From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Bacigalupi's stellar first collection of 10 stories displays the astute social commentary and consciousness-altering power of the very best short form science fiction. The Hugo-nominated The Calorie Man explores a postβfossil fuel future where genetically modified crops both feed and power the world, and greedy megacorporations hold the fates of millions in their hands. The People of Sand and Slag envisions a future Earth as a contaminated wasteland inhabited by virtually indestructible post-humans who consume stone and swim in petroleum oceans. The Tamarisk Hunter deals with the effects of global warming on water rights in the Southwest, while the title story, original to this volume, follows a New York sewage treatment worker who struggles to repair his antiquated equipment as the city's inhabitants succumb to the brain-damaging effects of industrial pollutants. Deeply thought provoking, Bacigalupi's collected visions of the future are equal parts cautionary tale, social and political commentary and poignantly poetic, revelatory prose. (Apr.)
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Review
Bacigalupi's stellar first collection of 10 stories displays the astute social commentary and consciousness-altering power of the very best short form science fiction. Deeply thought provoking, Bacigalupi's collected visions of the future are equal parts cautionary tale, social and political commentary and poignantly poetic, revelatory prose. (Starred Review, named to PW s Best-of-the-Year list) --Publishers Weekly
These are not subtle stories. Bacigalupi makes no secret of his social attitudes, but he handles political commentary with grace and packs a lot of thought into quite a small space. These pieces aren t just platforms for cultural critique; they re solid, fascinating world building. ... Fortunately, Bacigalupi still allows the future some possibility for redemption. Every story is well worth rereading. --Booklist
Bacigalupi creates believable, detailed, lived-in futures that just happen to portray an ugly set of sunsets for humanity on Earth. ... Bacigalupi is what you might call the anti-Heinlein: There are no saviors or competent white men in his worlds, just occasions for survival. He s a truly dark bard, in the spirit of Ellison at his most vivid and cynical. --The Daily Camera
These are not subtle stories. Bacigalupi makes no secret of his social attitudes, but he handles political commentary with grace and packs a lot of thought into quite a small space. These pieces aren t just platforms for cultural critique; they re solid, fascinating world building. ... Fortunately, Bacigalupi still allows the future some possibility for redemption. Every story is well worth rereading. --Booklist
Bacigalupi creates believable, detailed, lived-in futures that just happen to portray an ugly set of sunsets for humanity on Earth. ... Bacigalupi is what you might call the anti-Heinlein: There are no saviors or competent white men in his worlds, just occasions for survival. He s a truly dark bard, in the spirit of Ellison at his most vivid and cynical. --The Daily Camera