The Mammoth Book of Extreme Science Fiction edited by Mike Ashley

What is extreme science fiction? Ashley helpfully offers a definition in the introduction that it is a story which takes a wonderful idea and uses it to push limits while still remaining a respectable story. The nineteen stories in this book were supposedly arranged in order from least to greatest extremes. I can’t say that I would have followed that same order, but I can say that most of the stories expanded my mind in some fashion. There were times when I became irritated with a story because a concept or alien perspective was particularly difficult to handle, but there was always a payoff at the completion of each story. I definitely recommend assorted collections for readers looking for emerging or even well established authors in a genre; I already have a list of four authors whose works I have to pursue.
This collection has convinced me that I want a portion of my writing to find a niche some place along the vast spectrum of science fiction. The major attraction is that these stories are very memorable, and the impressive range of ideas can make for a damned good story. I can’t resist recounting a few ideas explored in these stories. Two members aboard a 250 million year old spaceship huge enough to contain entire planets and hundreds of coexisting alien species uncover a carefully concealed genocide. Human members exploring a potential colony world are attacked by repulsive blobs which turn out to be their own internal organs. An immortal witnesses the death of the universe. An entire planet made of randomly moving molecules is found to be a computing machine for creatures that live in a separate reality. Humans try to throw a feast in a time where everyone has essentially forgotten how to eat.
This collection has rekindled my love for science fiction. The genre is a beautiful blend of wild exploration and careful experimentation that I find irresistible. These stories push limits in ways that sometimes make me feel small and insignificant. This is actually a very comforting feeling that reminds me not to take myself too seriously. Most of all, it’s just plain fun.