Cixin Liu used to be on my list of Ten Popular SFF Authors I Haven’t Read (But Actually Want To). Now, I can officially cross him off that list! I was given an ARC of his anthology of short stories and essays, A View from the Stars, and loved it so much that I nearly read it all in one sitting. This anthology takes thought-provoking essays spanning Liu’s career and places them alongside several of Liu’s short fiction pieces. Lie’s fiction and non-fiction are juxtaposed to enormous effect, creating an anthology that will have me returning for years.

Title: A View From the Stars

Author: Cixin Liu

Genres: Science Fiction

Publisher: Tor Books

Release Date: 4/2/2024

Page Count: 208

Blurb:

A VIEW FROM THE STARS features a range of short works from the past three decades of New York Times bestselling author Cixin Liu’s prolific career, putting his nonfiction essays and short stories side-by-side for the first time. This collection includes essays and interviews that shed light on Liu’s experiences as a reader, writer, and lover of science fiction throughout his life, as well as short fiction that gives glimpses into the evolution of his imaginative voice over the years.

Review:

It was a pleasure to journey through Liu’s storied time as a reader, writer, promoter, and lover of science fiction. The essays are what made this collection such a stand-out anthology for me. In “On Finishing Death’s End, the Last Book in the Remembrance of Earth’s Past Trilogy,” Liu argues that science fiction is the product of a carefree mind and that stability and quiet are needed for science fiction to interest us. I enjoyed this essay tremendously. Liu’s thoughts on the conditions needed for science fiction to flourish in China are compelling.

In “The Battle Between Sci-Fi and Fantasy,” Liu takes a more playful approach. Yes, he actually analyzes who would win between science fiction and fantasy. Broomsticks, Zeus, and Harry Potter are all mentioned. He is tongue-in-cheek but also completely serious; this was the most fun of all the essays.

The final essay in the book, “We Are Sci-Fi Fans,” is the real gem of this collection. It’s a profound defense of science fiction, its readers, and its writers. The emotion in this essay is palpable and visceral, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a beautiful essay, and I would proudly wear it as a slogan for the rest of my days.

While the short fiction was a little more hit-or-miss for me, a few stand-out works made this collection incredible. I’ve summarized those three works below, avoiding spoilers as much as possible.

• “Destiny,” in which a couple honeymooning in space destroys an asteroid heading towards Earth, only to realize they may have made a mistake.
• “End of the Microcosmos,” in which scientists attempt to split the quark and must deal with the scientific and societal ramifications.
• “The Messenger,” in which a violist seeking answers receives a message from an unexpected messenger.

Final Thoughts:

If you’re a fan of translated fiction, short-form science fiction, or Liu’s work, this is an excellent collection to pick up this Spring. I can’t wait to read more of Liu’s work in the future.

Rating: 4 stars.

Thanks to Tor Books for an advanced review copy of this book! All the above thoughts are my own.