This much-anticipated second collection of stories is signature Ted Chiang, full of revelatory ideas and deeply sympathetic characters. In 'The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate', a portal through time forces a fabric-seller in ancient Baghdad to grapple with past mistakes and the temptation of second chances. In the epistolary 'Exhalation', an alien scientist makes a shocking discovery with ramifications not just for his own people, but for all of reality. And in 'The Lifecycle of Software Objects', a woman cares for an artificial intelligence over twenty years, elevating a faddish digital pet into what might be a true living being. Also included are two brand-new stories: 'Omphalos' and 'Anxiety Is the Dizziness of Freedom'.
In Exhalation, Ted Chiang wrestles with the oldest questions on earth - What is the nature of the universe? What does it mean to be human? - and ones that no one else has even imagined. And, each in its own way, the stories prove that complex and thoughtful science fiction can rise to new heights of beauty, meaning, and compassion.
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O MIGHTLY CALIPH AND COMMANDER OF THE FAITHFUL, I am humbled to be in the splendour of your presence, a man can hope for no greater blessing as long as he lives. THE MERCHANT AND THE ALCHEMIST'S GATE
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(@picadorbooks, 4 October 2020, 363 pages, ebook, bought from @AmazonKindle)
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I've never read the author before but am familiar with their work from the movie Arrival which I think is amazing. I bought this because it was on sale for 99p and I had no idea what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised. The stories are unlike anything I've read before science fiction with overtones of ancient mythology and teachings. The stand out story is The Lifecycle of Software Objects, an incredible piece of writing which alone is worth buying the book for. I also thought Exhalation and What's Expected of Us were also pretty great. I will need to check out Stories of Your Life and Others now.
