2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Long overdue, June 15, 2007
This review is from: Getting to Know You (Hardcover)
It's interesting that this anthology is called "Getting to Know You", because the eponymous story is the first one I read by David Marusek, one of those few stories that set me on fire about a particular author and their work. Furthermore, reading this book is in a very real sense about "getting to know" David Marusek; I can only hope his corpus grows in the future. The stories here represent every one he's published save for "She was Good, She was Funny", which IIRC was included with a limited edition only.
"Getting to Know You" is really two anthologies in one; half the stories here take place in the "Boutique Economy" of "Counting Heads", and serve as a kind of preamble for that novel. The other stories run the gamut, and are for the most part only loosely tied into science fiction. They are a mixed bag, showcases of cynicism and mordant humor. The best is "The Earth is on the Mend", an astonishingly tense chase packed into just four pages. Also memorable is "Listen to Me", in its chilling portrait of a man addicted to rage. You may want to take Marusek's advice and skip the nauseating "VTV", though even this tale has something to offer in its withering critique of an America obsessed with blood and ratings.
The best stories by far are those dealing with the future world fleshed out in "Counting Heads". They are classic Marusek, with protagonists who are blind or enslaved to truths unrevealed until it's too late. "We Were Out of Our Minds with Joy" is a magnificent novella of romance; it's a director's cut of sorts, clearly longer and more detailed than the first part of "Counting Heads". "Cabbages and Kale, or: How We Downsized America" is the dark horse of the set, a devilishly complex story about a politician forced to make an incalculable moral decision.
The real star of the book, of course, is "The Wedding Album", which remains my favorite SF story. Not only do I never get sick of it, but I glean some new detail from it with each reading. The first time, it was like getting punched in the stomach, yet beautifully tempered by the profundity of its underlying message. Though it comes first in the book, you might want to save it for last if you've never read it before.
Highly recommended.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
5.0 out of 5 stars
Long live Yurek Rutz, June 25, 2011
This review is from: Getting to Know You (Hardcover)
I'm a David Marusek groupie - he's funny, insightful, hugely imaginative, self-deprecating in a 'Rockford Files' way, and thoroughly entertaining. This is a great collection of short stories. Some of the themes show up later in his books and some don't. One of the most delightfully bizarre stories is about an off-kilter Alaskan named Yurek Rutz, who seeks immortality in print. Google it and read that short story free on the web, then pay Amazon for the book.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
5.0 out of 5 stars
Imagination Magnificent, August 23, 2007
This review is from: Getting to Know You (Hardcover)
Matinee grand opening for a star! When you step into one of David Marusek's short stories, you are transported to another world where the super future tech is normal, and the characters are believable and alive. So much so, that after you are finished with the story, you are still there, and it takes a while to focus back on the here and now. It keeps sparking the imagination long after the reading is completed. How interesting! This is definately weekend reading - don't read it on a Monday at lunchtime, or you may not be able to get back to work!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
