First published 1988
This collection gathers Brian W. Aldiss's most accomplished science fiction tales, spanning his career from early breakthrough stories to mature works. The selection showcases his range across subgenres, from hard science fiction explorations of technology and space travel to more literary examinations of human nature in altered circumstances. Aldiss demonstrates his skill with both intimate character studies and sweeping cosmic narratives. The stories reveal his particular talent for blending scientific speculation with psychological insight, creating futures that feel both alien and recognizably human. Each tale reflects his evolution as a writer while maintaining the inventive spirit that established him as a major voice in science fiction. The collection serves as both an introduction to Aldiss's work and a retrospective of his contributions to the genre.
Genres: short-stories, science-fiction, literary-fiction
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: character-driven, cosmic-narrative
Period: 20th-Century, 21st-Century
328 pages · Hardcover · London: Victor Gollancz