Paperback, 288 pages
English language
Published Jan. 21, 2005 by Tor.
Ted Chiang's first published story, "Tower of Babylon," won the Nebula Award in 1990. Subsequent stories have won the Asimov's SF Magazine reader poll, a second Nebula Award, the Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award, and the Sidewise Award for alternate history. He won the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer in 1992. Story for story, he is the most honored young writer in modern SF.
Now, collected here for the first time are all seven of this extraordinary writer's stories so far--plus an eighth story written especially for this volume.
What if men built a tower from Earth to Heaven--and broke through to Heaven's other side? What if we discovered that the fundamentals of mathematics were arbitrary and inconsistent? What if there were a science of naming things that calls life into being from inanimate matter? What if exposure to an alien language forever changed our perception …
Ted Chiang's first published story, "Tower of Babylon," won the Nebula Award in 1990. Subsequent stories have won the Asimov's SF Magazine reader poll, a second Nebula Award, the Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award, and the Sidewise Award for alternate history. He won the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer in 1992. Story for story, he is the most honored young writer in modern SF.
Now, collected here for the first time are all seven of this extraordinary writer's stories so far--plus an eighth story written especially for this volume.
What if men built a tower from Earth to Heaven--and broke through to Heaven's other side? What if we discovered that the fundamentals of mathematics were arbitrary and inconsistent? What if there were a science of naming things that calls life into being from inanimate matter? What if exposure to an alien language forever changed our perception of time? What if all the beliefs of fundamentalist Christianity were literally true, and the sight of sinners being swallowed into fiery pits were a routine event on city streets? These are the kinds of outrageous questions posed by the stories of Ted Chiang. Stories of your life . . . and others.
I found that I enjoyed some of these short stories and I disliked some others. Some of the ones I liked really outstayed their welcome: a good idea, but the story itself dragged. That said, there's some fun stuff in there.
I found that I enjoyed some of these short stories and I disliked some others. Some of the ones I liked really outstayed their welcome: a good idea, but the story itself dragged. That said, there's some fun stuff in there.
Ted Chiang is the best, and I think he needs no explanation. The best-known story in here is "Story of Your Life" (better know as the film Arrival). But, I think the best story in here is "Hell is the Absence of God." All of the stories left me thinking a bit after, and I'm continuing to do so now. The last set of stories in my version were also in Exhalation, so I skipped over them.
Ted Chiang is the best, and I think he needs no explanation. The best-known story in here is "Story of Your Life" (better know as the film Arrival). But, I think the best story in here is "Hell is the Absence of God." All of the stories left me thinking a bit after, and I'm continuing to do so now. The last set of stories in my version were also in Exhalation, so I skipped over them.
The two stories of 'Stories of Your Life' (the inspiration of the movie Arrival) and 'Tower of Babylon' are very readable. The others are still great, but get technical. Chaing really is a great short story writer if you like the media.
The two stories of 'Stories of Your Life' (the inspiration of the movie Arrival) and 'Tower of Babylon' are very readable. The others are still great, but get technical. Chaing really is a great short story writer if you like the media.
Questo libro sembra scritto ieri, eppure ha già più di vent'anni.
Tutti i racconti sono affascinanti, ma soprattutto l'ultimo racconta una facciata della società… attualissima. Non vedo l'ora di leggere altro di Chiang, se è tutto di questo livello… wow.
Questo libro sembra scritto ieri, eppure ha già più di vent'anni.
Tutti i racconti sono affascinanti, ma soprattutto l'ultimo racconta una facciata della società… attualissima. Non vedo l'ora di leggere altro di Chiang, se è tutto di questo livello… wow.
This is one of those science fiction books that really manage to blow your mind with the possibilities that the writer proposes. As a short story collection, you're always left out wanting more of the stories. But they are as long as they have to be.
This is one of those science fiction books that really manage to blow your mind with the possibilities that the writer proposes. As a short story collection, you're always left out wanting more of the stories. But they are as long as they have to be.
This is my favorite format of science fiction : short but thought provoking stories. Surprisingly, the story that gave the name to this book is far from being the best in my opinion. If you want mind-bending novels that are both fun and at the same time disturbing, this book is a must-read.
特德姜擅长把一个概念拓展成一个世界。他的故事是另一个世界的一片截面，常常是我们随着主角一起去探索世界。其力量感也正在于此。
我特别喜欢审美滤镜那篇。
The stories were interesting speculative journeys, but none of them really inspired me that much. Read up to Seventy Two Letters, and then my loan expired.
The only reason I finished this book is that I don't like to give up. I will also cop to the fact that I'm probably not smart enough to get it, and miss the hype. These stories bored me. I find the whole God thing dumb. The narratives are weak. And mostly, it felt like the stories were divided between the religious stuff, and the science-du-jour type. And most of the stories fell flat in the end.
The only reason I finished this book is that I don't like to give up. I will also cop to the fact that I'm probably not smart enough to get it, and miss the hype. These stories bored me. I find the whole God thing dumb. The narratives are weak. And mostly, it felt like the stories were divided between the religious stuff, and the science-du-jour type. And most of the stories fell flat in the end.
