Book Review: Tesseracts Nine: New Canadian Speculative Fiction

Reviewed By: Cheryl - RAM

Tesseracts Nine: New Canadian Speculative Fiction     Amazon US TPB Amazon Canada TPB
Nalo Hopkinson , Geoff Ryman
Class/Genre:   SF AND Fantasy   [Short Stories]
Series: Tesseracts # 9

There is a peculiar disconnect between the idea of a collection of Canadian short stories and the idea expressed in the preface of this collection of Canadian stories that nationalities are mere inventions to prevent 'thinking and imagining'. Rather, Canada can be a 'universal venue' and a Canadian story can work universally without becoming exotic. This argument seems to fail from several perspectives, not the least of which is the question as to whether or not cultures - or 'venues' - are quite so universal and lacking in foreignness as is assumed. However, the preface at least partly explains why the range in style and theme of the stories in this collection is so broad.

The selection of the stories does not appear to have been made according to any central theme or organizing principle. The only recurring theme is that of humanity - the relationship between humanity and nature, the interaction of humanity and religion or humanity and technology, especially biotechnology. And that, of course, is as it should be. 'Speculative fiction' - in this collection, the term covers everything from science fiction with space explorers to fantasy with supernatural creatures - can allow a broader approach to such themes than can more mainstream and realistic fiction.

This book is not a light and fast read. Some of the stories are a little literary and inaccessible, and some, like the very evocative 'Light Remembered' are rather melancholy. On the other hand, a lonely widow's sudden change of life, as viewed by her frustrated daughter, in 'Mom and Mother Teresa' has a comic side.

Some of the stories even have specifically Canadian settings and together they demonstrate the existance and variety of Canadian science fiction.

Cheryl - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Cheryl - RAM