Nebula and Hugo Award-winning science fiction author Connie Willis (Doomsday Book, Crosstalk) explores the terrains of emotion and technology in this collection of three previously published novellas.In 1994's "Uncharted Territory," planetary surveyors Carson and Findriddy find their years of stable partnership thrown into turmoil when starstruck biologist Evelyn joins their team. Their work mainly consists of mapping the planetary surface, struggling with the stupidity of the native beasts of burden and getting fined by their indigenous guide, Bult, for everything from leaving tire tracks in the sand to breathing. However, Evelyn and his favorite show, a soapy dramatization of Fin and Carson's adventures, stir up jealousy and other uncharted emotions between the two explorers.
"Remake," from 1995, imagines a bleak future for the entertainment industry in which movie studios continually update and recycle Hollywood classics with the help of computer effects. Dead actors rule the screen, the rights to use their images often contested in copyright litigation, and the "liveaction" blockbuster belongs to the past. CG editor Tom bears witness as a beautiful girl named Alis searches for a way to dance in the movies. In 2007's "D.A.," high school student Theodora struggles to understand why a prestigious and competitive space academy admitted her when she never applied and does not want to attend.
Willis's lively, funny forays into futuristic territory shine as brightly today as when originally released. With its wistful longing for both the Golden Age of Hollywood and originality itself, "Remake" feels perfect for the 21st century's entertainment climate of film franchise reboots. Its narrator longs for the great films even as he butchers them for money, staying drunk as much as possible. "Uncharted Territory" serves as both a quirky love story and a commentary on political correctness; Carson and Fin must follow strict government regulations in their treatment of the planet, but the same regulations will mean little to the government if the planet turns out to contain valuable resources. Willis skewers military sci-fi tropes to hilarious effect in "D.A.," including the sly gag of an admiral boasting that the space academy recruits "the very best of the best of the best."
In all three stories, the protagonists find their narrow concepts of life challenged and expanded by possibilities created through technology. As a collection, these smart, accessible shorts make for an entertaining initiation or reintroduction into the world of one of sci-fi's greatest treasures. --Jaclyn Fulwood, blogger at Infinite Reads
Shelf Talker: In three fiction pieces from sci-fi master Connie Willis, planetary explorers, futuristic starlets and unruly teenagers find their lives upended in funny, touching ways by technology.