- Paperback: 304 pages
- Publisher: Orbit; New edition edition (7 Aug 1997)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1857234138
- ISBN-13: 978-1857234138
- Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 10.6 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 869,720 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
This collection of short science-fiction stories by the author of the "Uplift" series includes "The Crystal Tears" which won a Hugo Award on publication.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I purchased this book with great expectations, as many of the stories were written over a similar time to my favourite David Brin novels (Startide Rising, The Uplife War, Heart of the Comet).
These novels and the short stories in this book have a number of common themes, facing and usually overcoming adversity/conflict, hope for the future and a belief that we as a race will grow up and take more care of our environment and the other species that share it with us, these stories though have something of a sharper edge.
The tales are told in the first person, and most are told very effectively from an emotional point of view, allowing the reader to feel what the protagonist feels. David Brin manages to do this with an effectiveness I have rarely seen let alone exceeded (George R. R. Martin, in A Song for Lya, Dying of the Light and many other novels and short stories is the obvious exception).
While there are a few stories I would rate at three stars, there are many fours, the River of Time and an unusual parallel world storey stick out here, the five star one I must mention is The Crystal Spheres.
This story attempts to provide an answer to the question, if there are aliens why aren't they here. The answer it gives is highly fantastic, but does fit the facts: each solar system that can support life is surrounded at a distance by a sphere that can only be broken from the inside.
The story is set some significant time after we have broken out of our solar system, and coped with the problems it caused, in a time when we believe that we are the first race to make it to other stars and the impact of loneliness that we consequently feel as a race. It starts with the discovery of another solar system whose sphere is broken and the reaction of the human race.
When I finished reading it the hairs on the back of my next were standing upright, this is a moving tale I cannot recommend enough, and is sufficient reason to buy the book. If you know (and like) David Brin read it.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The River of Time is a collection of short stories which show off David Brin's abilities pretty well. There are all sorts of stories - some are more Fantasy than SF, more mythological. Others are 100% SF - Space exploration, aliens, whatever.
What is special about these stories is the feel-good factor. I always get a nice warm feeling when I finish these stories, they're so human and optimistic. And not because they all have a good ending either.
I just get the feeling that in the end, everything will work out. Even if everything's still in a mess right now (in the story or in real life), it will all be all right.
It's a good feeling
What is special about these stories is the feel-good factor. I always get a nice warm feeling when I finish these stories, they're so human and optimistic. And not because they all have a good ending either.
I just get the feeling that in the end, everything will work out. Even if everything's still in a mess right now (in the story or in real life), it will all be all right.
It's a good feeling
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
5 reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
A mixed bag
4 Jun 2002
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This early collection of short stories by David Brin spans a wide range of styles and subject matter. As a result, it is not the sort of book that reads well in one sitting. But when read one story (or section of stories, as they are loosely organized by theme) at a time, the book is far more enjoyable. Brin's introductory notes on each story are a very nice addition to the stories themselves.
Among the stories, I particularly liked "The Crystal Spheres" with its interesting take on space travel, answer to the "if intelligent life exists in the universe, why haven't they contacted us yet?" question, and its suggestion that the universe is actually protecting us a little bit. I also enjoyed "Tank Farm Dynamo". However, far and away the standout story in this collection is the title story "The River of Time". This is one of my favourite short stories by any author, both for the unique concept of time as a true river with tributaries and currents, and for its tight execution. It made me stop and consider the linearity of time in an entirely new way.
If you can locate a copy of this book, which is sadly out of print again, and you enjoy concept-based stories, it is well worth picking up for the title story alone.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Highly recommended!
6 Jan 2000
Format:Hardcover
If you can manage to get your hands on a copy of this book,grab it. I'm a great fan of Brin's ever since I read Sundiver 4 yearsago.
This collection of short stories is both original and thought-provoking. He is one of a few writers that I have read who can delve into atmospheric theory, Greek legends, and some serious speculative stuff in one science fiction volume, and have it all come off as a cohesive volume of stories.
If you're new to Brin, or if you're a seasoned fan, this book is worth reading 100%. Not as developed as his novels, but of course you can't expect that from short stories. Very satisfying read.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Brin shows us his early work, good and bad.
13 July 2004
Format:Mass Market Paperback
One of the defining characteristics of science fiction as a genre is the ability to write stories that answer the questions "what if?" and "why?" Almost every one of the short stories in this collection evolves from one of these questions. Some of them, in particular the heavily awarded and thought provoking "Crystal Spheres", are well polished and enjoyable. Others, such as the abominable 250 word story, are obviously included because the author has a soft spot in his heart for them. Overall this collection is a good buy for those who are die-hard fans of the author himself, but I would have been happier if a number of the stories had been omitted and the book filled out with quality works from the latter part of Brin's career.
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