A masterclass in Sci-Fi.

To start with the extraneous, if you have listened to any other Cixin Liu audio recordings Bruno Roubicek is as good and measured as always, whether you like him however is down to personal taste. Im a fan personally.

The story's however are what it's all about. Just to note that each 'chapter' isn't necessarily a self contained story, a few are two chapters, which is just a fact it's a nice mix of short to mid length stories.

The stories themselves touch deeply on the essence of the genre depicting the uncomprehendingly grand and immense while depicting humanity in its pursuit rawest elements. It's an impressive meeting of the large and small, the fact that its done repeatedly in multiple short story's only speaks to the talent and imagination of the author. It's got it all really.
I don't write reviews as I normally only read negative ones as I think they tell a better story, if the person is dissatisfied by an area I'm interested in it tells me more I think; that being said this was so good I felt compelled just say I f***ing loved it. It was great and you should listen to it too (or read it) and I like Cixin Liu. He does great work overall.

15 people found this helpful

a beautiful anthology

mesmerising in scope and depth

the final story will sit with me for some time

5 people found this helpful

Heart breakingly beautiful scifi stories

More excellent stories by Cixin Liu. You'll be gripped by the intricate and almost mystical tales of science fiction. Only few authors can capture the spirit of science like Cixin Liu.
If you've read all of his epics you'll find stories that were the seeds for many of them, however unique and captivating as stand alone short stories.

4 people found this helpful

Probably good stories ruined

The narration of these stories is hopeless,

Very slow and flat with no energy put into the story narration at all.

Ruined the stories for me.

The stories, I suspect, are very good but I cannot go further with this horrible narration.

3 people found this helpful

Compelling introduction to Liu's writing

This remarkable collection of short stories exemplifies Liu's extraordinary imagination and compelling scientific underpinnings. As he also writes novels with huge story arcs, these will give you an idea of what to expect. The narration is clear and also animated when the text calls for that.

3 people found this helpful

Boring narrator

Couldn't listen for more than 15 minutes was sending me to sleep at the wheel.

1 person found this helpful

Intriguing

Intriguing different sci fi point of view, mingled with Chinese present rural life . Good reading really well read

1 person found this helpful

Not on scale of the three body problem

Loved the 3 BP trilogy. Stark, but superb. This collection of short stories is slightly hit and miss. Some 3BP quality stories, but many more like Ball Lightning, which I found disappointing. I like Bruno Roubiek's soft delivery, but wonder if greater enthusiasm would help. Not my favourite Cixin Liu book.

Chinese modern equivalent of Arthur Clarke?

I was fascinated by these stories having been a fan of all of Arthur Clarkes( not just 2001 Space Odyssey I am thinking this author is the modern equivalent. I have no idea how accurate the science is or might be but it was made to sound believable!

Simple yet complex

A collection of easy going shorts that provoke the imagination. Some begin as simple and unassuming tales of one person and go on to offer up terrific complex theories, always with an undercurrent of humanity that makes it relatable to us all.