'Broken Stars: Contemporary Chinese Science Fiction in Translation' by Ken Liu is a collection of sixteen short stories from various Chinese authors, exploring themes of family, love, friendship, and science fiction. The stories range from alien encounters to time travel, with a focus on human emotions and relationships. also includes three essays delving into the origin and rise of Chinese science fiction, offering readers a diverse and intriguing glimpse into the world of Chinese speculative fiction.

Characters:

Characters are diverse and often emphasize relational themes like love and family, while also engaging with philosophical questions about their worlds and technologies.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by smooth prose that communicates complex ideas while remaining accessible. It spans various tones, accommodating both casual and deep engagement with the material.

Plot/Storyline:

The collection consists of diverse narratives that tackle themes of technology, history, and human relationships. Each story brings a fresh perspective to common science fiction tropes, enriched by cultural elements.

Setting:

The settings are diverse, ranging from imaginative and futuristic to historically grounded, enriching the storylines with cultural specificity.

Pacing:

Pacing is varied across the anthology, with some stories fast-paced and gripping, while others are more exploratory and contemplative.

Notes:

Broken Stars is a collection of translated Chinese science fiction stories curated by Ken Liu.

The anthology has not been published in China but features stories previously released in Chinese magazines.

One standout story is "What Has Passed Shall in Kinder Light Appear" by Bao Shu, which involves a narrative that flows in reverse while characters move forward.

Themes in many stories include emerging technologies, alternate histories, and the human condition.

Ken Liu is praised for his translation skills, making complex ideas accessible.

The book features 16 short stories and 2 essays, highlighting the richness of Chinese sci-fi.

Readers appreciate the emotional depth, often exploring love and family bonds amid sci-fi plots.

Some stories offer fresh takes on familiar sci-fi concepts like AI and time travel, prompting readers to think critically about society and history.

The collection includes works from various acclaimed authors, such as Liu Cixin, known for "The Three-Body Problem."

Some readers found the stories to be a refreshing perspective, especially for Western audiences unfamiliar with Chinese culture.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

There are some content warnings related to themes of despair and societal critique, making the emotional tone medium in intensity.

From The Publisher:

LOCUS AWARD FINALIST FOR BEST ANTHOLOGY

Sixteen short stories from China's groundbreaking science fiction writers, edited and translated by award-winning author Ken Liu.

In Hugo award-winner Liu Cixin's 'Moonlight,' a man is contacted by three future versions of himself, each trying to save their world from destruction. Hao Jingfang's 'The New Year Train' sees 1,500 passengers go missing on a train that vanishes into space. In the title story by Tang Fei, a young girl is shown how the stars can reveal the future.

In addition, three essays explore the history and rise of Chinese science fiction publishing, contemporary Chinese fandom, and how the growing interest in Chinese SF has impacted writers who had long laboured in obscurity.

By turns dazzling, melancholy and thought-provoking, Broken Stars celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of SFF voices emerging from China.

Stories include:

"Goodnight, Melancholy" by Xia Jia

"The Snow of Jinyang" by Zhang Ran

"Broken Stars" by Tang Fei

"Submarines" by Han Song

"Salinger and the Koreans" by Han Song

"Under a Dangling Sky" by Cheng Jingbo

"What Has Passed Shall in Kinder Light Appear" by Baoshu

"The New Year Train" by Hao Jingfang

"The Robot Who Liked to Tell Tall Tales" by Fei Dao

"Moonlight" by Liu Cixin

"The Restaurant at the End of the Universe: Laba Porridge" by Anna Wu

"The First Emperor's Games" by Ma Boyong

"Reflection" by Gu Shi

"The Brain Box" by Regina Kanyu Wang

"Coming of the Light" by Chen Qiufan

"A History of Future Illnesses" by Chen Qiufan

Essays:

"A Brief Introduction to Chinese Science Fiction and Fandom," by Regina Kanyu Wang,

"A New Continent for China Scholars: Chinese Science Fiction Studies" by Mingwei Song

"Science Fiction: Embarrassing No More" by Fei Dao

For more Chinese SF in translation, check out Invisible Planets.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

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Broken Stars: Contemporary Chinese Science Fiction in Translation

Ken Liu