![]() ![]() ![]() In this fantastical and elegant collection, 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. Also included are two brand-new stories: ” Omphalos ” and ” Anxiety Is the Dizziness of Freedom.” ![]() 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. In the epistolary ” Exhalation ,” an alien scientist makes a shocking discovery with ramifications not just for his own people, but for all of reality. 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. This much-anticipated second collection of stories is signature Ted Chiang, full of revelatory ideas and deeply sympathetic characters. Opening line: O mighty Caliph and Commander of the Faithful, I am humbled to be in the splendor of your presence a man can hope for no greater blessing as long as he lives. His first story collection Stories of Your Life and Others is already on my e-reader and I cannot wait to read that as well. Instead of just reading the nominated novella and novelette, I decided to read the entire collection. I am so happy Ted Chiang is nominated for two Hugo Awards this year because that gave me the necessary push to finally read something by him. ![]()
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