Schismatrix Plus (1996)

by Bruce Sterling

A sweeping history of man's future in space, a time when humanity has reworked itself in dozens of different ways at the fundamental levels of thought, biology, and technology in order to adapt to its new environment.

 

These scattered, interrelated communities exist within two general, mutually antagonistic factions: the Shapers, who rely on genetic manipulation, and the Mechanists, who rely on advanced technology.

 

Bruce Sterling is an inventive writer with a lively intellect, but his novel often introduces such a barrage of names and factions that it was difficult for me to orient myself.

 

Bruce Sterling

Furthermore, the action sometimes leaps years forward with scarcely any attention given to what happened in between.

 

"Schismatrix +" (French)

Sterling's focus is more on developing his complex history than his characters and the novel suffers as a result.

"Schismatrix Plus" (Czech)

Fortunately, this volume also contains Sterling's short fiction set within the same universe.

"Schismatrix Plus" (Estonian)

Every one of them is a gem--a rabbit punch to the mind with sharply drawn characterizations.

"Schismatrix Plus" (Russian)

 I would recommend reading the stories before the novel. They supply an introduction to the Shaper/Mechanist universe and a firm grounding in its realities that probably would have increased my appreciation of the novel.