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Since his first published story, "Apartness," appeared in 1965, Vernor Vinge has forged a unique and awe-inspiring career in science fiction as his work has grown and matured. He is now one of the most celebrated science fiction writers in the field , having won the field's top award, the Hugo, for each of his last two novels.Now, for the first time, this illustrious author gathers all his short fiction into a single volume. This collection is truly the definitive Vinge, capturing his visionary ideas at their very best. It also contains a never-before-published novella, one that represents precisely what this collection encapsulates - bold, unique, challenging science fictional ideas brought to vivid life with compelling storytelling.Including such major pieces as "The Ungoverned" and "The Blabber," this sumptuous volume will satisfy any reader who loves the sense of wonder, and the excitement of great SF.… (more)
User reviews
"The Ungoverned" was the one story I remembered just from the title. A few others took just a few paragraphs to come back to mind: "Bookworm, Run!" "Apartness," "Long Shot," "The Blabber." I did like all the stories in the collection though, there wasn't one complete dud, although I remember leaving "Fast Times at Fairmont High" unfinished the first time, and it did take a while for me to get into. I think back in 2001 the virtual plugged in world was just a bit too alienating for me. The scary thing is that a bit over ten years later it sounds like our near future. And actually there is something reminiscent of Asimov in the twists to many of these stories. I like the way Vinge pushes at how technology might drive a very radical change in what is human, and he's good at imagining truly alien perspectives. So, to name my five favorites in the order they appeared in the collection:
"Bookworm, Run!" - This 1966 story is the first one Vinge wrote that he ever was able to sell--he was still in high school at the time. I really liked his chimpanzee protagonist.
"The Ungoverned" - This is a cult classic among libertarians and had even been pointed to me as an argument for anarcho-capitalism. Color me skeptical it would change any minds, but it certainly is memorable and thought-provoking.
"Long Shot" - About the odyssey of a space probe, this has a fantastic premise and is among Vinge's best stories.
"Original Sin" - In the afterward Vinge said this 1970 story was for years his favorite of his own stories. It's rather brutal, but for that very reason unforgettable. One of the more original, truly alien aliens I've encountered in science-fiction.
"The Blabber" - A story of a young man and his extraterrestrial pet. Maybe I'm just a sucker for animal stories, but I did really love this one. As much as any in the collection.