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A review by llsburg
Sinopticon: A Celebration of Chinese Science Fiction by Jiang Bo, Gu Shi, Ma Boyong, Anna Wu, Regina Kanyu Wang, Zhao Haihong, Han Song, Hao Jingfang, Bao Shu, Nian Yu, Tang Fei, A Que, Wang Jinkang
4.0
Full disclosure: I love sci-fi and I'm a sinophile. So this book clearly checks all the boxes for me. I will admit that it took me a bit longer to read than most short story anthologies, but when I was in the mood, the stories were really fun.
I'm left wondering how different Chinese sci-fi is from western sci-fi? In the introduction, the translator mentions that modern Chinese sci-fi has been influenced by western sci-fi. So there is obviously some blending. Nor do I believe that there is such a neat distinction between the two, especially as every single author has something unique to bring to the party. However, I did notice that all instances of AI are depicted as positive, even benevolent presences. And if there is an abuse of power, it is the human who mistreats the machine and not the other way around.
The Chinese perspective also sheds light on the historic rape of Nanking. While I have been taught about this event, I do not live with the knowledge of it in a personal way. Now, the realistic depictions of the unimaginable horrors delivered in "Rendezvous:1937" have left an indelible mark on my soul, as did the author's intent to show that some people did fight back though history does not remember them.
There are stories of space travel, a lot of plays on the mechanics of time, an intense action-packed adventure, a zombie romance, a creepy tale of infinite torture, a conversation where a four year-old teaches something new to a super AI, and many more. That is to say, there is a lot of variety here. I found it a fun read, and if you identify with my first statement in the review, you will too.
I'm left wondering how different Chinese sci-fi is from western sci-fi? In the introduction, the translator mentions that modern Chinese sci-fi has been influenced by western sci-fi. So there is obviously some blending. Nor do I believe that there is such a neat distinction between the two, especially as every single author has something unique to bring to the party. However, I did notice that all instances of AI are depicted as positive, even benevolent presences. And if there is an abuse of power, it is the human who mistreats the machine and not the other way around.
The Chinese perspective also sheds light on the historic rape of Nanking. While I have been taught about this event, I do not live with the knowledge of it in a personal way. Now, the realistic depictions of the unimaginable horrors delivered in "Rendezvous:1937" have left an indelible mark on my soul, as did the author's intent to show that some people did fight back though history does not remember them.
There are stories of space travel, a lot of plays on the mechanics of time, an intense action-packed adventure, a zombie romance, a creepy tale of infinite torture, a conversation where a four year-old teaches something new to a super AI, and many more. That is to say, there is a lot of variety here. I found it a fun read, and if you identify with my first statement in the review, you will too.