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Author | Chen Qiufan, Xia Jia, Ma Boyong, Hao Jingfang, Tang Fei, Cheng Jingbo and Liu Cixin |
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Translator | Ken Liu |
Language | English |
Genre | Science fiction, Hard science fiction |
Publisher | Tor Books |
Publication date | 2016-11-03 |
Pages | 400 |
ISBN | 9781784978815 |
Invisible Planets (or Invisible Planets: Contemporary Chinese Science Fiction in Translation) is a science-fiction anthology edited and translated by Ken Liu composed of thirteen short stories as well as three essays by different Chinese writers, namely Chen Qiufan, Xia Jia, Ma Boyong, Hao Jingfang, Tang Fei, Cheng Jingbo and Liu Cixin. It was published by Head of Zeus in March 2016. [1] It contains the novelette "Folding Beijing", which won the Hugo Award for Best Novelette in 2016, which also marked the first time a Chinese woman has won the award. [2]
In April 2017, Hao Jingfang announced that "Folding Beijing" would be adapted into a movie titled Folding City directed by Josh Kim by Wanda Media. [17] [18] In 2024, the movie is still in development. [19]
"Taking Care of God" also appeared in the collection The Wandering Earth by Liu Cixin and has a sequel, the short story "For the Benefit of Mankind", which won the Galaxy Award in 2005. [20]
Publishers Weekly wrote, that "although greatly varied in theme and approach, all of these stories impress with their visionary sweep and scope." Furthermore, "the inclusion of three essays on the significance of science fiction to China and its writers underscores the thoughtfulness that Liu put into curating this superb compilation." [21]
Stephanie Chan wrote on Strange Horizons , that "the idea persists that the East is, as a general rule, old, mystical, unknowable. But this is exactly the set of assumptions that translator and editor Ken Liu warns against". Nonetheless, "the stories live in a cultural context that cannot be ignored" and "seem to occupy a fascinating space: telling tales through a perspective that is uniquely Chinese as well as through a Chinese interpretation of Western stories." In summary, the anthology "is strewn with familiar landmarks and ideas in a landscape that is notably distinct" and "are largely successful and often offer an interesting take on familiar ideas and motifs." [22]
Kirkus Reviews wrote, that the stories "represent the best in both science fiction and works in translation, detailing situations that appear alien on the surface but deftly reframe contemporary issues to give readers a new view of familiar human experiences." In summary, it is a "phenomenal anthology of short speculative fiction." [23]
"Folding Beijing" won the Hugo Award for Best Novelette in 2016. [2]
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