Two stories in so far, both have a lot to recommend themselves. The first "Pocketful of Dharma", the writing is masterful, I like the bioengineered city, the characterization is wonderful. I like Soldier Wang very much. The writing is beautiful and poetic, and the story draws you along. You are shown the dichotomy of the two worlds, one inhabited by the very poor, and the bioengineered city of Huojianzhu, inhabited by the very rich. Soldier Wang ends up with something priceless, in more ways than one, that sets him apart, and gives him a special kind of freedom that even wealth can not offer. The second story, "The Fluted Girl", offers us another future where the rich manipulate the poor, in this story the powerful literally shape the form of those they control. Again, the writing is beautiful and poetic, and there are a number of dissonances created by the use of everyday words that can be used in both a figurative and literal sense, so I found my mental image of the world having to shift itself a little at times, as I realised that something I was reading on a figurative level was in actuality meant literally. Ever since WINDUP GIRL I've been a huge fan of Bacigalupi's work. PUMP SIX AND OTHER STORIES only manages to sustain my admiration for his writing and imagination. While at times grim, and even downright cynical, the stories in this collection strike deep human truths about greed, capitalism and the inexorable progress of mankind's survival at any cost. It's a fantastic collection of works, and one of those few time I felt myself wilt a little when I finally realized I had reached the end.
What do You think about Pump Six (2010)?
Not my normal fare but I enjoyed it a lot. The Fluted Girl and Softer particularly stayed with me.
—RAISA_DJESUS
Most of these stories were good. Definately a set of themes surrounding IP and such.
—Dicy
Brilliantly written, incredibly imaginative, and overwhelmingly depressing.
—pdbush1
