Who Would Like This Book:
This anthology is a fantastic gateway into the vibrant, imaginative world of contemporary Chinese science fiction. Curated and smoothly translated by Ken Liu, it brings together an impressive range of styles and themes - from dystopian futures and quirky speculative ideas to moving explorations of tradition and modernity. Even if you’ve never read Chinese SF before, you’ll find a lot to delight and surprise you here, with stories that touch on politics, family, robots, and more. Sci-fi fans eager for fresh perspectives, readers curious about global literature, or those interested in social commentary will get the most out of this collection. The thoughtful essays at the end add real depth for anyone wanting to understand the cultural backstory.
Who May Not Like This Book:
If you’re expecting classic Western-style hard sci-fi throughout, you might not find exactly what you’re after. Some stories lean more into allegory, poetic style, or social reflection, which may feel a little abstract or slow-paced. Not every tale is a page-turner, and a few may feel too subtle, experimental, or culturally rooted for readers looking for straightforward plots or lots of action. And, as with any anthology, not every story will hit home for everyone.
About:
Invisible Planets by Ken Liu is a collection of contemporary Chinese science fiction stories that offer a diverse range of narratives, from social commentary to technological fantasy. The book showcases the distinctive characteristics of Chinese science fiction, exploring themes such as political satire, technological advancements, and social issues that resonate both in China and the US. The stories cover a wide spectrum, from hope-filled sci-fi to thought-provoking dystopian futures, providing a rich and varied insight into the world of Chinese speculative fiction.
The anthology includes works by various Chinese authors, translated and edited by Ken Liu, offering readers a glimpse into the imaginative worlds created by these talented writers. With stories that range from interstellar travel to social stratification, the collection presents a blend of hard science fiction, fantasy, and poetic writing that captivates and challenges readers to explore new perspectives on the genre.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of censorship, economic disparity, societal pressures, and mental health issues, which may require consideration for some readers.
Has Romance?
Romance is present in some stories, providing emotional depth and personal stakes, but is not the primary focus of the collection.
From The Publisher:
Invisible Planets, edited by multi award-winning writer Ken Liu--translator of the bestselling and Hugo Award-winning novel The Three Body Problem by acclaimed Chinese author Cixin Liu--is his second thought-provoking anthology of Chinese short speculative fiction.
Invisible Planets is a groundbreaking anthology of Chinese short speculative fiction. The thirteen stories in this collection, including two by Cixin Liu and the Hugo and Sturgeon award-nominated “Folding Beijing” by Hao Jingfang, add up to a strong and diverse representation of Chinese SF. Some have won awards, some have garnered serioius critical acclaim, some have been selected for Year’s Best anthologies, and some are simply Ken Liu’s personal favorites.
To round out the collection, there are several essays from Chinese scholars and authors, plus an illuminating introduction by Ken Liu. Anyone with an interest in international science fiction will find Invisible Planets an indispensable addition to their collection.
For more Chinese SF in translation, check out Broken Stars. Stories: “The Year of the Rat” by Chen Qiufan “The Fist of Lijian” by Chen Qiufan “The Flower of Shazui” by Chen Qiufan “A Hundred Ghosts Parade Tonight” by Xia Jia “Tongtong’s Summer” by Xia Jia “Night Journey of the Dragon-Horse” by Xia jia “The City of Silence” by Ma Boyong “Invisible Planets” by Hao Jingfang “Folding Beijing” by Hao Jingfang “Call Girl” by Tang Fei “Grave of the Fireflies” by Cheng Jingbo “The Circle” by Liu Cixin “Taking Care of God” by Liu Cixin Essays: “The Worst of All Possible Universes and the Best of All Possible Earths: Three-Body and Chinese Science Fiction” by Liu Cixin and Ken Liu “The Torn Generation” Chinese Science Fiction in a Culture in Transition” by Chen Qiufan and Ken Liu “What Makes Chinese Science Fiction Chinese?” by Xia Jia and Ken Liu At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
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1 comment(s)
Really good collection of Chinese SF stories. Best stories are
1. The year of Rat
2.A Hundred Ghosts Parade Tonight
3. Folding Beijing
4. The circle
5. Taking care of God
What can you read after
Invisible Planets?
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