essinink's review against another edition
3.0
Accessing the Future: A Disability-Themed Anthology of Speculative Fiction is one of those anthologies that is thematically important, but uneven in execution. I usually read a couple of anthologies or short story collections per year, so I’m used to their mixed-bag nature.
There are 15 stories in this volume, addressing a range of visible and invisible disabilities. There are protagonists that most readers aren’t used to seeing. (e.g. a young woman with spina bifida in “Pirate Songs”, a blind pilot “A Sense all its Own”, and an aging HOH executive officer on a generation ship in “In Open Air”)
There’s also a lot of focus on assistive technology: who owns it, who uses it, and how that which is developed and tested for the disabled may later be marketed to able-bodied consumers as enhancement. (Sarah Pinsker’s “Pay Attention” is one of my favorite stories in this volume.) Rachel K. Jones’ “Courting the Silent Sun” also makes a case for agency in the use of assistive technology, rather than universal enforcement of a ‘cure’ that not everyone may want.
Finally, some of these stories address privacy concerns relating to technological assistance. (“Screens” by Samantha Rich, “Invisible People” by Margaret Killjoy, and “Morphic Resonance” by Toby MacNutt).
However uneven it is as a collection, I’m glad that I read it. Disability in fiction is often ‘inconvenient’-- it tends to be brushed aside, ignored, or compensated for in such a way that it no longer makes a difference in the way that the story is told. But in sweeping visible and invisible disabilities under the rug, creators and consumers reinforce societal taboos rather than facing up to differential experience of the world.
Full Table of Contents:
Props to The Future Fire for compiling these stories. They gave me a lot to think about, and that’s worth a fair bit.
A Note About the Art:
There are eight illustrations in this volume, each with a carefully-written image description on the reverse. With a couple of exceptions, I preferred the concept of each piece over the execution, but it was still a nice inclusion.
There are 15 stories in this volume, addressing a range of visible and invisible disabilities. There are protagonists that most readers aren’t used to seeing. (e.g. a young woman with spina bifida in “Pirate Songs”, a blind pilot “A Sense all its Own”, and an aging HOH executive officer on a generation ship in “In Open Air”)
There’s also a lot of focus on assistive technology: who owns it, who uses it, and how that which is developed and tested for the disabled may later be marketed to able-bodied consumers as enhancement. (Sarah Pinsker’s “Pay Attention” is one of my favorite stories in this volume.) Rachel K. Jones’ “Courting the Silent Sun” also makes a case for agency in the use of assistive technology, rather than universal enforcement of a ‘cure’ that not everyone may want.
Finally, some of these stories address privacy concerns relating to technological assistance. (“Screens” by Samantha Rich, “Invisible People” by Margaret Killjoy, and “Morphic Resonance” by Toby MacNutt).
However uneven it is as a collection, I’m glad that I read it. Disability in fiction is often ‘inconvenient’-- it tends to be brushed aside, ignored, or compensated for in such a way that it no longer makes a difference in the way that the story is told. But in sweeping visible and invisible disabilities under the rug, creators and consumers reinforce societal taboos rather than facing up to differential experience of the world.
Full Table of Contents:
Nicolette Barischoff “Pirate Songs”
Sarah Pinsker “Pay Attention”
Margaret Killjoy “Invisible People”
Joyce Chng “The Lessons of the Moon”
Samantha Rich “Screens”
Sara Patterson “A Sense All its Own”
Kate O'Connor “Better to Have Loved”
Toby MacNutt “Morphic Resonance”
Louise Hughes “Losing Touch”
Jack Hollis Marr “into the waters i rode down”
Petra Kuppers “Playa Song”
A.C. Buchanan “Puppetry”
A.F. Sanchez “Lyric”
Rachael K. Jones “Courting the Silent Sun”
David Jón Fuller “In Open Air”
Props to The Future Fire for compiling these stories. They gave me a lot to think about, and that’s worth a fair bit.
A Note About the Art:
There are eight illustrations in this volume, each with a carefully-written image description on the reverse. With a couple of exceptions, I preferred the concept of each piece over the execution, but it was still a nice inclusion.
shonatiger's review against another edition
3.0
Very pleased with this anthology, not because it’s particularly fantastic — it’s just pretty good — but because there’s so much nuance, and realism, and room for failure, both for characters and also for the authors. This isn’t one of your pandering anthologies, and definitely isn’t here for your inspiration; it’s just here to exist, and I love it for that.
That said, the stories were a mix of really good, not-so-great, and meh. But that’s because I enjoyed some concepts, was completely confused by others, and found a few that really didn’t impress me. That’s a good thing! This anthology is disability-themed, it’s not about disability.
My favourites:
• Better To Have Loved, by Kate O’Connor. I seem to really like stories about loss, going by recent reviews
That said, the stories were a mix of really good, not-so-great, and meh. But that’s because I enjoyed some concepts, was completely confused by others, and found a few that really didn’t impress me. That’s a good thing! This anthology is disability-themed, it’s not about disability.
My favourites:
• Better To Have Loved, by Kate O’Connor. I seem to really like stories about loss, going by recent reviews
casshroom's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
eggp's review against another edition
4.0
You can't ignore them
disabled, but not broken
a worthwhile message.
disabled, but not broken
a worthwhile message.
rxh05d's review against another edition
5.0
I don't think there was one of these that wasn't stellar.
choirqueer's review against another edition
5.0
THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD. SO GOOD!! Every single story and image (including detailed image descriptions for all visual images!) in this book is incredibly well-crafted and sent chills up my spine. I tried to read it really slowly so it wouldn't end so quickly, but it was just so good that I couldn't slow down! My heart nearly broke when I reached the end and there was no more book left. Hoping beyond hope for a volume two!!!
spiraldots's review against another edition
5.0
Review originally written for my blog
So this was the third book I read for Sci-Fi month over on Twitter but I've decided to review it first just because it's so fantastic. I bought this a while ago on Amazon when I had some money left on a gift card then forgot about it for a while until this month. I've been trying to focus on reducing my physical TBR pile for Sci-Fi month (especially as then I can take a photo at the end of them all in a nice stack) but I just had to make an exception for this as it sounded fantastic.
Before we even get to the stories, there is a fantastic introduction which discusses the fact that not only does this attempt to represent a diverse range of disabilities, but it wants to ensure the people portrayed are equally as diverse, acknowledging that a lot of disability awareness focuses on straight white people. I was very impressed with that and glad to know they were making a conscious effort to be as inclusive as possible.
The range of disabilities represented is very interesting ranging from physical to mental, including even discussing how many disabilities are due to culture and so one story is focused on imagining what a future would be like where grief is considered a disability. I won't say too much about the stories themselves but there is a fantastic range and I really enjoyed them all. It's hard to pick a favourite since all the characters are brilliant and well portrayed.
Along with short stories, there are also several pieces of artwork. Each piece of artwork is followed by a description of the image for those who are unable to see it, which I was particularly pleased to see in a collection focused on disabilities. Unfortunately, there is not an audiobook version yet but I hope there will be one eventually to make it even more accessible. Even though my sight is fine, there were details mentioned in the descriptions that I hadn't noticed which helped enrich my enjoyment of the art. My favourite piece of artwork though is definitely the cover, which was one of the reasons I bought the book in the first place.
I highly, highly recommend this collection. It's incredibly diverse and full of great sci-fi. I've already got several friends to buy it just because I've been gushing about it so much and if it was possible to gift Kindle books in the UK, I'd definitely have bought it for several more.
So this was the third book I read for Sci-Fi month over on Twitter but I've decided to review it first just because it's so fantastic. I bought this a while ago on Amazon when I had some money left on a gift card then forgot about it for a while until this month. I've been trying to focus on reducing my physical TBR pile for Sci-Fi month (especially as then I can take a photo at the end of them all in a nice stack) but I just had to make an exception for this as it sounded fantastic.
Before we even get to the stories, there is a fantastic introduction which discusses the fact that not only does this attempt to represent a diverse range of disabilities, but it wants to ensure the people portrayed are equally as diverse, acknowledging that a lot of disability awareness focuses on straight white people. I was very impressed with that and glad to know they were making a conscious effort to be as inclusive as possible.
The range of disabilities represented is very interesting ranging from physical to mental, including even discussing how many disabilities are due to culture and so one story is focused on imagining what a future would be like where grief is considered a disability. I won't say too much about the stories themselves but there is a fantastic range and I really enjoyed them all. It's hard to pick a favourite since all the characters are brilliant and well portrayed.
Along with short stories, there are also several pieces of artwork. Each piece of artwork is followed by a description of the image for those who are unable to see it, which I was particularly pleased to see in a collection focused on disabilities. Unfortunately, there is not an audiobook version yet but I hope there will be one eventually to make it even more accessible. Even though my sight is fine, there were details mentioned in the descriptions that I hadn't noticed which helped enrich my enjoyment of the art. My favourite piece of artwork though is definitely the cover, which was one of the reasons I bought the book in the first place.
I highly, highly recommend this collection. It's incredibly diverse and full of great sci-fi. I've already got several friends to buy it just because I've been gushing about it so much and if it was possible to gift Kindle books in the UK, I'd definitely have bought it for several more.
tigerbalmbby's review against another edition
4.0
Ok so I actually finished it a few days ago but I wanted to write up a review for each of the stories.
Before I do, I wanna say I loved the illustrations that were between every few stories, and I loved that they each had a page describing them in detail. Illustrations good, the descriptions were good too.
Pirate Songs - Nicolette Barischoff
First story was pretty cool, it didn't resonate with me like some of the others though. I thought it had a cool setting and it was intriguing to see the world the author presented. It was interesting to me that the mc had come from a privileged background and despite her disability was obviously better off and more empowered in many ways than those she met. 3.5 stars. I wish it'd been longer.
Pay Attention - Sarah Pinsker
I really enjoyed this one. Class comes into this story as well, in a more contemporary setting. I was so happy for the main character and so sad for them at the same time. I'm not sure what to say about this one except it felt really empowering. I don't know if I share exactly the same kind of thing this character has, but some of the ways it's described felt really relatable. 4 stars
Invisible People - Margaret Killjoy
Good cyberpunk acab story. The paranoia felt too real. 3.5 stars.
The Lessons of the Moon - Joyce Chng
This one made me cry a bit. So short, so sad. I love it. The writing was so special, I really enjoyed the way this one was structured. 4 stars.
Screens - Samantha Rich
One of my favourites. I'm not sure how to describe it, or how to summarise my feelings on it. The concept of a device that can display invisible illnesses is so appealing to me, as it is for the people in this story. But I can relate heavily to how vulnerable it would make you, too. To have everything on display. That's a lot. 4.5 stars
A Sense All its Own - Sara Patterson
This was one of the ones where I just thought the world and characters were pretty metal, awesome, something I'd love to read more of set in this universe. Not as touching as some others for me, but really fun. 3.5 stars
Better to Have Loved - Kate O'Connor
Short and sweet. Bitterly, bitter sweet. Really interesting concept on what disabilities really are. 4 stars.
Morphic Resonance - Toby MacNutt
Honestly, I struggled to understand this one. I'm not exactly sure if I parsed it correctly, and it's a shame because it seems to go into gender stuff more. But I didn't understand the tech being described and I didn't particularly enjoy or get much from it. 2 stars.
Losing Touch - Louise Hughes
God this one was really kinda depressing, but fascinating. What makes somebody a person, an individual? 3.5 stars.
Into the waters i rode down - Jack Hollis Marr
Really interesting writing style. I enjoyed it a lot but I'm having trouble describing why, beyond that I loved the prose and the bond and actions it depicts. 4 stars
Playa Song - Petra Kuppers
Uhhhh I really can barely remember this one sorry. Can't give a proper review, I don't even remember if I enjoyed it.
Puppetry - A.C Buchanen
Another im struggling to remember, though I do remember liking this one quite a lot.
Lyric - A.F Sanches
This one is my favourite in the book. It hit me so hard. Autistic feels. It was such a touching story, one that just felt so...close to home. I definitely understood why the MC chose that animal over something else. I dunno what to say, it made me cry a lot and think about my own stuff in more depth. 5 stars
Courting the Silent Sun - Rachael K. Jones
Not really into romance in stories a lot, but the one shown in this one was pretty nice. I liked the story, but it wasn't something I would seek out. 3.5 stars
In Open Air - David Jón Fuller
This one being the last in the anthology was sort of disappointing. It had a really interesting premise that it didn't go anywhere with. As soon as it was getting somewhere neat it ended. It has good bones though. 3 stars.
Before I do, I wanna say I loved the illustrations that were between every few stories, and I loved that they each had a page describing them in detail. Illustrations good, the descriptions were good too.
Pirate Songs - Nicolette Barischoff
First story was pretty cool, it didn't resonate with me like some of the others though. I thought it had a cool setting and it was intriguing to see the world the author presented. It was interesting to me that the mc had come from a privileged background and despite her disability was obviously better off and more empowered in many ways than those she met. 3.5 stars. I wish it'd been longer.
Pay Attention - Sarah Pinsker
I really enjoyed this one. Class comes into this story as well, in a more contemporary setting. I was so happy for the main character and so sad for them at the same time. I'm not sure what to say about this one except it felt really empowering. I don't know if I share exactly the same kind of thing this character has, but some of the ways it's described felt really relatable. 4 stars
Invisible People - Margaret Killjoy
Good cyberpunk acab story. The paranoia felt too real. 3.5 stars.
The Lessons of the Moon - Joyce Chng
This one made me cry a bit. So short, so sad. I love it. The writing was so special, I really enjoyed the way this one was structured. 4 stars.
Screens - Samantha Rich
One of my favourites. I'm not sure how to describe it, or how to summarise my feelings on it. The concept of a device that can display invisible illnesses is so appealing to me, as it is for the people in this story. But I can relate heavily to how vulnerable it would make you, too. To have everything on display. That's a lot. 4.5 stars
A Sense All its Own - Sara Patterson
This was one of the ones where I just thought the world and characters were pretty metal, awesome, something I'd love to read more of set in this universe. Not as touching as some others for me, but really fun. 3.5 stars
Better to Have Loved - Kate O'Connor
Short and sweet. Bitterly, bitter sweet. Really interesting concept on what disabilities really are. 4 stars.
Morphic Resonance - Toby MacNutt
Honestly, I struggled to understand this one. I'm not exactly sure if I parsed it correctly, and it's a shame because it seems to go into gender stuff more. But I didn't understand the tech being described and I didn't particularly enjoy or get much from it. 2 stars.
Losing Touch - Louise Hughes
God this one was really kinda depressing, but fascinating. What makes somebody a person, an individual? 3.5 stars.
Into the waters i rode down - Jack Hollis Marr
Really interesting writing style. I enjoyed it a lot but I'm having trouble describing why, beyond that I loved the prose and the bond and actions it depicts. 4 stars
Playa Song - Petra Kuppers
Uhhhh I really can barely remember this one sorry. Can't give a proper review, I don't even remember if I enjoyed it.
Puppetry - A.C Buchanen
Another im struggling to remember, though I do remember liking this one quite a lot.
Lyric - A.F Sanches
This one is my favourite in the book. It hit me so hard. Autistic feels. It was such a touching story, one that just felt so...close to home. I definitely understood why the MC chose that animal over something else. I dunno what to say, it made me cry a lot and think about my own stuff in more depth. 5 stars
Courting the Silent Sun - Rachael K. Jones
Not really into romance in stories a lot, but the one shown in this one was pretty nice. I liked the story, but it wasn't something I would seek out. 3.5 stars
In Open Air - David Jón Fuller
This one being the last in the anthology was sort of disappointing. It had a really interesting premise that it didn't go anywhere with. As soon as it was getting somewhere neat it ended. It has good bones though. 3 stars.
starrysteph's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
As with most anthologies, it was a mixed experience. Some of the writing was so creative, and inclusive, and brilliant. There was one story with a poetic, immersive style that totally captivated me. Others were far weaker on plot/characters and tropey-ness. Overall, I loved the idea and ambition but wished for slightly better curation & editing of some of the stories. Also - some needed a bit more length.
cael_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75