It is an exceptional, comprehensive retrospective that proves why John Varley is one of the masters of speculative short fiction.
- Masterful Core: The collection features 18 stories, including iconic, award-winning masterpieces like "The Persistence of Vision" and "Press Enter [ ]".
- Visionary Themes: Varley's groundbreaking, 1960s counter-culture-infused explorations of transhumanism, gender fluidity, and human identity still feel incredibly ahead of their time.
- Autobiographical Gold: The extensive, deeply personal introductions provided by Varley for each piece effectively build a fascinating, candid blueprint of his entire life and career.
- The Catch: Because it covers three decades, a few of the earlier, weaker entries feel dated or rely on overly simplistic "free-love" sci-fi tropes that don't match the brilliance of his best work.
It is an absolute must-read primer for anyone looking to understand the evolution of modern science fiction.
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