"A good anthology"

Vernor Vinge has won several wards for his novels (A DEEPNESS IN THE SKY), and over the last three and a half decades has also produced some of the best science fiction short stories. THE COLLECTED STORIES OF VERNOR VINGE provides most of the author's short stories plus a novella, FAST TIMES AT FAIRMONT HIGH. Most of the tales are well written furbishing the reader with provocative concepts though many of those from before the fall of the Wall seem more alternate history in nature. The added bonus of Mr. Vinge's commentary to most of the contributions provides readers with insight to the author's philosophy. Fans of science fiction anthologies that induce deep postulating on the part of the reader will enjoy this collection, but it is best savored over a couple of weeks.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted December 23, 2001