Scott Harrison (1) (1973–)

Once again, I picked up this book because Paul Cornell has a story in it; I really am obsessed. Voices from the Past is the first (and apparently only) publication of H&H Books, collecting 1,500-word stories from almost thirty of British sf's best authors, released for charity. (Though "British sf's best authors" has a curiously high correspondence to "people who write Doctor Who tie-in fiction".) The linking theme seems to be the title itself; nearly all of the stories have literal or show more metaphorical "voices from the past." (Rob Shearman's, though, has a creepy man-dog creature. We love you, Rob!)

The main thing I learned is that the 1,500-word short story is immensely difficult to write; many of these stories are just an idea, but they're slightly too long to get away with only being an idea. Worse than a story that's just an idea is a story that's just a twist, and that's an all too prevalent mode here. Especially if that twist is just a cliche or a joke I've heard before. I could complain about a lot of those, but instead I'll focus on the good ones, such as Alastair Reynolds's "Ascension Day," which is about a spaceship that stays in a place for years upon years... but is about to take off. But of course, like all good twists, it's not twist, but simply a revelation about what's come before.

Other good ones: Cavan Scott's "Just Do It" was striking and creepy, Jasper Fforde's "Shuttle" had a great, vivid concept, Joseph Lidster's "Success" feels like the flipside of an aliens-invade-London episode of Russell Davies Doctor Who, Maura McHugh's "Mustn't Grumble" puts a poor father/son relationship into a disturbing light, Mur Lafferty's "750,000 of Your Friends Like This" was a great idea and funny even if it wasn't much of a story, Paul Magrs's "The Curious Package" was charming fun, and Robert Shearman's "The Runt" was darkly true in that way that Shearman always is.

So there's some good stuff, but the hit ratio is slightly lower than one might hope for. They're all over quickly, which means that most of the bad ones don't outstay their welcomes (though there are some capable of doing that anyway!). It's an okay book in the end, but you'd kinda hope for better from many of these authors.

All that said, for an eBook-only release, the formatting on this thing (at least in the Kindle edition) is terrible. I can (begrudgingly) understand bad formatting on print book also released as an eBook, but when a book is only an eBook, every line of text consistently being indented on the left side is inexcusably sloppy. Check your work, people! show less

I'm not a Star Trek person but I enjoyed this book. I had to remember what happened in Star Trek: The Motion Picture. When the focus of the book changes to the three characters that's when it becomes very good. The conflicts of the characters is more personal than anything I've seen in Star Trek. The ending being open ended reminds you that Star Trek is a continuing journey. I think that works for the story and the larger universe of Star Trek.

I read book through NetGalley. I thank them and show more the publisher for this book. show less

I'm not a Star Trek person but I enjoyed this book. I had to remember what happened in Star Trek: The Motion Picture. When the focus of the book changes to the three characters that's when it becomes very good. The conflicts of the characters is more personal than anything I've seen in Star Trek. The ending being open ended reminds you that Star Trek is a continuing journey. I think that works for the story and the larger universe of Star Trek.

I read book through NetGalley. I thank them and show more the publisher for this book. #NetGalley show less

This e-novella takes place after V'Ger (1979 film Star Trek: The Motion Picture) and before the next five year mission.

The crew is on a two-week shore leave before the preparations for the next voyager starts and Sulu travelers home to his pregnant wife, Kirk goes home to Iowa to visit his family and Spock travelers to Vulcan to inform about his decision to not continue with the kolinahr ritual.

This short e-novella is perfect for TOS fans that don't mind reading stories taking place between show more or after major events like V'Ger. I can say that I was very pleased reading this one because I love getting a glimpse into the lives of the crew of the Enterprise, despite that nothing serious happens. But for Sulu, Kirk and Spock are these visits very important. Sulu is about to become a father and he knows that he will not be there for his child since he is only on Earth for two weeks. Kirk is visiting his aunt Hanna and uncle Abner and for important his nephew Peter who is in need of someone to talk to and Kirk himself isn't his old self since the loss of Ilia and Decker. Spock is going home, not to pick up the kolinahr ritual again instead he has decided not to deny his human side anymore. So in a way, this may not be earth-shattering events, but it is important for them.

A great short story that I recommend warmly!

I received this copy from the publisher through Netgalley in return for an honest review! show less