Then in Division by Zero we get a brilliant mathematician who discovers a formula that actually breaks the laws, principles and whole power of maths. An SF thriller that is very disquieting as we get into their headspace. It’s a darker version of Flowers for Algernon with the language of the character getting steadily more complex and cooler in its view of humans and then leads to an almost Scanner like final confrontation as he realises that he is not alone. In Understand we get a man who gets total knowledge after a terrible accident leaves him needing experimental treatment that keeps boosting his brain. A tale that involves God in SF is always unusual but the final explanation is nimble and uses some unexpected science to create something that is awe-inspiring and still raises questions. All of which is fascinating but the big questions is what will be at the top.

Chiang makes us witness a journey up this immense tower that itself contains cities and Chiang manages to explain concepts of brick building, how sunset and sun rise alter with altitude and we feel this epic trek for the builders. In the opening tale Tower to Babylon you’re slightly shocked to find yourself in the time of Babylon and people building the Tower of Babel. It’s less the scientific concepts but the impact that seems to pull the stories along. As part of this month’s #TidyTheTBR Challenge I finally read Stories of Your Life And Others by Ted Chiang and the title story led to the incredible film Arrival and now I got to sample the original version and also the other interesting stories in the collection.Ī lot of the stories I found in this collection deal with knowledge it’s pursuit and the consequences which I think is a really interesting approach. Instead, they offer different variations on a story’s themes - some good and some not. I don’t agree a book is always better – I look hard at you with The Princess Bride.

Price – £9.99 paperback £5.99 Kindle eBookįrom a soaring Babylonian tower that connects a flat Earth with the firmament above, to a world where angelic visitations are a wondrous and terrifying part of everyday life from a neural modification that eliminates the appeal of physical beauty, to an alien language that challenges our very perception of time and reality, Chiang’s rigorously imagined fantasias invite us to question our understanding of the universe and our place in it.Īdaptations from books are always interesting.

Ted chiang story of your life movie