This was my first foray into the writing of Peter F. Hamilton, and following this experience I can definitely say I'll be reading more of him in the future.My favourite story by far is the first one in the book, 'Watching Trees Grow', which follows a murder solved over the course of several centuries as more evidence comes to light.I love the thematic undertones present in all the stories of what makes us human, and the idea that our obsession with technology is driving us to leave parts of ourselves behind.These are really clever stories, extremely well written, from a wildly imaginative mind. Pretty good collection of SF-stories. I haven't yet read his longer works (I have one in my book case to read later this year). I did like the first story, because of it's long term vision, and a nice detective plot. I also quite liked the last story of the collection ('Manhattan in reverse'), that is a good story in the old tradition of SF, with strange biology (Always fun), and some interesting plot reversals in the end, with something to say about our society as well. The stories in between were a mixed bag, I must say. I liked the worlds Hamilton describes, but the characters fall a bit flat, the descriptions and dialogues are not that involving, I was kept at a distance. And the idea's in the stories were not that mindblowing. I was not as enthusiastic as I expected to be. Not really a collection I will return to soon.
What do You think about Manhattan A L'envers (2012)?
Brilliant series of stories especially those involving Paula Mayo A must read!
—sarbear
A great collection of short stories by a master of the science fiction genre.
—Liz
A short story collection from the king of Space Opera. Pretty damn good!
—joanne
Brilliant ideas as usual, slightly disjointed in places.
—sliceofheaven30
