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Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine
October/November 1998

This month's issue of Asimov's features a Reflections column by Robert Silverberg that looks at the controversy raised by the discovery of some bones. After the bones were examined, they were found to be nearly ten thousand years old with Caucasian features. Unfortunately, that has raised a controversy as a North American native tribe has claimed the bones to be those of their ancestors and are demanding it back for burial. Scientists oppose the move as they need the bones for further studies that may rewrite the early history of human habitation on the American continent.

Stories featured in this issue are:

"Taklamakan" by Bruce Sterling is a look at a future with the world divided into three trading blocks and spies are sent in to look at what is being done in the desert of Taklamakan. What they discover is intriguing, wonderful, dangerous and a hint of what governments may do to minority tribes that cause trouble. Plus you get a look at how to 'evolve' robots and how they may look like.
"Through the Wall to Eggshell Lake" be Danith McPherson takes a studied look at what a man would do go save his son. Aliens land and want to study humanity and do so using powers that can create a pocket universe with unusual healing powers. But those powers has its limits as the man finds out.
"Quantum Commode Theory" by R. Neube is a funny tale about how people from the future try to affect the past by sending back information to one man who must try to change events. But the method of sending data is unconventional and somewhat weird.
"Fall From Grace" by Cory Doctorow looks at how software development may take place in the future. Instead of concentrating in Silicon Valley (or its current day equivalents), one team is located in the heart of Costa Rica. But trouble comes in the form of an 'old' hacker whom the team feels is over the hill. How he fits into the team is a question to be answered.
"Odd Coupling" by Joe Haldelman looks at two people and an unusual morphing creation try to deal with possible inhabitants of a world. The end result is both funny and a little chilling.
"Waiting for the End" by Robert Silverberg looks at an alternate history story where the Roman Empire still exists and is now facing invasion by its eastern counterpart, the Byzantine Empire. It has many fascinating historical details.
"The Wreck of the Gladstone" by Kage Baker is another of Baker's tale about immortals going through the history of the world. In this one, an expedition sets out to retrieve a painting from the wreckage of a ship. But things get complicated when another (mortal) treasure hunter also appears.
"Whiptail" by Robert Reed starts out at what looks like a visit to a now nearly deserted town. But as the story develops, strange 'deviations' from our world slowly become apparent until, near the end, the divergence is clear and reveals a world very unlike our own.
"Binding Energy" by Daniel Marcus tells the tale of a man who struggles with living after using nuclear weapons. Not much I can say about this short tale.
"The Summer Isles" by Ian R. MacLeod takes a look at a very different Britain after a very different outcome to the Great War. In this Britain, Jews and homosexsuals are prosecuted and one old historian has to come to terms with his past as he gets a chance to meet the Prime Minister who has a dirty dark secret.

[Home Page][Index of Reviews][September 1998][December 1998]

Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine October/November 1998

Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine
October/November 1998