| Broken Stars | |
| Translator: | Ken Liu |
| Author: | Xia Jia, Liu Cixin, Tang Fei, Han Song, Cheng Jingbo, Baoshu, Hao Jingfang, Fei Dao, Zhang Ran, Anna Wu, Ma Boyong, Gu Shi, Regina Kanyu Wang and Chen Qiufan |
| Language: | English |
| Genre: | Science fiction, hard science fiction |
| Publisher: | Tor Books |
| Pages: | 480 pp |
| Isbn: | 9781250297686 |
| Pub Date: | April 14, 2020 |
| Country: | United States |
| Editor: | Ken Liu |
| Media Type: | Print, ebook |
| Isbn Note: | (paperback 1st ed) |
| Url: | |
Broken Stars (or Broken Stars: Contemporary Chinese Science Fiction in Translation) is a science fiction anthology edited and translated by Ken Liu composed of sixteen short stories as well as three essays by different Chinese writers, namely Xia Jia, Liu Cixin, Tang Fei, Han Song, Cheng Jingbo, Baoshu, Hao Jingfang, Fei Dao, Zhang Ran, Anna Wu, Ma Boyong, Gu Shi, Regina Kanyu Wang and Chen Qiufan. It was published by Tor Books in April 2020.[1]
Gary K. Wolfe wrote in the Locus Magazine that "the contributors here may not show much interest in outer space or other traditional SF tropes, but they seem fascinated with questions of time and consciousness." He further wrote, that "some of the other stories reflect the blurring of genre and mainstream boundaries that has been increasingly common in much short fiction worldwide" and that the anthology "demonstrates that contemporary Chinese SF is as multilateral as any SF in terms of theme and form, and just as varied in style." Concerning the translation, he wrote that "Liu’s translation skills, in a couple of instances in collaboration with Carmen Yiling Yan, manage to effectively convey a myriad of distinctive voices without ever ironing over the differences or compromising the readability of the whole."[2]
Erik Hendriksen noted in the Reactor Magazine that "takes a significantly broader look at Chinese science fiction than its predecessor [''[[Invisible Planets]]] did, with over a dozen authors represented." He wrote that "not every story will click with every reader, but a few standouts will captivate all but the crankiest of readers", giving "What Has Passed Shall in Kinder Light Appear" and "The Snow of Jinyang" as an example.[3]
Rachel S. Cordasco wrote in World Literature Today that "while all these stories can be classified as “science fiction,” they successfully push the boundaries of that category, with some leaning more toward the fantastic and mystical, and others taking the historical or hard sf route." She concludes, that "Broken Stars, like Invisible Planets before it, is indeed a praiseworthy accomplishment and a gift for all readers."[4]
Publishers Weekly wrote that the "book’s most provocative stories offer variations on the time travel theme" and that the essays will "further enlighten Western readers, who will be very excited by these outstanding works."[5]
"Goodnight, Melancholy" won the Galaxy Award in 2015.[6]