by Wijeratne, Lawrence, Werbeloff and Rice
I read this collection for 42. A cyberpunk book
What a wonderful collection of independent story stories that give a gentle nod to each other.
In Deep Ocean Blues by Yudhanjaya Wijeratne we are dropped into a world far beneath the surface of the ocean where perceptions of the self are questionable, and the beeps of machinery seem like legitimate emotions. Wijeratne manages, very quickly, to create a sense of loneliness and a sense of aloneness in the reader that the protagonist Parul must have felt too. It is because of this empathy with her that the event of the story are believable to the reader.
Deep Blue Oceans left me feeling sad and a bit adrift.
In The Memory Hacker, JT Lawrence looks at the idea of memory and whether losing and/or regaining them is necessarily something worth doing. If our memories make us who you are, do we lose something of ourselves if they are lost (or erased)? And if past you erased memories, would present you trust that decision enough not to undo it? These are the questions I was left pondering after this tale. When Talia is told she had given birth previously, but had no memory of it, she travels down a path many of us would probably follow.
Lawrence always manages to create futuristic worlds that feel so likely it is frightening.
Melting Shlemiel by Jason Werbeloff is a peculiar story combining religion, sexuality, and tough decisions in an odd future. When Shlemiel discovers a secret venue in which to reveal himself, both physically and emotionally, to others, it changes everything. When this sanctuary also becomes important to the nation as a whole, he has to decide whether to keep it safe for himself, or risk losing it by sharing it.
The premises of the story are unusual, but the quandary he finds himself in is very easy to relate to. We all think we would do right by the greater number of people, but if i were really in his position, I am not sure what I would do. To give up personal freedom for the freedom of others is truly noble and this story had me questioning my own nobility, or lack thereof.
The final story in this quadruple deliciousness is The Camille by Colby R. Rice. An interesting look at a world where nanotechnology has gone to the nth degree, where technology can do pretty much everything.
Besides the narrative (which is hard to discuss the narrative without spoilers) this story had me questioning how aware any of us are of the ultimate repercussions of anything. What seems like a good idea now, such a nanotechnology or any single personal decision and action, may spiral so far out of control as to create completely unexpected results. I felt that this story, of the four, was the most a cautionary tale. One we won’t heed.
All in all, a very good collection of stories, all really worth reading. And a good way to be introduced to these four authors if you haven’t already read them. In every single case, these stories will make you want to explore the author’s other works.