least two SF organizations with regular cons as well as various clubs in China. We barely have one club in Indonesia (that I know).