Mini-Masterpieces of Science Fiction

A superb collection of short, science fiction tales by this genre’s contemporary, and emerging, masters. Unabridged readings by Vanessa Hart and Tom Dheere (228 minutes on 3 audio CDs). Alien communications are deciphered as the Earth is destroyed in “Last Contact” by Stephen Baxter. A young girl auto-asphyxiates to communicate with another world in Elizabeth Bear’s “The Something-Dreaming Game.” A robot aids a boy’s search for a better life in “Far as You Can Go” by Greg van Eekhout. A girl lives in the shadow of her super-hero grandmother in Carol Emshwiller’s “Grandma.” A sheepherder discovers a space ship wreck in “Lambing Season” by Molly Gloss. The bright and the blind intersect in Joe Haldeman’s Hugo Award winning story, “None So Blind.” A boy hires an assassin to save his sister in “Kin” by Bruce McAllister. Genetic engineering reaches its ultimate climax in Paul J. McAuley’s “Gene Wars.” Future wars require great sacrifices in “Bright Red Star” by Bud Sparhawk.

Infinivox has been publishing their Great Science Fiction Stories series for several years, and every title is worthwhile. Now they present this collection of stories on the short end of short--nine unabridged stories are presented in just under four hours. Tom Dheere and Vanessa Hart do a tag-team delivery, each taking a turn reading a complete story before handing the microphone to the other. Their performances are credible and satisfying. The authors represented are well known to science fiction fans: Greg van Eekhout, Elizabeth Bear, Paul J. McAuley, Molly Gloss, Bud Sparhawk, Carol Emshwiller, Joe Haldeman, Stephen Baxter, and Bruce McAllister. This enjoyable collection would serve as a nice introduction to contemporary short science fiction. S.D.D. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine