by Ted Chiang
First published 2019
A fabric merchant in ancient Baghdad discovers a gate that opens passages through time, forcing him to confront his past failures and consider new possibilities. An alien researcher conducting experiments on his own mechanical body uncovers a truth that will reshape understanding of existence itself. A woman grapples with technology that allows glimpses into parallel worlds where different choices were made, challenging everything she believes about free will and responsibility. These nine tales from Ted Chiang examine humanity's deepest questions alongside scenarios that push the boundaries of imagination. From software objects that develop like living creatures to a device that reveals the illusion of choice, each story presents characters wrestling with discoveries that transform their understanding of reality, consciousness, and what it means to be human.
Genres: short-stories, science-fiction, literary-fiction, speculative-fiction
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: mind-bending, philosophical-questions
Setting: Baghdad, Alien Researcher
Period: Ancient, Futuristic
350 pages · Hardcover · Alfred A. Knopf