Reviews

Every single one of Kim’s short-stories gave me a lot to feel and to think about, but the two title stories (”On the Origin of Species” and ”On the Origin of Species— And What Might Have Happened Thereafter”) shook me to my core. I don’t know what is it about them, but the world Kim created in these stories is so meticulously thought through and well written, they left me in awe. The way all the relevant plot points and twists were so well foreshadowed, my heart dropped every single time. The collection deserves full five stars on these stories alone.

I can’t wait to read more of Kim’s work. Every short-story in this collection reminded me why I love to read (and write) speculative fiction. Although I thought the title stories were the best of the collection, ”An Evolutionary Tale” is the most unique and genre bending of them. This mix of folklore and scifi is exactly what I wish to convey in my own writing.

mworrell's review against another edition

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fast-paced

This is an anthology of short science fiction stories. As I read, I began to sense a rhythm to the way Kim germinates her stories. Many, but not all, of these stories explore societies where there is a widely accepted premise—something almost common sense—that a character challenges and refutes. What if this commonly held fact is only due to our limited understanding? Due to our arrogant assumption that all other experiences besides our own are simply unimaginable?

These stories wiggle that idea like a sore tooth, turning it this way and that. Not all the stories are fully fleshed, but they’re perfect for a quick read on the train. Like glimpses of skin.

Admittedly, the stories dealing with familiar sci fi concepts like time travel and robots engaged me a lot more than the ones dealing with human transmogrification. But if you’re into the fleshiness of transhumanism you might like them. There was one that I couldn’t help but imagine as some strange retelling of Cats (2019).

I need to get Kaya Press’ other anthology of South Korean science fiction, Readymade Bodhisattva. I read some early translations from Professor Sunyoung Park since I took (and failed—ha) several of her classes. (She provides an afterword for this book.) If you want to get into South Korean science fiction, either of their collections are good starting points.

Content Warnings

boricuabookfairy's review against another edition

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adventurous informative mysterious reflective medium-paced

5.0

haljonesy's review against another edition

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4.0

This collection of stories by Kim is fantastic. It has some of the more original SF work I’ve read in a while, and the themes presented are handled in a subtle yet striking way.

The stories that stood out most:

Scripter, for its mystery, realism, relatability. Also reminded me of The Girl Who Was Plugged In by Tiptree.

On the Origin of Species, for its interesting treatment of the cycle of evolution and information.

Stars Shine in Earth’s Sky, because it was beautiful and broad.

hcross's review against another edition

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5.0

I really wish I could give this book more than five stars. I could almost compare my love for these stories with the love portrayed in one of them that certain life forms feel for certain other life forms, like I never want to be away from them.

scribblepost's review against another edition

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5.0

I was knocked out by this, and am still thinking about these stories—particularly the title one and "Scripter," which I found moving and strange and unexpectedly beautiful. Young's prose is direct, often a little cold, sometimes humorous. Her imaginative depiction of post-human existence combines science, philosophy, literature, and horror. I usually have no desire to re-read something, no matter how much I liked it (so many books, so little time)—but this one merits a revisit.

galaxsea's review against another edition

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reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

5.0

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