Invisible Planets - Hardcover

Chen Qiufan; Xia Jia; Ma Boyong; Hao Jingfang; Tang Fei; Cheng Jingbo; Liu Cixin

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1784978809 ISBN 13: 9781784978808

Publisher: Head Of Zeus, 2016

Synopsis

Award-winning translator and author Ken Liu presents a collection of short speculative fiction from China. Some stories have won awards; some have been included in various 'Year's Best' anthologies; some have been well reviewed by critics and readers; and some are simply Ken's personal favorites. Many of the authors collected here (with the obvious exception of Liu Cixin) belong to the younger generation of 'rising stars'.

In addition, three essays at the end of the book explore Chinese science fiction. Liu Cixin's essay, The Worst of All Possible Universes and The Best of All Possible Earths, gives a historical overview of SF in China and situates his own rise to prominence as the premier Chinese author within that context. Chen Qiufan's The Torn Generation gives the view of a younger generation of authors trying to come to terms with the tumultuous transformations around them. Finally, Xia Jia, who holds the first Ph.D. issued for the study of Chinese SF, asks What Makes Chinese Science Fiction Chinese?.

About this title

About the Author

Ken Liu is the winner of the Nebula, Hugo, Locus, World Fantasy, Sidewise, and Science Fiction & Fantasy Translation Awards. He is the author of The Grace of Kings and The Wall of Storms, in his epic series The Dandelion Dynasty. He is also the translator of Cixin Liu's Hugo-winning and Nebula-nominated The Three-Body Problem.

Review

'Even what doesn't happen is epic' London Review of Books. 'An excellent introduction to Chinese Science Fiction and the subtleties of woven symbology and allegory as intellectual discourse. To characterise some this content as stories of protest would deny them their detail, layers and intelligence' Concatenation. 'Whether or not Chinese SF really is a creature all to itself, on this evidence it's certainly worth reading' Interzone. 'With stories ranging over social control, world-building rats and redundant robots who have outlived the humans who made them, this is a collection that will stimulate and delight' Daily Mail. 'A wonderful collection, it's thoughtful and entertaining fiction that as a western reader opens your eyes to science fiction written by a different, rich culture. My favourite short story collection of the year' SF Book Reviews. 'Dreamlike and hypnotic, evocative and inspiring' The Bookbag. 'There is fabulous variety in this book, ranging from hard Science Fiction to near-future social Science Fiction ... a fine collection' SF Crowsnest.

Edition details

• Publisher: Head Of Zeus
• Publication date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1784978809
• ISBN 13: 9781784978808
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 383