Part of Series
Selected by the author from his output across a quarter of a century, this landmark collection contains the very finest science fiction stories by one of Britain's foremost masters of the genre. From sharply satirical alternate histories to explorations of the outer edges of biotechnology, from tales of extravagant far futures to visions of transformative challenges of deep space, the showcase the reach and restless intelligence of a writer Publishers Weekly has praised as being 'one of the field's finest practitioners.' Stories include: 'Little Ilya and Spider and Box' 'The Temporary King' 'Cross Road Blues' 'Gene Wars' 'Prison Blues' 'Children of the Revolution' 'Recording Angel' 'Second Skin' 'All Tomorrow's Parties' '17' 'Sea Change, With Monsters' 'How We Lost the Moon, A True Story by Frank W. Allen' 'A Very British History' 'The Two Dicks' 'Meat' 'Rocket Boy' 'The Thought War' 'City of the Dead' 'Little Lost Robot' 'Shadow Life' 'The Choice' 'Searching for Van Gogh at the End of the World' 'Karl and the Ogre'
Author
Since about 2000, book jackets have given his name as just Paul McAuley. A biologist by training, UK science fiction author McAuley writes mostly hard science fiction, dealing with themes such as biotechnology, alternate history/alternate reality, and space travel. McAuley has also used biotechnology and nanotechnology themes in near-future settings. Since 2001, he has produced several SF-based techno-thrillers such as The Secret of Life, Whole Wide World, and White Devils. Four Hundred Billion Stars, his first novel, won the Philip K. Dick Award in 1988. Fairyland won the 1996 Arthur C. Clarke Award and the 1997 John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best SF Novel.
