"The twenty-first century, it's often remarked, will transform our knowledge of biology, in the same way that the twentieth century transformed physics. With knowledge of course, comes application. And with the application of all we are learning about genetic engineering come social and ethical questions, some of them knotty. This is where science fiction enters, stage left. Scientific laboratories are where the new technologies are rehearsed. Science fiction rehearses the implications of those technologies. What might we eventually do with out new-found power? Should we do it? Who should do it? Who will be affected? How? Is that a good thing or not? For whom? Of the thirteen stories in this book, eight of them are concerned with what might come out of the beakers and test tubes and gene sequencers of microbiology. Not everything in these stories will come to pass. Possibly nothing in them will; fiction is not prediction. But I hope the stories at least raise questions about the world rushing in onus at the speed--not of light--but of thought." -- Nancy Kress from her introduction
Although you can't judge a book by its cover, sometimes you can make a few good guesses about it based on the title. This is definitely true of Beaker's Dozen, a collection of short stories by renowned SF author Nancy Kress, who writes, "Of the thirteen stories in this book, eight are concerned with what might come out of the beakers and test tubes and gene sequencers of microbiology." What modesty prohibits Kress from adding is that all of the stories are excellent works by one of SF's finest writers. The highlights here are Kress's Hugo and Nebula Award-winning story "Beggars in Spain" (later expanded into an acclaimed novel of the same name), and the Nebula Award-winning story "The Flowers of Aulit Prison." --Craig E. Engler
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
As good as it gets...:
This is Nancy Kress at her best: exploring various styles and possibilities in short stories, the only constant her keen and insightful writing... There is everything here, from fantasy to biotech to futurism to... well - reality slightly affected by paranormal - "Phone Repairs". And, incidentally, among many very different and all excellent stories in this collection, this is my favorite: heart -wrenching story of alienation and despair, of yearning for happiness and inner peace, so real and so... probable... more info
Fascinating Collection of Short Stories by Nancy Kress, a Hugo Award Winner:
The novella, Beggars in Spain, the longest story in this collection titled Beaker's Dozen, earned Nancy Kress the Hugo award in 1991. Subsequently, Kress extended this story to a full length novel and created two sequels, Beggars and Choosers and Beggars Ride. Beggars in Spain occurs in the near future when genetic modification of children has become possible, although it is generally available only to the wealthy. Roger Camden, a prominent financier, overrides his wife's reservations and has a genetic... more info
Highly Entertaining, Highly Intelligent Writing:
You don't have to be a science-fiction fan to enjoy the stories of Nancy Kress. In fact, you don't even have to know anything about science-fiction. If you enjoy well written, intelligent writing with remarkably believable characters, Kress is for you.
This collection starts off with a bang. "Beggars in Spain," the Hugo and Nebula winning story deals seriously with genetic engineering and prejudice when a group of "sleepless" children are born. Also outstanding are "Ars Longa" (about what it may have been... more info
Just Finished This Collection:
This collection has been around for awhile, but I just found it. I highly recommend it to all fans of Nancy Kress
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