Escape Velocity: The Anthology [Paperback]

This is an anthology of `hard science fiction' in the general tradition of the magazines like Astounding, If, Analog and Galaxy that I consumed avidly during my teenage years in the 1960s. As `hard' science, including physics itself, the `hardest' of them all, has become in many people's estimation increasingly mystical and impenetrable, highly experimental and `far out' formats for science fiction have been tried, with little success, and it's refreshing to find a collection in which the genre hasn't forgotten its roots. There is, however, a problem with continuing down the same path, in that it's becoming increasingly difficult to come up with new plots, or even markedly new angles on old ones, and generally speaking the plot is to the fore in the science fiction short story. There probably aren't any radically new story ideas here, that hardened sci fi fanatics won't have come across in one guise or another, but the writing is of a consistently high standard, and most of the stories are highly entertaining in one way or another. Of the forty-eight (which is an enormous story count) about ten or twelve I found very memorable and impressive for one reason or another. Others I know will select a different bunch, it depends on what you look for in a story, and that's different for different readers.

I particularly liked Catherine Edmunds' 'Goodbye Maggie', which concerns a time-hopping artist and his coquettish lover and model, who manage to variously work with, seduce and/or sit for most of the major artists represented (by an outlandish coincidence) in an exhibition in the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle in Co. Durham in 2010. It's definitely tongue-in-cheek, but enormous fun, and the characters come to life in a way that's sadly rare in this genre.

'Scream Quietly' by Sheila Crosby is another time travel story, also written by a woman, this time in the format of a series of letters from one sister to another. Fairly slow in pace, the characterizations are again strong, and a satisfying ending emerges very naturally from a well-developed plot.

Another first rank piece is 'One Long Holiday' by Ben Cheetham, which is simply an account of one couple's attempt to survive and retain their humanity in a post-global-warming devastated world, racked by wars over the planet's rapidly vanishing resources. Chillingly realistic, reminiscent of Harry Harrison's 'Make Room Make Room!' and the film 'Soylent Green' that was based on it, this one will stay with you for a long time after you close the book.

The last story in the book, 'Red Monkeys' by Rebecca Latyntseva, deals with what might or might not be a woman's descent into madness, and takes its place also among the collection's front runners.

It's tempting to go on and on talking about individual stories, but the important message is that this is a solid, well-edited and well-chosen collection, and if you're a fan of intelligent science fiction, in which the science matters, you won't want to miss it.

"Escape Velocity" is a diverse selection of modern science fiction stories. The stories are as unique and varied as the authors, each reflecting a different aspect of society.

As it is an anthology, it's very difficult to give an in depth review of characterization and style as I usually do. Instead, I'll discuss several stories I felt were most outstanding. This is in no way a reflection on the others. All are well written with interesting premises that warrant exploration. I have been an avid sci-fi reader since I was a child. Therefore, the stories I've chosen reflect my personal tastes.

"Birthright" by Ian Smith is the first that really caught my eye. It's about a teenage girl cast in a difficult role as a protector. She does her duty and moves on to her next assignment. I was impressed with the story's unique perspective and straightforward readability.

"Auditory Crescendo" by Geoff Nelder explores the use (or abuse) of a young man injured in an explosion. Experimental surgery leaves him with the ability to hear from a great distance. How like the government to exploit that. The story leaves the reader wondering just what he will do with his ability. Will he use it for good or ill?

"Caveat Emptor!" (Buyer Beware) by Bec Zugor presents a compelling ethical and moral issue. In this world, talent transplants are made by taking cells from a highly talented artist or musician, a patch is cloned and put into the subject. What the company doesn't say is that certain personality aberrations can also be transplanted--with disturbing results. The climax adds new dimensions to the words, "Buyer Beware".

"First Class" by Barbara Krasnoff is a lighthearted story of a young woman stranded on an alien world when the star cruiser she's on meets with an accident. At first terrified by her surroundings, she learns to cope and even makes friends with the natives. It's a charming story about finding ways to get along.

"Heaven as Iron, Earth as Brass" by Richard J. Goldstein is an amazingly powerful tale. It shows the reader that some people would rather die for their hate than learn to live without it. This story is a deeply moving social commentary.

"Galactic Collision" by Magdalena Bell is a wonderfully expressive poem about outer space. I enjoyed the images she created with her words. It is the only poem in the anthology and well worth being included.

"Scream Quietly" by Sheila Crosby was one of my favorite stories. Told by way of letters from the perspective of a young woman in 1849 England. This story depicts the intricacies of alien contact and space/ time travel. It's a wonderfully heartwarming tale with a great twist at the end.

"Hole Card" by Robert Blevins is a somewhat disturbing look at how a witness from the Roswell crash is treated and interrogated. It puts in clear focus attitudes toward aliens, as something to be dissected and experimented upon.

"Chester" by Karl Bunker is a lovely story of a man and his pet alien, Chester. Despite popular opinion to the contrary, Hexapod owners know that their alien companions are loving, faithful and kind. The gift they give their owners on dying could very well save humanity. This is a beautiful depiction not only of trust, but of redemption.

"Borrowed Time" by Gustavo Bondoni leaves the reader wondering if all that transpired was as a result of some sick, ethereal joke. Has Hawthorne undermined humanity because of purposely bad advice? The reader is left to determine this for himself.

"Escape Velocity" is an excellent anthology of sci-fi stories for any science fiction lover. Its amazing variety has something to please every reader. I highly recommend "Escape Velocity".

© Dellani Oakes 2011