Twelve Tomorrows 2014

A solid, likable mix of near future sci-fi, from the usual crew of writers (Cory Doctorow, Bruce Sterling, William Gibson, etc.). As with all anthologies, it's hit and miss. Maybe the best story is the first one, by South African author Lauren Beukes, about some semi-post-human athletes. It had shades of Pistorius's story, as well as the usual near future developing country dystopia stuff, and some David Cronenbergian body-horror that was very impressively gross.

Other notables: Cory Doctorow's story felt very “one Cory Doctorow fits all” templated, borrowing its major themes from, well, any of his books. You know: super-smart, anti-authoritarian teen boy protagonist (young Cory stand-in!) who is good with computers, and snarky. This story ain't had NOTHIN' on “Chicken Little”, which is maybe Doctorow's best short story - and one of my fave all-time - but it was decent, and a nice send-up of our algorithmy, data science-driven world.

The rest were mostly exposition-heavy declamations featuring thin characterizations and thinner plots. But - meh. Near future is fun, cuz it's all, like, whoaaaaa that could be usssss sooon.

Three stars for the actual book, four stars for my warm fuzzy feelings about sci-fi.