Vanishing Acts: A Science Fiction Anthology - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0312869622 ISBN 13: 9780312869625

Publisher: Tor Books, 2000

Synopsis

Assembles a collection of original science fiction stories that explore the idea of endangered species--interpreted in some cases to include the human race--by award-winning science fiction authors, including Ted Chiang. 12,500 first printing.

About this title

Review

Ellen Datlow has a fine reputation as an editor of original anthologies, both solo (Little Deaths, Sirens and Other Daemon Lovers) and with Terri Windling (their adult fairy-tale series includes Black Heart, Ivory Bones). With Windling she also edits the annual reprint volume The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror. This collection, fifteen stories and one poem, is unusual in that the pieces are a mix of originals and reprints.

The central theme is that of endangered species: plant and animal, human and alien, real and imagined. The seven pieces that stand out include all four reprints. Bruce McAllister's "The Girl Who Loved Animals" and Karen Joy Fowler's "Faded Roses" are both set in near futures bereft of most of the mammal species we love. Both cultures try different solutions. Both stories are unbearably sad. Also poignant but uplifting in its theme of the redemptive power of music is Suzy McKee Charnas's "Listening to Brahms." M. Shayne Bell's "The Thing About Benny" is a more dispassionate examination of the practical impact of reduced biodiversity, and Mark W. Tiedemann gives us a cautionary tale of difference--and possibilities wrenched from our grasp. Interestingly, it is the oldest piece in the book, Avram Davison's "Now Let Us Sleep," that perhaps comes closest to mirroring third-millennial angst, cynicism, and despair. The last story, however, is the utterly delightful "Seventy-two Letters," a new novella from Ted Chiang, that allows the reader to close the book feeling hopeful about the perpetual self-renewal of life. --Luc Duplessis

From the Back Cover

“Ellen Datlow’s splendid new original anthology”--The Washington Post

Stories by Suzy McKee Charnas, Ted Chiang, Avram Davidson, Karen Joy Fowler, Paul McAuley, Brian Stableford, and others

"Any new anthology from Ellen Datlow is cause for rejoicing"--Jonathan Carroll
“Listening to Brahms” by Suzy McKee Charnas

“The Rift” by Paul J. McAuley

“The Girl Who Loved Animals” by Bruce McAllister

“Sunflowers” by Ian McDowell

“Tenebrio” by Brian Stableford

“Dance of the Yellow-Breasted Luddites” by William Shunn

“Blessed Event” by David J. Schow

“Faded Roses” by Karen Joy Fowler

“Links” by Mark W. Tiedemann

“Chimera 8” by Daniel Abraham

“Bite the Hand” by Michael Cadnum

“The Thing About Benny” by M. Shayne Bell

“Fast Glaciers” by A. R. Morlan

“Now Let Us Sleep” by Avram Davidson

“Seventy-Two Letters” by Ted Chiang

“Endangered Species” by Joe Haldeman

About this edition

• Publisher: Tor Books
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0312869622
• ISBN 13: 9780312869625
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 380
• Editor: Datlow Ellen