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Exhalation: Stories

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'Exhalation: Stories' by Ted Chiang is a collection of thought-provoking science fiction stories that delve into philosophical questions like free will, consciousness, and the impact of technology on humanity. Chiang's writing style is described as calm, clear, and deeply engaging, allowing the meaning of the stories to shine through the scientific concepts explored. The stories cover a wide range of themes, from time travel to the nature of existence, all tied together by universal questions about humanity and the universe.

The book features a mix of speculative technologies and philosophical undertones, expertly formulated to create compact yet suggestive narratives. Chiang's storytelling is praised for its cleverness without sacrificing the human element of the stories, making readers care about both the characters and the speculative concepts presented. Each story in the collection offers a unique and immersive experience that challenges readers to think deeply about the complex issues explored.

Characters:

Characters are diverse and often placed in ethical dilemmas, driving thought-provoking narratives that invite emotional engagement.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by clarity and accessibility, seamlessly integrating philosophical concepts with engaging storytelling through effective metaphors and analogies.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features imaginative explorations of philosophical questions framed by science fiction themes, focusing on complex scenarios involving time travel, artificial intelligence, and the nature of human existence.

Setting:

Settings range widely from speculative environments featuring time travel to intricate robot and AI-centric worlds, enhancing the philosophical inquiries of the narratives.

Pacing:

Pacing varies across stories, with a mix of longer, more intricate narratives and shorter, concise pieces that deliver quick impact.
It has long been said that air (which others call argon) is the source of life. This is not in fact the case, and I engrave these words to describe how I came to understand the true source of life and...

Notes:

"Exhalation" contains nine stories, two of which are new and unpublished before this collection.
"The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate" is a time travel story set in an Arabic context, reminiscent of The Arabian Nights.
"Exhalation" features a robot pondering life, air, and existence in a philosophical narrative.
"What's Expected of Us" explores the illusion of free will through a device that predictably indicates decisions.
"The Lifecycle of Software Objects" raises ethical questions about virtual pets and AI's rights as they learn and evolve.
"Dacey's Patent Automatic Nanny" discusses the implications of AI on childhood development and emotional growth.
"The Truth of Fact, the Truth of Feeling" contrasts oral history with digital life logging, probing the concept of truth and memory.
"The Great Silence," narrated from a parrot's perspective, questions humanity's search for extraterrestrial life while ignoring Earth's sentient species.
"Anxiety is the Dizziness of Freedom" deals with parallel universes and choices through a quantum device that allows communication with one's alternate selves.

From The Publisher:

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

ONE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR

Nine stunningly original, provocative, and poignant stories-two published for the very first time-all from the mind of the incomparable author of Stories of Your Life and Others

Tackling some of humanity's oldest questions along with new quandaries only he could imagine, these stories will change the way you think, feel, and see the world. They are Ted Chiang at his best: profound, sympathetic, revelatory.

Ratings (74)

Incredible (22)
Loved It (37)
Liked It (9)
It Was OK (5)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (157):

Read It (76)
Currently Reading (2)
Want To Read (58)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (20)

4 comment(s)

Loved It
1 month

writing didn't hit me in the chest the same was as

Stories of Your Life And Others but Chiang is nonetheless one of the most thought provoking authors in any genre, let alone science fiction.

 
Loved It
3 months

Un gran ejemplo de ciencia ficcion especulativa, de la que te hace pensar e imaginar que harias en esta situacion si fueras tu, alguna de estas historias son de las mejores que he leido en este genero:

- The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate

- Exhalation

- What's Expected of Us

- The Truth of Fact, the Truth of Feeling

- Anxiety Is the Dizziness of Freedom

5 estrellas a todas estas, pero el resto son 3 o 4 estrellas. Estan bien.

Bastante recomendable, lo bueno en una coleccion asi es que si una historia no te interesa, siempre hay otra para compensar.

 
Incredible
6 months

Excellent

 
Loved It
7 months

great stories founded in solid science

 

About the Author:

Ted Chiang's fiction has won four Hugo, four Nebula, and four Locus awards, and has been featured in The Best American Short Stories. His debut collection, Stories of Your Life and Others, has been translated into twenty-one languages. He was born in Port Jefferson,…

 
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