I first came across Greg Egan's collection Luminous 20 years ago and was floored by the imaginative virtuosity on display. Hard SF at its best, a series of 'what if' stories that didn't outstay their welcome and played to the writer's strength.
Since then he's lost his way a bit, for me. The 'what if' questions have become more obscure, requiring lengthy sections of clumsy exposition. And, even as a mathematically literate person, I struggle to care about some of these concepts he's presenting. What do they mean?
Additionally (this is a long term trend) he's focusing more on the character arc of his cast. This is a mistake, as he just doesn't write interesting characters. This collection contains a story about a refugee girl in a difficult environment who against the odds creates a room temperature superconductor. All fine, but compared with the grand questions of identity and reality of his earlier work, it just merits a shrug.
And then, as others have pointed out, the stories just stop. When you're writing a high concept 'what if' you can get away with that, but with a character driven adventure, this just doesn't fly.
Overall disappointing.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer—no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera, scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Popular titles by this author
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Top reviews from other countries
Captain Pig
Not a patch on his earlier work
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 28 June 2022Verified Purchase
Jean Marie Guieau
Greg Egan needs money maybe?
Reviewed in France 🇫🇷 on 21 July 2022Verified Purchase
Martin Vesely
Not bad but not very good
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 8 April 2021Verified Purchase
Thomas B. Boutell
Great fun, clever premises
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 7 March 2022Verified Purchase
Gregory W. Ash
These stories are more approachable and personal than anything else I've read from Egan.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 20 June 2020Verified Purchase
