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September 9, 2004
History Shorts
Now, when I ordered Remaking History and Other Stories, I thought it was new. It was actually published in 1994, and furthermore, was a compilation of two separate anthologies, Remaking History in 1991 and The Planet on the Table in 1986. It wasn't the first time I'd read dated Robinson material. I ordered his California Trilogy and read them and was still impressed by the plausability of his subject matter. I was not disappointed, as the stories retain their novelty even today.
Robinson deals with history and alternate history, as well as future history with such depth and detail that it's hard to believe that he hasn't experienced in fact the timelines in which he engages us to travel. "Venice Drowned" takes up a subject matter that Robinson uses frequently, oceans and the rising waters. "The Lucky Strike" involves the split second decisions of Captain Frank January, a man who has to take an atom bomb on a questionable mission following the premature demise of the Enola Gay. "Coming Back to Dixieland" shares with us the hope and despair of five brothers who have one shot of getting out of the asteroid mines, winning a scholarship at a music competition with something old and yet novel: Jazz.
Well worth the read; and usually a story before bed is just what's right. Buy the book here: Remaking History by Kim Stanley Robinson
Posted by Bastique at September 9, 2004 9:00 PM