‘What Continues, What Fails…’ by David Brin
This story unashamedly treads both the hard and soft paths of science fiction. The hard part takes the form of speculation about the nature of black holes. The soft part takes the form of speculation about the structure of a society that takes to the stars. These two halves are bonded together by a shared and literalised metaphor of motherhood. So on a technically level it is extremely satisfying in its construction. However, as befits its subject matter, it is a rather chilly story and for me there was no spark that brought it to life.
Quality: ***
Hardness: *****
From the introduction:
Brin is of the old school of Campbellian hard sf, adept at storytelling manipulation and stock characterization in the colorful mode of Robert A. Heinlein — clever, facile, slick, entertaining, with a clear and usually unornamented prose style. His thriving career is proof that there is still a large and enthusiastic audience for science fiction that incorporates few of the literary changes and devices that have entered the field in the last three decades.
Damning with faint praise or back-handed compliment?
Written by Martin
7 February 2011 at 20:49
Posted in sf, short stories
Tagged with david brin, the ascent of wonder
2 Responses
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I suspect that was intended as a direct compliment.
David Moles
16 February 2011 at 05:51
[...] Hilbert Schenck ‘Tangents’ by Greg Bear ‘Johnny Mnemonic’ by William Gibson ‘What Continues, What Fails…’ by David Brin ‘Mammy Morgan Played the Organ; Her Daddy Beat the Drum’ by Michael F. Flynn [...]
The Ascent Of Wonder: The Evolution of Hard SF, edited by David G Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer « Everything Is Nice
23 February 2011 at 14:54