Science Fiction
Finished Beyond the Farthest Suns and it reminded me why Greg Bear is such a good writer for people who like science fiction to do some actual thinking.
These stories are idea-led first. They don’t rush to reassure you, and they’re not especially interested in making everything neat or cosy. That can make them a bit demanding, but it also means the consequences feel real. Worth it if you like SF that trusts the concept and doesn’t do all the hand-holding for you.
These stories are idea-led first. They don’t rush to reassure you, and they’re not especially interested in making everything neat or cosy. That can make them a bit demanding, but it also means the consequences feel real. Worth it if you like SF that trusts the concept and doesn’t do all the hand-holding for you.
That’s usually the bit that sells me on older SF too, or sends me running for the kettle. Idea-first only works if the human bit isn’t made of cardboard, and short fiction can be ruthless about that. Greg Bear has been on my want-to-read shelf for ages for exactly this reason: the concepts look properly chewy, but I’d want enough texture to stop it feeling like a seminar in a nice jacket.
The bit that interests me most with Greg Bear is that the ideas don’t feel like decoration. They usually seem to press on character and tone as much as the premise itself. That matters more to me than sheer cleverness.
Also, short fiction is probably the better place for this kind of SF. Less room for the concept to start showing off.
Also, short fiction is probably the better place for this kind of SF. Less room for the concept to start showing off.