Customer Reviews

Future Sports

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A very nice selection of ten (10) stories with a bit of science fiction or fantasy involved. The most science fiction is "The Wind From the Sun," by Arthur C. Clarke, though "Stroboscopic," by Alastair Reynolds, comes close to being just as science based. "Man Mountain Gentian" is the obvious fantasy choice.
"Game of the Century," by Robert Reed, was good but, as in real life, there was too much emphasis on the teams and schools winning at all costs. It was real nice to see the end was perfect: the only ones who are truly interested in the outcome are the players; the rest are just basking in the glow. "Streak," by Andrew Weiner, was good because of the odd twist and focus of the story. "Arthur Sternbach...," by Kim Stanley Robinson was the most unusal towards funny story, (how far can you hit a baseball on Mars?).
These stories tended to be longish stories and very entertaining.

Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois have chosen ten science fiction stories that center on a game or sport as played in the future. These stories show us "...winners. And losers. And those who are willing to risk it all for a chance to be better than anyone else can be..." My three favorites from the ten are briefly described below.

Kim Stanley Robinson's "Arthur Sternbach Brings the Curveball to Mars" brings a new gravity to the game of baseball and the relationships between its players--and fans.

Robert Reed's "Game of the Century" achieves impressive characterization of the coaches, genetically-engineered players, and parents involved in the most physically--and emotionally--intense game of college football ever.

Alastair Reynolds' "Stroboscopic" follows a seasoned player into a game based on an alien ecology. A game he is not physically equipped to win.

I bought this book one Christmas for my son to bridge a gap between my interest in science fiction and his in sports. In the long run, it didn't make him a science fiction fan nor me a sports enthusiast. But it made for a few interesting conversations before it went into retirement on the family bookshelf. It is recommended to readers with similar goals.

There are a higher percentage of average or lower stories here than you would like, but some excellent memorable inclusions. Two 5 star efforts is pretty good.

Future Sports : The Wind from the Sun - Arthur C. Clarke
Future Sports : Arthur Sternbach Brings the Curveball to Mars - Kim Stanley Robinson
Future Sports : Man-Mountain Gentian - Howard Waldrop
Future Sports : Winning - Ian MacDonald
Future Sports : The Dead - Michael Swanwick
Future Sports : Game of the Century - Robert Reed
Future Sports : Streak - Andrew Weiner
Future Sports : The Holy Stomper Vs. the Alien Barrel of Death - R. Neube
Future Sports : Stroboscopic - Alastair Reynolds
Future Sports : Vanilla Dunk - Jonathan Lethem


Seven to the fore in this stairsailor space race.

3.5 out of 5


A coach has to adapt the game to the physics of the red planet, and help a young man along the way.

4 out of 5


Sumo spread.

3 out of 5


Enhanced, drug boosted Muslim sprinting sensation.

2.5 out of 5


Zombies make you obsolete, and sell well as sex toys.

5 out of 5


Animal girls and boys are in a football league of their own.

4.5 out of 5


Aliens come for a quick baseball probability check.

3 out of 5


Martian pro-wrestling or wherever, the plot is pretty much the same.

3 out of 5


Serious reality computer gaming science.

4 out of 5


Exo-suit past era superstar basketball skills suck if you get the wrong ones in the lottery. Play defense the natural way, boy.

5 out of 5