For Women's Tales, I present a bit of SciFi...Her Smoke Rose Up Forever
by James Tiptree Jr.
aka Alice B. Sheldon
Published: 2004
Genre: SciFi
Paperback: 448 pages
Overall rating: tba
Description from the amazon:
These 18 darkly complex short stories and novellas touch upon human nature and perception, metaphysics and epistemology, and gender and sexuality, foreshadowing a world in which biological tendencies bring about the downfall of humankind.
SciFi = Science Fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with the impact of imagined innovations in science or technology, often in a futuristic setting.
It differs from fantasy in that, within the context of the story, its imaginary elements are largely possible within scientifically established or scientifically postulated laws of nature (though some elements in a story might still be pure imaginative speculation). Exploring the consequences of such differences is the traditional purpose of science fiction, making it a "literature of ideas". Science fiction is largely based on writing rationally about alternative possibilities.
The settings for science fiction are often contrary to known reality, but the majority of science fiction relies on a considerable degree of suspension of disbelief, which is facilitated in the reader's mind by potential scientific explanations or solutions to various fictional elements. - per wikipedia
Yes, I had to look the meaning up to get my head around this genre. I had an idea of what it was but I wanted a somewhat official word on it.
Please note: as this book is a collection of short stories I will be giving reviews on each story throughout the year. Bits of my bits.
The Last Flight of Doctor Ain
My two-bits:
Rating: 4
As written in the description, this story is one of those that is the beginning of the downfall of humankind.
It was a super short read that got me thinking of kinds of travel - flight and virus.
AND, it reminded me of the song Cover Your Mouth by the bird and the bee, give it a listen here and tell me what you think:
The Screwfly Solution
My two-bits:
Rating: 4
Creepy almost horror-like story that delves into relationships - those that can turn deadly. And, not to far off from a certain type of insect mating ritual.
And I Awoke Found Me Here On The Cold Hill’s Side
My two-bits:
Rating: 3
A look at human's fascination with the exotic in a sexual context.
3
The Girl Who Was Plugged In
My two-bits:
Rating:
The Man Who Walked Home
My two-bits:
Rating:
4
And I Have Come Upon This Place By Lost Ways
My two-bits:
Rating:
5
The Women Men Don’t See
My two-bits:
Rating:
Your Face, O My Sisters! Your Faces Filled Of Light!
My two-bits:
Rating:
6
Houston, Houston, Do You Read?
My two-bits:
Rating:
7
With Delicate Mad Hands
My two-bits:
Rating:
A Momentary Taste of Being
My two-bits:
Rating:
8
We Who Stole The Dream
My two-bits:
Rating:
9
Her Smoke Rose Up Forever
My two-bits:
Rating:
Love Is The Plan The Plan Is Death
My two-bits:
Rating:
10
On The Last Afternoon
My two-bits:
Rating:
11
She Waits For All Men Born
My two-bits:
Rating:
Slow Music
My two-bits:
Rating:
12
And So On, And So On
My two-bits:
Rating:
* part of The Women of Science Fiction Book Club
