In Alien Flesh

I admit that I love short stories. Do be successful, the writer must not only develop the idea in a short amount of time but must make the characters breathe and - most importantly - bring a resolution of sorts. Benford accomplishes all of these and much more. The tales range from good to excellent with the sorrowful "Relativity" balancing out the hilarious "Lennon".

In Alien Flesh is a fine collection of science fiction stories from the brilliant mind of Gregory Benford. Each of these tales is a well-constructed, timely investigation into our technological future, displaying a master's command of both mood and technique. The blurring line between man and machine is explored sympathetically in "Me/Days," (a story narrated by the computer), breezily in "Snatching the Bot," and more seriously in "To the Storming Gulf" (with its post-apocalyptic nod to Faulkner). More often, though, Benford shows the powerful effect technology has on human beings: the xenobiologists who risk their lives to study enormous alien creatures in "In Alien Flesh," the ship's crew racing helplessly towards the end of the universe in "Relativistic Effects," and the doomed tourists in "Of Space/Time and the River." "Time Shards" describes a little-known technology for listening in to the past, but casts doubt on the usefulness of such researches; the story's focus is on a brilliant scientist and an antiquarian who come to realize that their life's work is no more than a mere curiosity. In a more philosophical vein, "Time's Rub" presents a choice between life and immortality in the guise of a simple game offered by an immortal being. Ending on a somewhat lighter note, "Doing Lennon" describes a wealthy man's plan to have himself frozen, then awakened in the next century, where he will claim to be the late John Lennon. The plan works beautifully for a while, and the 21st century treats him like a conquering hero, until the preserved body of Paul McCartney is discovered... Benford's knowledge of contemporary science is probably unequalled by any writer of fiction, and his ability to see the effect of future advances on human beings makes these stories a treat to read. One or two of the stories seemed to bog down a bit, as he gets caught up in too many mundane details, (for example, the scientific grind of "Exposures"), but most of this book is well paced and carefully thought out. This is a top selection for fans of "hard" science fiction, and a good choice for other readers, too.