What do you think?
Rate this book
Continuum: French Science Fiction Short Stories
Classic French science fiction short stories translated into English for the first time.
This unique collection of newly translated short stories offers a taste of classic and contemporary French science fiction to English-language readers. These stories cover a range of fascinating topics including simulated reality, speciesism, ecology, and transhumanism—all while exploring universal themes of belonging, death, and identity. Some of the authors featured in this anthology, like Julia Verlanger, Sylvie Denis, or Jean-Claude Dunyach, have shaped the history of French science fiction after World War II. Curated by Annabelle Dolidon and Tessa Sermet, French language and literature professors who share a love for the genre, these nine stories showcase some of the brilliant mid- to late twentieth and twenty-first century French contributions to science fiction. Dolidon and Sermet provide illuminating expansions that accompany each tale and fascinating insights into the evolution of French and American science fiction. The discussion opportunities are also a wonderful resource for teachers and students of French literature and French culture as well as English and comparative literature. This anthology is a great opportunity to discover French sci-fi in English translation for fans or readers new to the genre.
This unique collection of newly translated short stories offers a taste of classic and contemporary French science fiction to English-language readers. These stories cover a range of fascinating topics including simulated reality, speciesism, ecology, and transhumanism—all while exploring universal themes of belonging, death, and identity. Some of the authors featured in this anthology, like Julia Verlanger, Sylvie Denis, or Jean-Claude Dunyach, have shaped the history of French science fiction after World War II. Curated by Annabelle Dolidon and Tessa Sermet, French language and literature professors who share a love for the genre, these nine stories showcase some of the brilliant mid- to late twentieth and twenty-first century French contributions to science fiction. Dolidon and Sermet provide illuminating expansions that accompany each tale and fascinating insights into the evolution of French and American science fiction. The discussion opportunities are also a wonderful resource for teachers and students of French literature and French culture as well as English and comparative literature. This anthology is a great opportunity to discover French sci-fi in English translation for fans or readers new to the genre.
283 pages, Paperback
Published April 9, 2024
18 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 16, 2024
Rec. by: MCL; couleur locale (if that's not a faux pas)
Rec. for: Fanatiques et flâneurs
The 2024 anthology Continuum: French Science Fiction Short Stories begins with a long Introduction, wherein editors Annabelle Dolidon and Tessa Sermet work hard to define and justify what they mean by "French" SF, before providing these nine chronological examples. The anthology is presented as a textbook; after each story Dolidon and Sermet include an "Expansion" with author biographies and discussion questions—and although this very Introduction hints that you may choose to skip this material, I found it enlightening.
(Note: I am including YouTube links to several songs that came to my mind while I was reading... clicking through to listen to those is entirely optional!)
The stories, spanning the decades from the 1950s to the present, are:
"The Bubbles" (1956), by Julia Verlanger, translated by Tessa Sermet
A surreal apocalypse, seen through the eyes of sixteen-year-old Monica. There are many kinds of bubbles, you see—and of Others.
"So Far from Home" (1958), by Jacques Sternberg, translated by Brian Mather
Agent 002 has been sent to a hostile planet: Earth, where "every object has its own peculiar stink" (p.60).
The Agent hates pretty much everything about Earth's inhabitants...
My mental soundtrack for this one was T. Bone Burnett's "Humans from Earth" (2m:47s).
"That Which Is Not Named" (1985), by Roland C. Wagner, translated by Annabelle Dolidon
A contrived vocabulary is part of the point—the Shôrs have been paring their own lexicon down for centuries, erasing their history and forgetting concepts... like lying. But you cannot really erase anything just by forgetting its name... can you?
"The Liberator" (1989), by Colette Fayard, translated by Annabelle Dolidon
Agent Piggy is well-(nick)named, and the editors' content warning entirely appropriate for this tale set on a planet ironically under investigation for its culture's barbarity. But... nothing is as it seems on Io Phenix, and what Piggy ends up wanting is ultimately something entirely different from what we were warned about...
"Nowhere in Liverion" (1996), by Serge Lehman, translated by Jean-Louis Trudel
A quiet rebellion against the privatization of all, centered in... Nowhere.
"Inside, Outside" (1999), by Sylvie Denis, translated by Aishwarya Marathe with Annabelle Dolidon
It begins with a manifesto, or part of one, from the "Free and Unique Men," full of high-minded vows and absolutes (never, always). It continues with a protagonist who is neither free nor unique. She was raised within walls, guarded by guns, taught by the faithful. But...
"The Swing of Your Gait" (2009), by Sylvie Lainé, translated by Aurélie Brémont and Jean-Louis Trudel
Apparently Lou's ex-boyfriend has never seen the movie Brainstorm (1983)—because when he binges Lou's recorded experiences, gorging himself on her movements and mannerisms, he is changed far more than he'd bargained for. But the transformation doesn't turn out to be what you'd expect, from such a beginning.
"Beyond the Terminator" (2017), by Laurence Suhner, translated by Sheryl Curtis
Respect for other life forms does not seem to be innate... but it can be learned.
My mental soundtrack for this one featured the obscure B-side track "Singing the Dolphin Through" (8m:18s), from the album The Roaring Silence by Manfred Mann's Earth Band.
"The City, That Night" (2021), by Jean-Claude Dunyach, translated by Tessa Sermet
My mental soundtrack for this one? L7's "Pretend We're Dead" (3m:53s), of course.
Continuum concludes with a list of Additional Readings and Sources about (French) Science Fiction, both worth perusing.
I was pleased and, honestly, rather proud of our fair city when I noticed that Continuum is a product of Portland State University's student-run Ooligan Press, which has previously brought to my attention Allison Green's excellent The Ghosts Who Travel with Me (about Richard Brautigan) and poet John C. Morrison's compelling Monkey Island.
For a small university press in a jumped-up small town like Portland, Oregon, Ooligan Press really punches well above its size.
*
(Table of Contents adapted from the Springfield City Library in Massachusetts, of all places.)
Rec. for: Fanatiques et flâneurs
The 2024 anthology Continuum: French Science Fiction Short Stories begins with a long Introduction, wherein editors Annabelle Dolidon and Tessa Sermet work hard to define and justify what they mean by "French" SF, before providing these nine chronological examples. The anthology is presented as a textbook; after each story Dolidon and Sermet include an "Expansion" with author biographies and discussion questions—and although this very Introduction hints that you may choose to skip this material, I found it enlightening.
(Note: I am including YouTube links to several songs that came to my mind while I was reading... clicking through to listen to those is entirely optional!)
The stories, spanning the decades from the 1950s to the present, are:
"The Bubbles" (1956), by Julia Verlanger, translated by Tessa Sermet
A surreal apocalypse, seen through the eyes of sixteen-year-old Monica. There are many kinds of bubbles, you see—and of Others.
"So Far from Home" (1958), by Jacques Sternberg, translated by Brian Mather
Agent 002 has been sent to a hostile planet: Earth, where "every object has its own peculiar stink" (p.60).
The Agent hates pretty much everything about Earth's inhabitants...
And why is it that men sometimes sit bolt upright in the middle of the night, bathed in sweat, terrified by some nightmare, but that they never sit bolt upright at work, in the much more horrifying nightmare they live every day?I found "So Far from Home" mopey, yet oddly fascinating. And, actually, the Agent doesn't hate everything about Earth...
—pp.64-65
Except for cats, that is. Indeed, the cat is the only thing on Earth that really interests me. Probably because it doesn't seem to belong to this world. What is the source of that indolence it alone possesses, that insolent laziness that seems to thumb its nose at commerce, that ability to live life at such a languid pace amid a frantic world of fits and starts, that pleasure it gets from curling up into a ball, complacent in its apathy, opening an eye from time to time to look out on the madness of the world around it, a world that couldn't possibly concern it? Who knows? Men have often asked themselves the same questions. Strange to think that they tolerate cats. No doubt because they don't understand them. They only understand dogs, their devoted brethren, always craving affection, always ready to perform a thousand clever tricks. In any case, cats are truly the only things on this planet with which I feel some affinity.
—pp.72-73
My mental soundtrack for this one was T. Bone Burnett's "Humans from Earth" (2m:47s).
"That Which Is Not Named" (1985), by Roland C. Wagner, translated by Annabelle Dolidon
A contrived vocabulary is part of the point—the Shôrs have been paring their own lexicon down for centuries, erasing their history and forgetting concepts... like lying. But you cannot really erase anything just by forgetting its name... can you?
"The Liberator" (1989), by Colette Fayard, translated by Annabelle Dolidon
Agent Piggy is well-(nick)named, and the editors' content warning entirely appropriate for this tale set on a planet ironically under investigation for its culture's barbarity. But... nothing is as it seems on Io Phenix, and what Piggy ends up wanting is ultimately something entirely different from what we were warned about...
"Nowhere in Liverion" (1996), by Serge Lehman, translated by Jean-Louis Trudel
A quiet rebellion against the privatization of all, centered in... Nowhere.
Soon, nobody would remember what the twentieth century once called "public services."Paul Coray remembers...
—p.152
"Inside, Outside" (1999), by Sylvie Denis, translated by Aishwarya Marathe with Annabelle Dolidon
It begins with a manifesto, or part of one, from the "Free and Unique Men," full of high-minded vows and absolutes (never, always). It continues with a protagonist who is neither free nor unique. She was raised within walls, guarded by guns, taught by the faithful. But...
Life is monotonous in the celestial city. Sadly, I'm apparently the only one who notices.
—p.203
"The Swing of Your Gait" (2009), by Sylvie Lainé, translated by Aurélie Brémont and Jean-Louis Trudel
Apparently Lou's ex-boyfriend has never seen the movie Brainstorm (1983)—because when he binges Lou's recorded experiences, gorging himself on her movements and mannerisms, he is changed far more than he'd bargained for. But the transformation doesn't turn out to be what you'd expect, from such a beginning.
"Beyond the Terminator" (2017), by Laurence Suhner, translated by Sheryl Curtis
Respect for other life forms does not seem to be innate... but it can be learned.
My mental soundtrack for this one featured the obscure B-side track "Singing the Dolphin Through" (8m:18s), from the album The Roaring Silence by Manfred Mann's Earth Band.
"The City, That Night" (2021), by Jean-Claude Dunyach, translated by Tessa Sermet
"It's better to avoid dying when we're sick," explained the doctor. "The organism requires longer to recover."This final story involves... finality. You're gonna die anyway, after all—might as well lean into it.
—p.263
My mental soundtrack for this one? L7's "Pretend We're Dead" (3m:53s), of course.
Continuum concludes with a list of Additional Readings and Sources about (French) Science Fiction, both worth perusing.
I was pleased and, honestly, rather proud of our fair city when I noticed that Continuum is a product of Portland State University's student-run Ooligan Press, which has previously brought to my attention Allison Green's excellent The Ghosts Who Travel with Me (about Richard Brautigan) and poet John C. Morrison's compelling Monkey Island.
For a small university press in a jumped-up small town like Portland, Oregon, Ooligan Press really punches well above its size.
*
(Table of Contents adapted from the Springfield City Library in Massachusetts, of all places.)
June 8, 2024
Translations of SF stories published in the French SF market over the years from 1956 to 2021.
I was impressed with the quality of the book and the selections. I am now eager to look for more from "Jacques Sternberg" in particular.
I almost gave up on the story by Roland C. Wagner, but I have enjoyed books by him before so I pressed on. The story eventually did pay off, but it lacks the humor that I associate with him.
For most of these authors, there is very little available in English. But there are 3 volumes of translated stories by Jean-Claude Dunyach, including The Night Orchid: Conan Doyle In Toulouse, "The Thieves of Silence" and Paranamanco, all published by Black Coat Press (aka Hollywood Comics).
Contents:
Julia Verlanger - Bubbles (1956)
Jacques Sternberg - So Far From Home (1958)
Roland C. Wagner - That Which is not Named (1985)
Colette Fayard - The Liberator (1989)
Serge Lehman - Nowhere in Liverion (1996)
Sylvie Denis - Inside, Outside (1999)
Sylvie Lainé - The Swing of Your Gait (2009)
Laurence Suhner - Beyond the Terminator (2017)
Jean-Claude Dunyach - The City, That Night (2021)
I was impressed with the quality of the book and the selections. I am now eager to look for more from "Jacques Sternberg" in particular.
I almost gave up on the story by Roland C. Wagner, but I have enjoyed books by him before so I pressed on. The story eventually did pay off, but it lacks the humor that I associate with him.
For most of these authors, there is very little available in English. But there are 3 volumes of translated stories by Jean-Claude Dunyach, including The Night Orchid: Conan Doyle In Toulouse, "The Thieves of Silence" and Paranamanco, all published by Black Coat Press (aka Hollywood Comics).
Contents:
Julia Verlanger - Bubbles (1956)
Jacques Sternberg - So Far From Home (1958)
Roland C. Wagner - That Which is not Named (1985)
Colette Fayard - The Liberator (1989)
Serge Lehman - Nowhere in Liverion (1996)
Sylvie Denis - Inside, Outside (1999)
Sylvie Lainé - The Swing of Your Gait (2009)
Laurence Suhner - Beyond the Terminator (2017)
Jean-Claude Dunyach - The City, That Night (2021)
August 24, 2023
Fair warning: I am not French. I do not speak French. My exposure to French science fiction before reading this was limited to Jules Verne, which, as the editors kindly pointed out in the introduction, was unacceptable. With this in mind, I reviewed each story in the collection individually to shine a light on their unique offerings.
Thank you to Edelweiss for the opportunity to download this advanced copy! Summaries by yours truly.
_________
The Bubbles (4/5)- In the not so distant future, a young girl struggles with isolation after losing her only human companion to outside forces.
Hit me right in the March 2020 anxiety and I felt like I was reliving COVID quarantine all over again (not in a good way). Very strong Cold-War infused scifi with an open ending that will compel you to reread for clues.
________
So Far From Home (5/5)- An off-world researcher is tasked with an anthropological expedition to Earth where he discovers the mundaneness of human life.
I loved everything about this story and again, the translator did a fantastic job. The slow creeping anxiety and depression that's conveyed in the narrative is incredible and you can feel exactly what's going on, but you have no way to stop it. The tension leading up to the last few pages? Phenomenal.
It would be an insult to say that the message here is really impactful. Each person reading will find something to relate to, and the themes can apply to so many different facets of modern living- consumerism, immigration, anxiety, isolation, and so much loss. This is probably one of my favorite short stories to date, though I think it will be a hit or miss for some readers due to the exposition. I happen to be in a mood where I love that. Ce la vie.
__________
That Which is Not Named (4/5)- A glimpse into a future desert dwelling society where one ruler has the power to reshape the fate of his people by maintaining centuries old secrets.
"The Giver" with words. Pretty cool concept and ideas. I like that the author ever explicitly stated whether people actually had the power they thought, or if they just believed they could do it. Interesting picture of ignorance, philosophy, and how culture is shaped by a handful of people.
________
The Liberator (0/5) - An intergalactic detective is assigned to investigate a wave of violent crimes on a sister Earth that’s slowly dying.
I usually try to find one positive in everything I read, whether it’s the ideas, the writing style, or just a quote, because I recognize that every story is the culmination of someone’s blood, sweat, and tears. I have nothing good to say about this story. I can never excuse adult/child sexual relationships “for the sake of art” or “philosophizing”. I don’t care if you’re an alien man and the child is technically 600 years old in a preteen body, making prepubescent bodies the objects of desire is never okay.
__________
Nowhere in Liverion (3/5)- On an Earth that’s on the precipice of being fully privatized by corporations and individual rights are based on subscriptions, a medieval historian searches for a legendary city that holds hope for respite from Big Brother.
This was okay. Lots of history and information on European property disputes which didn’t really hold my attention. The idea that 80% of the planet could be owned by one corporation should scare me more than it does, and that’s the real horrifying take away.
__________
Inside, Outside(4/5) - This story follows a young rebel in a conservative, pure, utopia where nothing is as it seems.
I loved the pacing and tone of this story, and the world building was incredible. Another classic story where knowledge is currency, but the masses are coming for their dues.
__________
The Swing of Your Gait (3/5) - What would you do if you had the technology to spend another day with your most loved ones? What if you could spend a day in their shoes? Their clothes? Their body?
This is a really unique story that reads like a Black Mirror script. Weird, weird, weird. This made me very uncomfortable and made me stop to think about where that was coming from. The point of view and character descriptions are very unsettling and will definitely stick with you after closing the book.
__________
Beyond the Terminator (4/5) - A marine exobiologist narrates her attempt to thwart space poachers from hunting an endangered species that's crucial to all life surviving in their galaxy.
I imagined the Sea Knights as orcas, and this story as Avatar on the moon. I loved it and the word building was incredible. If you have a soft spot for animals and slow building tension, definitely read this one first.
__________
The City, The Night (5/5) - All Daniel wants to do is die and join his friends hanging out in the cemetery. They're waiting for him, but he's banned from going outside until he has the chance to pass away properly. Teenager problems.
I will be immediately reading more from this author because this story was amazing. I loved the concept, the tone, and the creepy descriptions. Every reader will recall the times when all they wanted to do was be an adult and do adult stuff, and then the times as an adult when you'd do anything to go back to just being innocent. A perfect ending to a great collection.
Thank you to Edelweiss for the opportunity to download this advanced copy! Summaries by yours truly.
_________
The Bubbles (4/5)- In the not so distant future, a young girl struggles with isolation after losing her only human companion to outside forces.
Hit me right in the March 2020 anxiety and I felt like I was reliving COVID quarantine all over again (not in a good way). Very strong Cold-War infused scifi with an open ending that will compel you to reread for clues.
________
So Far From Home (5/5)- An off-world researcher is tasked with an anthropological expedition to Earth where he discovers the mundaneness of human life.
I loved everything about this story and again, the translator did a fantastic job. The slow creeping anxiety and depression that's conveyed in the narrative is incredible and you can feel exactly what's going on, but you have no way to stop it. The tension leading up to the last few pages? Phenomenal.
It would be an insult to say that the message here is really impactful. Each person reading will find something to relate to, and the themes can apply to so many different facets of modern living- consumerism, immigration, anxiety, isolation, and so much loss. This is probably one of my favorite short stories to date, though I think it will be a hit or miss for some readers due to the exposition. I happen to be in a mood where I love that. Ce la vie.
__________
That Which is Not Named (4/5)- A glimpse into a future desert dwelling society where one ruler has the power to reshape the fate of his people by maintaining centuries old secrets.
"The Giver" with words. Pretty cool concept and ideas. I like that the author ever explicitly stated whether people actually had the power they thought, or if they just believed they could do it. Interesting picture of ignorance, philosophy, and how culture is shaped by a handful of people.
________
The Liberator (0/5) - An intergalactic detective is assigned to investigate a wave of violent crimes on a sister Earth that’s slowly dying.
I usually try to find one positive in everything I read, whether it’s the ideas, the writing style, or just a quote, because I recognize that every story is the culmination of someone’s blood, sweat, and tears. I have nothing good to say about this story. I can never excuse adult/child sexual relationships “for the sake of art” or “philosophizing”. I don’t care if you’re an alien man and the child is technically 600 years old in a preteen body, making prepubescent bodies the objects of desire is never okay.
__________
Nowhere in Liverion (3/5)- On an Earth that’s on the precipice of being fully privatized by corporations and individual rights are based on subscriptions, a medieval historian searches for a legendary city that holds hope for respite from Big Brother.
This was okay. Lots of history and information on European property disputes which didn’t really hold my attention. The idea that 80% of the planet could be owned by one corporation should scare me more than it does, and that’s the real horrifying take away.
__________
Inside, Outside(4/5) - This story follows a young rebel in a conservative, pure, utopia where nothing is as it seems.
I loved the pacing and tone of this story, and the world building was incredible. Another classic story where knowledge is currency, but the masses are coming for their dues.
__________
The Swing of Your Gait (3/5) - What would you do if you had the technology to spend another day with your most loved ones? What if you could spend a day in their shoes? Their clothes? Their body?
This is a really unique story that reads like a Black Mirror script. Weird, weird, weird. This made me very uncomfortable and made me stop to think about where that was coming from. The point of view and character descriptions are very unsettling and will definitely stick with you after closing the book.
__________
Beyond the Terminator (4/5) - A marine exobiologist narrates her attempt to thwart space poachers from hunting an endangered species that's crucial to all life surviving in their galaxy.
I imagined the Sea Knights as orcas, and this story as Avatar on the moon. I loved it and the word building was incredible. If you have a soft spot for animals and slow building tension, definitely read this one first.
__________
The City, The Night (5/5) - All Daniel wants to do is die and join his friends hanging out in the cemetery. They're waiting for him, but he's banned from going outside until he has the chance to pass away properly. Teenager problems.
I will be immediately reading more from this author because this story was amazing. I loved the concept, the tone, and the creepy descriptions. Every reader will recall the times when all they wanted to do was be an adult and do adult stuff, and then the times as an adult when you'd do anything to go back to just being innocent. A perfect ending to a great collection.
April 24, 2024
Because of the way my enjoyment varied wildly with some of these short stories, I'm going to rank them all separately and average the review out for the whole book.
The Bubbles: (★★★★★) Incredible vault-living, post-apocalypse with sci-fi horror elements. This is one that would be cool if it was expanded as a universe, but the story itself is self-contained extremely well.
So Far From Home: (★★☆☆☆) The conceit of this story has so much potential but it's dragged down by its dreary and paranoid protagonist. It's clear that this story was meant to be metaphorical in some way, but it would've worked better without the "alien secret agent" This is also the longest story in the book I believe, which made me almost give up on the entire book
That Which is Not Named: (☆☆☆☆☆) DNF, after the snooze fest that was So Far From Home, I did not have the mental fortitude to fight with the made up words and language that the author barely gives context for. This may be a good story for people who like lore-heavy sci-fi, but it's a short story so, sorry but you're not gonna get more out of it.
The Liberator: (★★★☆☆) This one is... weird. Another one where the conceit holds back the story, and it opens with a content warning for pedophilia. A alien who is infatuated with human life/innocence while humanity faces imminent demise is SUCH a good concept.
Nowhere in Liverion: (★★★★☆) This one was so interesting because it was just simple enough, a critique of universal surveillance to the point where the recordings even predict where you will be found even if you can't directly be seen, finding a place of peace, free of surveillance is something we take for granted.
Inside, Outside: (★★★★★) Another amazing concept that really does not hide what it wants to say. An atompunk(ish) world where a massive cultural divide has grown between faith and freedom, and the struggles for those who wish to escape.
The Swing of Your Gait: (★★★☆☆) Although this story felt like it jumped around a bit, this felt very "Black Mirror" in its form of Sci-Fi. There was an underlying feeling of a struggle with identity from the main character that I think will resonate with some folks, but the transitions between scenes was a bit jarring and hard to follow.
Beyond the Terminator: (★★★★★) This story had an amazing setup and message behind it. It resonates well with stories like James Cameron's Avatar mixed with Moana, set those two on a tidally locked planet where the only habitable zone is the "Terminator," the literal twilight zone in a persistent ring around the planet. This is another story that would be great if it could be explored as a larger concept.
The City, That Night: (★☆☆☆☆) I honestly don't know why this story was even included in a collection of Sci-Fi short stories because, from what I read, it had no hint of Sci-Fi in it at all. It would have been a fine short story about the fear of death on its own, but really has no place in this collection. Honestly, even So Far From Home did the theme more justice.
Overall for Continuum: (★★★☆☆) There are some amazing stories in this book, but pick and choose your battles with it. If a story isn't meshing with you after the first couple pages, just move on to the next.
The Bubbles: (★★★★★) Incredible vault-living, post-apocalypse with sci-fi horror elements. This is one that would be cool if it was expanded as a universe, but the story itself is self-contained extremely well.
So Far From Home: (★★☆☆☆) The conceit of this story has so much potential but it's dragged down by its dreary and paranoid protagonist. It's clear that this story was meant to be metaphorical in some way, but it would've worked better without the "alien secret agent" This is also the longest story in the book I believe, which made me almost give up on the entire book
That Which is Not Named: (☆☆☆☆☆) DNF, after the snooze fest that was So Far From Home, I did not have the mental fortitude to fight with the made up words and language that the author barely gives context for. This may be a good story for people who like lore-heavy sci-fi, but it's a short story so, sorry but you're not gonna get more out of it.
The Liberator: (★★★☆☆) This one is... weird. Another one where the conceit holds back the story, and it opens with a content warning for pedophilia. A alien who is infatuated with human life/innocence while humanity faces imminent demise is SUCH a good concept.
Nowhere in Liverion: (★★★★☆) This one was so interesting because it was just simple enough, a critique of universal surveillance to the point where the recordings even predict where you will be found even if you can't directly be seen, finding a place of peace, free of surveillance is something we take for granted.
Inside, Outside: (★★★★★) Another amazing concept that really does not hide what it wants to say. An atompunk(ish) world where a massive cultural divide has grown between faith and freedom, and the struggles for those who wish to escape.
The Swing of Your Gait: (★★★☆☆) Although this story felt like it jumped around a bit, this felt very "Black Mirror" in its form of Sci-Fi. There was an underlying feeling of a struggle with identity from the main character that I think will resonate with some folks, but the transitions between scenes was a bit jarring and hard to follow.
Beyond the Terminator: (★★★★★) This story had an amazing setup and message behind it. It resonates well with stories like James Cameron's Avatar mixed with Moana, set those two on a tidally locked planet where the only habitable zone is the "Terminator," the literal twilight zone in a persistent ring around the planet. This is another story that would be great if it could be explored as a larger concept.
The City, That Night: (★☆☆☆☆) I honestly don't know why this story was even included in a collection of Sci-Fi short stories because, from what I read, it had no hint of Sci-Fi in it at all. It would have been a fine short story about the fear of death on its own, but really has no place in this collection. Honestly, even So Far From Home did the theme more justice.
Overall for Continuum: (★★★☆☆) There are some amazing stories in this book, but pick and choose your battles with it. If a story isn't meshing with you after the first couple pages, just move on to the next.
May 11, 2024
I will read (almost) any science fiction that happens to cross my path, and I’m so glad this collection did. Apart from Jules Verne (of course), I can’t say I’ve come across much French science fiction at all (except, of course, every science fiction fan knows that the first-ever science fiction movie was French). This gap in my knowledge is partly explained in the introduction to this collection: the quirks of Western publishing in the 20th century have meant the dominance of English language—American and Anglo, specifically—works, and particularly in science fiction. This cultural hegemony has pushed works in other languages into the shadows, even in Europe, and not very much has been translated until recently. So now I have learnt with joy about the long history of French SF (as well as some of its philosophy), and have now been introduced to authors like Julia Verlanger, Sylvie Denis, Laurence Suhner, Jacques Sternberg, and Serge Lehman, among others.
My favourite stories, in order of their appearance in the collection: Julia Verlanger’s The Bubbles (tr. Tessa Sermet) explores a now familiar trope in SF, where people are trapped in their homes (like we all were during Covid). The choice of POV is fantastic, and the ending is unnerving. Jacques Sternberg’s So Far From Home (tr. Brian Mather) gets progressively more depressing, but is an interesting look at modern life from an invented outsider’s perspective—another thing SF is really good at. That Which is Not Named by Roland C. Wagner (tr. Annabelle Dolidon) is an unexpectedly charming story that examines the place of language in shaping a people. Colette Fayard’s The Liberator (tr. Annabelle Dolidon) is another story with a wonderful POV: that of a kind of colonial policeman or spy, but in Space. From the perspective (mine) of a descendant of a once-colonised people, the ending is possibly the best I’ve ever read for retributive justice. The only troubling thing in this particular story is an implied paedophilic relationship; I will leave it to other readers to put it in context, and to judge whether it advanced the story, as I’m on the fence about it. Sylvie Denis’s Inside Outside (tr. Aishwarya Marathe, Annabelle Dolidon) is yet another SF trope, this time revolution, and is excellently executed with wonderful ideas (like a Door run by a human consciousness). Finally, the wonderful Beyond the Terminator by Laurence Suhner (tr. Sheryl Curtis) takes a more-than-human approach to what would be, on Earth, the practice of whaling.
Since there are nine stories only in this collection, you can tell how much I enjoyed it. Come for the exposure to French SF; stay for the genuinely wonderful worlds these authors have created. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Ooligan Press and to Edelweiss for early access.
My favourite stories, in order of their appearance in the collection: Julia Verlanger’s The Bubbles (tr. Tessa Sermet) explores a now familiar trope in SF, where people are trapped in their homes (like we all were during Covid). The choice of POV is fantastic, and the ending is unnerving. Jacques Sternberg’s So Far From Home (tr. Brian Mather) gets progressively more depressing, but is an interesting look at modern life from an invented outsider’s perspective—another thing SF is really good at. That Which is Not Named by Roland C. Wagner (tr. Annabelle Dolidon) is an unexpectedly charming story that examines the place of language in shaping a people. Colette Fayard’s The Liberator (tr. Annabelle Dolidon) is another story with a wonderful POV: that of a kind of colonial policeman or spy, but in Space. From the perspective (mine) of a descendant of a once-colonised people, the ending is possibly the best I’ve ever read for retributive justice. The only troubling thing in this particular story is an implied paedophilic relationship; I will leave it to other readers to put it in context, and to judge whether it advanced the story, as I’m on the fence about it. Sylvie Denis’s Inside Outside (tr. Aishwarya Marathe, Annabelle Dolidon) is yet another SF trope, this time revolution, and is excellently executed with wonderful ideas (like a Door run by a human consciousness). Finally, the wonderful Beyond the Terminator by Laurence Suhner (tr. Sheryl Curtis) takes a more-than-human approach to what would be, on Earth, the practice of whaling.
Since there are nine stories only in this collection, you can tell how much I enjoyed it. Come for the exposure to French SF; stay for the genuinely wonderful worlds these authors have created. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Ooligan Press and to Edelweiss for early access.
January 1, 2025
some (1) stories bored me to the point of nausea (turns out i'm not as nihilistic as i thought) but others were so beautiful and novel that they more than compensated
March 5, 2025
This was a worthwhile choice. (Maybe I should call it four and a half stars. Several of the stories are memorable, one was not, a couple seemed unimportant—however, the overall impact was strong.) I genuinely love a couple of the stories—and I will say that one of the aspects of these that I most enjoyed was that they felt very French.
I am reading several books at once, which is why it took me so long to finish this one.
I am reading several books at once, which is why it took me so long to finish this one.
September 24, 2024
Original: 3.5 rounded up.
-"The Bubbles" or "Les Bulles" by Julia Verlanger [translated by Tessa Sermet]: 3/5. I forgot to write a review for this, and it didn't stick in my mind at all.
- "So Far From Home" or "Se loin du monde" by Jacques Steinberg [translated by Brian Mather]: 3/5 story, 5/5 translation. The story was too long for a short story collection, and while it was interesting & well-written with lots of social commentary, it was kind of a slog if you weren't anticipating the length. The end also wrenches you out of the frame narrative in the last 3 paragraphs/sentences, which pissed me off. I do want to note that the translation was really good, allowing for the fact that I haven't read the original- it flowed well, and I never suspected it was translated by a student!
-"That Which is Not Named" or "Ce qui n'est pas nomme" by Roland C. Wagner [translated by Annabelle Dolidon]: 4/5. I really liked it, & I loved all of the linguisitics nerderhy. I am curious if the single footnote was in the original text or if it's a translation note added by Dolidon. If the former, I want more! I love a footnote in fiction! If the latter, I wish it had just been a part of the Expansion notes post story. This story also ends with an abrupt shift in POV- is this common in French writing?
-"The Liberator" or "Le Liberater" by Colette Fayard [translated by Annabelle Dolidon]: 3/5. Not a fan of the style on this one. It jumped around a little too much for my taste. Thereferences described in the Expansion are fascinating though, and I think I'd like it more in the original French because of the wordplay mentioned in several footnotes.
-"Nowhere in Liverion" or "Nulle part a Liverion" by Serge Lehman [ranslated by Jean-Louis Trudeau]: 5/5. I LOVE reading about academics reading texts and connecting the dots to discover something new. I love critiques of capitalism controlling politics. I love vanishing into the woods. I love embracing the insignificance of the self, which in turn makes every action you chose more significant.
-"Inside, Outside" or "Dedans, Dehors" by Sylvie Denis [translated by Aishwarya Maratha and Annabelle Dolidon]: 4/5. I really liked this one! I just wish I had a bit more context, but it sounds like this is part of a collection of short stories that all take place in the same world, so that's cool! It did feel a bit rushed though, which brought it down a bit.
-"The Swing of Your Gait" or "Fidele a ton pas balance" by Sylvie Laine [ranslated by Amelie Bremont & Jean-Louis Trudel]: 3/5. The writing was fine, but the story didn't do anything for me.
-"Beyond the Terminator" or "Au-dela du terminator" by Lawrence Suhner [translated by Sheryl Curtis]: 3/5? 3.5/5? I did enjoy it, but it just didn't feel like enough. I didn't understand the "imaginary friend" conceit and the whole premise relies on it. I'd love to read more of this kind of discussion of what decides if an alien life form is worth regarding as sentient. I wonder if the imaginary friend bit is clearer in the original French?
-"The City, That Night" or "La Ville, ce soir-la" by Jean-Claude Dunyach [translated by Tessa Sermet]: 4/5. No one s surprised that I like the the short story where a 12-year-old longs for death only to realize that death is banal and to have real adventures and curiosity one must live.
-"The Bubbles" or "Les Bulles" by Julia Verlanger [translated by Tessa Sermet]: 3/5. I forgot to write a review for this, and it didn't stick in my mind at all.
- "So Far From Home" or "Se loin du monde" by Jacques Steinberg [translated by Brian Mather]: 3/5 story, 5/5 translation. The story was too long for a short story collection, and while it was interesting & well-written with lots of social commentary, it was kind of a slog if you weren't anticipating the length. The end also wrenches you out of the frame narrative in the last 3 paragraphs/sentences, which pissed me off. I do want to note that the translation was really good, allowing for the fact that I haven't read the original- it flowed well, and I never suspected it was translated by a student!
-"That Which is Not Named" or "Ce qui n'est pas nomme" by Roland C. Wagner [translated by Annabelle Dolidon]: 4/5. I really liked it, & I loved all of the linguisitics nerderhy. I am curious if the single footnote was in the original text or if it's a translation note added by Dolidon. If the former, I want more! I love a footnote in fiction! If the latter, I wish it had just been a part of the Expansion notes post story. This story also ends with an abrupt shift in POV- is this common in French writing?
-"The Liberator" or "Le Liberater" by Colette Fayard [translated by Annabelle Dolidon]: 3/5. Not a fan of the style on this one. It jumped around a little too much for my taste. Thereferences described in the Expansion are fascinating though, and I think I'd like it more in the original French because of the wordplay mentioned in several footnotes.
-"Nowhere in Liverion" or "Nulle part a Liverion" by Serge Lehman [ranslated by Jean-Louis Trudeau]: 5/5. I LOVE reading about academics reading texts and connecting the dots to discover something new. I love critiques of capitalism controlling politics. I love vanishing into the woods. I love embracing the insignificance of the self, which in turn makes every action you chose more significant.
-"Inside, Outside" or "Dedans, Dehors" by Sylvie Denis [translated by Aishwarya Maratha and Annabelle Dolidon]: 4/5. I really liked this one! I just wish I had a bit more context, but it sounds like this is part of a collection of short stories that all take place in the same world, so that's cool! It did feel a bit rushed though, which brought it down a bit.
-"The Swing of Your Gait" or "Fidele a ton pas balance" by Sylvie Laine [ranslated by Amelie Bremont & Jean-Louis Trudel]: 3/5. The writing was fine, but the story didn't do anything for me.
-"Beyond the Terminator" or "Au-dela du terminator" by Lawrence Suhner [translated by Sheryl Curtis]: 3/5? 3.5/5? I did enjoy it, but it just didn't feel like enough. I didn't understand the "imaginary friend" conceit and the whole premise relies on it. I'd love to read more of this kind of discussion of what decides if an alien life form is worth regarding as sentient. I wonder if the imaginary friend bit is clearer in the original French?
-"The City, That Night" or "La Ville, ce soir-la" by Jean-Claude Dunyach [translated by Tessa Sermet]: 4/5. No one s surprised that I like the the short story where a 12-year-old longs for death only to realize that death is banal and to have real adventures and curiosity one must live.
Read
March 31, 2025As with most anthologies, some of these stories worked really well for me and others didn't. That's the nature of anthologies, though, and doesn't reflect on any of the stories that I didn't like as much. These stories were all well crafted and translated; personal preference was really the only thing I had against some of the stories. A couple of the pieces were rather depressing, which might work better for you than it did for me, for example.
I had gone into this anthology expecting the feel to be more different than I'm used to, but honestly it felt like science fiction... I didn't really notice anything that stood out as feeling "French" to me. (Disclaimer: I am not French, and while I have visited a time or two, I have never lived in France and do not speak the language.) The age of the stories seemed to me to impact their tone more than anything else. Possibly I have just been reading enough diverse SFF through magazine and other anthologies that this didn't stand out as abnormal, which would be a good thing... it just wasn't what I expected.
For this anthology, I'm not going to write my thoughts on all of the stories, but I will highlight a couple of my favorites. “The Bubbles” by Julia Verlanger, translated by Tessa Sermet, was a great opener for the book, and while it did feel like an older piece (I believe it's the oldest published story here) it was very relevant still today and I loved the way it played out. “Inside, Outside” by Sylvie Denis, translated by Aishwarya Marathe with Annabelle Dolidon, felt a bit like a modern YA movie in short story form, and while the resolution was a bit nebulous for me I did enjoy the story as a whole. “Beyond the Terminator” by Laurence Suhner, translated by Sheryl Curtis, was perhaps my favorite story in the anthology; I loved the way it took a slightly different approach to human colonization of other planets than is typical. I would love to see that story expanded into a full novel.
I had gone into this anthology expecting the feel to be more different than I'm used to, but honestly it felt like science fiction... I didn't really notice anything that stood out as feeling "French" to me. (Disclaimer: I am not French, and while I have visited a time or two, I have never lived in France and do not speak the language.) The age of the stories seemed to me to impact their tone more than anything else. Possibly I have just been reading enough diverse SFF through magazine and other anthologies that this didn't stand out as abnormal, which would be a good thing... it just wasn't what I expected.
For this anthology, I'm not going to write my thoughts on all of the stories, but I will highlight a couple of my favorites. “The Bubbles” by Julia Verlanger, translated by Tessa Sermet, was a great opener for the book, and while it did feel like an older piece (I believe it's the oldest published story here) it was very relevant still today and I loved the way it played out. “Inside, Outside” by Sylvie Denis, translated by Aishwarya Marathe with Annabelle Dolidon, felt a bit like a modern YA movie in short story form, and while the resolution was a bit nebulous for me I did enjoy the story as a whole. “Beyond the Terminator” by Laurence Suhner, translated by Sheryl Curtis, was perhaps my favorite story in the anthology; I loved the way it took a slightly different approach to human colonization of other planets than is typical. I would love to see that story expanded into a full novel.
November 20, 2024
3.5 stars. Although I didn't enjoy all of the stories in this collection, there were a couple that I really liked: Bubbles, The Swing of your Gait, and Beyond the Terminator. I would give 5 stars for the actually writing of the book as a whole, my rating is based on how much I liked the stories.
Overall, it was a worthwhile read.
Overall, it was a worthwhile read.
November 14, 2024
This is a collection of short SF works by French writers. I read it as a part of the monthly reading for November 2024 at Speculative Fiction in Translation group.
The book starts with an outline of the history of French SF from such proto-SF as Voltaire and Jules Verne to more modern like the mid-20th century Francis Carsac (1919–1981). Overall the introduction IMHO was too short.
Contents:
Bubbles (1956) Julia Verlanger a diary of a 15-years-old girl, who lives in a kind of protected shelter, for there are ‘bubbles’ outside which can kill or mutate a person (a clear allusion to radiation). Her father left her several years ago trying to get a doctor to help her mother. Alas, she lost both. But now it seems the siege is over and people have found how to overcome the bubbles… a nice ‘classic’ SF from the 50s. 4*
So Far From Home (1958) Jacques Sternberg an alien agent arrives on Earth on a mission. He is smarter, fitter, with more attuned feelings than a human, but he has to camouflage as a man, which appears to be an uneasy task – everything around is grey, noisy and revolting. Largely a satire aimed at (then modern) society and its norms. As the story progresses, it turns less about what is told but how it is told. 3.5*
That Which is not Named (1985) Roland C. Wagner a society with a strong version of the Sapir–Whorf hypothesis, which I find wrong. The story introduces a lot of invented words and a society where words are culled to the limit. 2.5*
The Liberator (1989) Colette Fayard an intergalactic federal agent from Earth arrives on a planet inhabited by human(-like) beings, for there are reports of mass suicides and murders. He should find the cause. The agent befriends a young girl, expecting that she’ll be too innocent to lie to him… quite unexpectedly, he finds the answer, but maybe it is too late. 3*
Nowhere in Liverion (1996) Serge Lehman a near future and corporations are about to replace governments. A scientist, who initially works on a historical hoax related to the supposed gift of Rome’s lands to the Pope, but understands that it somehow can be reused by corps to get formal rights to rule, he destroys his work and shifts to one completely different, a ‘hidden’ by algorithms of mapmaking city of Liverion… 3*
Inside, Outside (1999) Sylvie Denis a girl was adopted by a religious community in the near future. The community is walled and inside there are no crimes and safety, but it is also dull. The girl seeks ways to get outside. 3.5*
The Swing of Your Gait (2009) Sylvie Lainé a heartbroken man watches immersive videos of his former girlfriend, a celebrity. The new immersion systems are so potent that you can ‘get into the skin’ of one, who recorded it, even of animals like cats. He slowly builds a new life in a zoo, befriending an old elephant. 4*
Beyond the Terminator (2017) Laurence Suhner a woman lives on a water colony world in synchronous rotation, which means they always show the same face to the star. The habitable zone is only at the terminator. There is an ingenuous life form similar to dolphins or orcas. The woman tries to protect them because other colonists hunt them for food. 3*
The City, That Night (2021) Jean-Claude Dunyach a world seemingly similar to ours, but where dying isn’t the end. The story is from a POV of a 12-year-old boy, who is ill and the start of the story and is angry at his parents that they don’t let him die, so that he can go outside to his friends… a weird piece. 3.5*
The book starts with an outline of the history of French SF from such proto-SF as Voltaire and Jules Verne to more modern like the mid-20th century Francis Carsac (1919–1981). Overall the introduction IMHO was too short.
Contents:
Bubbles (1956) Julia Verlanger a diary of a 15-years-old girl, who lives in a kind of protected shelter, for there are ‘bubbles’ outside which can kill or mutate a person (a clear allusion to radiation). Her father left her several years ago trying to get a doctor to help her mother. Alas, she lost both. But now it seems the siege is over and people have found how to overcome the bubbles… a nice ‘classic’ SF from the 50s. 4*
So Far From Home (1958) Jacques Sternberg an alien agent arrives on Earth on a mission. He is smarter, fitter, with more attuned feelings than a human, but he has to camouflage as a man, which appears to be an uneasy task – everything around is grey, noisy and revolting. Largely a satire aimed at (then modern) society and its norms. As the story progresses, it turns less about what is told but how it is told. 3.5*
That Which is not Named (1985) Roland C. Wagner a society with a strong version of the Sapir–Whorf hypothesis, which I find wrong. The story introduces a lot of invented words and a society where words are culled to the limit. 2.5*
The Liberator (1989) Colette Fayard an intergalactic federal agent from Earth arrives on a planet inhabited by human(-like) beings, for there are reports of mass suicides and murders. He should find the cause. The agent befriends a young girl, expecting that she’ll be too innocent to lie to him… quite unexpectedly, he finds the answer, but maybe it is too late. 3*
Nowhere in Liverion (1996) Serge Lehman a near future and corporations are about to replace governments. A scientist, who initially works on a historical hoax related to the supposed gift of Rome’s lands to the Pope, but understands that it somehow can be reused by corps to get formal rights to rule, he destroys his work and shifts to one completely different, a ‘hidden’ by algorithms of mapmaking city of Liverion… 3*
Inside, Outside (1999) Sylvie Denis a girl was adopted by a religious community in the near future. The community is walled and inside there are no crimes and safety, but it is also dull. The girl seeks ways to get outside. 3.5*
The Swing of Your Gait (2009) Sylvie Lainé a heartbroken man watches immersive videos of his former girlfriend, a celebrity. The new immersion systems are so potent that you can ‘get into the skin’ of one, who recorded it, even of animals like cats. He slowly builds a new life in a zoo, befriending an old elephant. 4*
Beyond the Terminator (2017) Laurence Suhner a woman lives on a water colony world in synchronous rotation, which means they always show the same face to the star. The habitable zone is only at the terminator. There is an ingenuous life form similar to dolphins or orcas. The woman tries to protect them because other colonists hunt them for food. 3*
The City, That Night (2021) Jean-Claude Dunyach a world seemingly similar to ours, but where dying isn’t the end. The story is from a POV of a 12-year-old boy, who is ill and the start of the story and is angry at his parents that they don’t let him die, so that he can go outside to his friends… a weird piece. 3.5*
December 11, 2024
Brilliant collection of stories originally written in French and then translated into English. The construction of the book is really great with a matte surface and nice thick paper. There's a neat thing where the side of the book is lined with little black dots, and each of those black dots represent a different story, which makes opening to different chapters super easy.
The stories themselves are obviously the main attraction, they're all good but the two standouts are "So Far From Home" and "Beyond The Terminator"
"So Far From Home" (written by Jacques Sternberg and translated by Brian Maher) concerns an alien sent to live among and observe humans only to find himself breaking down physically and psychologically at the monotonous reality of human existence. On it's surface a critique of capitalism and perhaps French xenophobia, the story hides a deeper reading in my opinion, about the world as seen by someone with depression or a similar disorder. It's an incredibly bleak story with a worldview that wouldn't be out of place in a Thomas Ligotti story.
More optimistic is "Beyond The Terminator" (written by Laurence Suhner and translated by Sheryl Curtis) which details an exobiologist observing the migration patterns of a whale-like species on a distant planet. Its tidally locked planet and focus on the native life forms recalls a favorite story of mine Stanley Weinbaum's Parasite Planet capturing the feeling of wonder that so many of us feel when thinking about life on other planets.
Other notable stories include "The Bubbles" which feels ripped right from an episode of "The Twilight Zone" with its high concept premise and tragic twist; "That Which Is Not Named" which uses the encyclopedic world building of something like Dune to interrogate our own relationship with language; "The Liberator" a surreal story about an investigation into a bizarre off planet colony that I'll admit I don't fully *get*; "Nowhere in Liverion" which is bafflingly a kind of well written cyberpunk The da Vinci Code; "Inside, Outside" about a girl desperate to escape the white supremacist Christian cult that keeps her and other children imprisoned in a futuristic city hits a little close to home right now and somewhat embarrassingly my only real point of comparison to is the "Fallout" franchise; "The Swing of Your Gait" a break up story that goes in an intriguing direction and ends rather abruptly and is another story I'm still kind of processing and finally "The City, That Night" which is both another story I'm still mulling over and another story I feel would fit quite comfortably in the canon of Thomas Ligotti.
Overall a well produced and well written collection. I don't speak French so I can't really account for the accuracy of the translations. The book also includes discussion questions and further readings for those interested in French Science Fiction.
The stories themselves are obviously the main attraction, they're all good but the two standouts are "So Far From Home" and "Beyond The Terminator"
"So Far From Home" (written by Jacques Sternberg and translated by Brian Maher) concerns an alien sent to live among and observe humans only to find himself breaking down physically and psychologically at the monotonous reality of human existence. On it's surface a critique of capitalism and perhaps French xenophobia, the story hides a deeper reading in my opinion, about the world as seen by someone with depression or a similar disorder. It's an incredibly bleak story with a worldview that wouldn't be out of place in a Thomas Ligotti story.
More optimistic is "Beyond The Terminator" (written by Laurence Suhner and translated by Sheryl Curtis) which details an exobiologist observing the migration patterns of a whale-like species on a distant planet. Its tidally locked planet and focus on the native life forms recalls a favorite story of mine Stanley Weinbaum's Parasite Planet capturing the feeling of wonder that so many of us feel when thinking about life on other planets.
Other notable stories include "The Bubbles" which feels ripped right from an episode of "The Twilight Zone" with its high concept premise and tragic twist; "That Which Is Not Named" which uses the encyclopedic world building of something like Dune to interrogate our own relationship with language; "The Liberator" a surreal story about an investigation into a bizarre off planet colony that I'll admit I don't fully *get*; "Nowhere in Liverion" which is bafflingly a kind of well written cyberpunk The da Vinci Code; "Inside, Outside" about a girl desperate to escape the white supremacist Christian cult that keeps her and other children imprisoned in a futuristic city hits a little close to home right now and somewhat embarrassingly my only real point of comparison to is the "Fallout" franchise; "The Swing of Your Gait" a break up story that goes in an intriguing direction and ends rather abruptly and is another story I'm still kind of processing and finally "The City, That Night" which is both another story I'm still mulling over and another story I feel would fit quite comfortably in the canon of Thomas Ligotti.
Overall a well produced and well written collection. I don't speak French so I can't really account for the accuracy of the translations. The book also includes discussion questions and further readings for those interested in French Science Fiction.
Read
November 26, 2024okay just finished the first short story ‘Bubbles” and i must say i quite enjoyed it (unexpectedly in fact as i havent had much exposure to short stories and did not know what to expect going in). the authors writing is fluid and punctures are just at the right places to bridge across, but i must admit im really quite confused at the abrupt end. i assume that eric was there to kill her? but it doesnt make sense as if her father has been turned into an other when he went outside it does not affect her as she was born after he turned so she couldnt have inherited any genetic diseases from being an other. or is that the whole point (ughhh i accidentally deleted the entire second half of this review fuck now i have to retype) but anyways im wondering is the main point trying to comment on how innocent children are being harmed because their parents are viewed as monsters (aka the enemy, especially during the cold war). im learning that i find vague, open ended stories frustrating, but in a more good than bad way because it makes me more interested in pondering and unravelling the themes and questions that the author has incorporated into the story. but i 100% would still like a sparknotes section dedicated to this book i need to know why she was killed, my best guess is still bcos her dad got turned into an other but i find that rather unsatisfying as her dads alleged transformation has nothing to do with her because she was born way before he became an other. but perhaps that is the whole point- to be punished because you were born as a child of your parents
oh plus the unmet urge to congregate and discuss about the book as almost no one in the current mainstream consciousness has read it (well besides the 23 people on goodreads)
halfway through the second story and i must ask- is the author okay? while he does bring up some good points in this story like working like a "slave" for income and having to bow down to superiors and betray yourself + the greyness of the city, theres also zero nuance at all and theres so much hatred in the authors description of everything such as women and dogs that can be draining as the complaints drag on page after page but maybe thats the authors point? okay finished it - quite good as a whole it definitely made everything felt depressing, especially the monotony of work and how it consumes the life out of workers (which is true) its a sad reflection of society, one that has not changed much in heavily capitalist and competitive societies where people are expected to work all day every day. there is also a tiny sense of loss at the end as the narrators constant babbling has just stopped in death, especially when he just kept droning on for the past 70 pages, it certainly brought about a sense of stillness. oh man, society.
oh plus the unmet urge to congregate and discuss about the book as almost no one in the current mainstream consciousness has read it (well besides the 23 people on goodreads)
halfway through the second story and i must ask- is the author okay? while he does bring up some good points in this story like working like a "slave" for income and having to bow down to superiors and betray yourself + the greyness of the city, theres also zero nuance at all and theres so much hatred in the authors description of everything such as women and dogs that can be draining as the complaints drag on page after page but maybe thats the authors point? okay finished it - quite good as a whole it definitely made everything felt depressing, especially the monotony of work and how it consumes the life out of workers (which is true) its a sad reflection of society, one that has not changed much in heavily capitalist and competitive societies where people are expected to work all day every day. there is also a tiny sense of loss at the end as the narrators constant babbling has just stopped in death, especially when he just kept droning on for the past 70 pages, it certainly brought about a sense of stillness. oh man, society.
February 27, 2025
Continuum: French Science Fiction Short stories is a phenomenal read if you're a casual reader of the genre, or a hardcore fan. I know that science fiction can be a daunting genre for many, but this collection allows you to experience various levels of it. From the human condition to political intrigue, it is truly hard to pick one favorite story.
But I will, and that story is “So Far From Home” by Jacques Sternberg, translated by Brian Mather. I do not recommend this story if you are feeling even the slightest bit down, but it truly does open your eyes to the human condition. This story follows Agent 002 from an earth-like universe, except that universe is absolutely perfect. No hunger, no darkness, no bad feelings. He is a part of a group who is studying our version of earth, and he is supposed to take over for the first agent, Agent 001, who is supposed to be writing about his experiences so that he can pass it to Agent 002, who will do likewise and pass it to Agent 003 and so on. After much preparation, Agent 002 makes it to our earth, only to find that Agent 001 and his writing are nowhere to be found. Now, all alone, Agent 002 must navigate the harsh realities of our world.
Needless to say, this story has stuck with me, even after a year since I’ve read it. As the agent experiences hunger, and then realizes that in order to get food, he needs money, he then realizes that in order to get money, he needs a job. His experience slowly spirals into this depression that is summarized in the quote, “It’s already been a week. I go there. I work. Work, sleep. That’s all I do now.” (pg. 79). He continues on to talk about how his whole like revolves around work and the monotony of it.
While I understand that I might not be entirely selling this, this unique view on the human condition is intense and thoroughly engaging. I have never encountered someone write such an outside perspective of how many people sometimes feel. While I will not spoil the story, I will encourage anyone who reads it to see this as a way to break out of our downward spirals and make community.
While this is just one example of the many short stories in this collection, the French most definitely offer a unique take on the science fiction genre that everyone should read. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested (Not to mention that Annabelle Dolidon is the kindest and coolest person ever!).
But I will, and that story is “So Far From Home” by Jacques Sternberg, translated by Brian Mather. I do not recommend this story if you are feeling even the slightest bit down, but it truly does open your eyes to the human condition. This story follows Agent 002 from an earth-like universe, except that universe is absolutely perfect. No hunger, no darkness, no bad feelings. He is a part of a group who is studying our version of earth, and he is supposed to take over for the first agent, Agent 001, who is supposed to be writing about his experiences so that he can pass it to Agent 002, who will do likewise and pass it to Agent 003 and so on. After much preparation, Agent 002 makes it to our earth, only to find that Agent 001 and his writing are nowhere to be found. Now, all alone, Agent 002 must navigate the harsh realities of our world.
Needless to say, this story has stuck with me, even after a year since I’ve read it. As the agent experiences hunger, and then realizes that in order to get food, he needs money, he then realizes that in order to get money, he needs a job. His experience slowly spirals into this depression that is summarized in the quote, “It’s already been a week. I go there. I work. Work, sleep. That’s all I do now.” (pg. 79). He continues on to talk about how his whole like revolves around work and the monotony of it.
While I understand that I might not be entirely selling this, this unique view on the human condition is intense and thoroughly engaging. I have never encountered someone write such an outside perspective of how many people sometimes feel. While I will not spoil the story, I will encourage anyone who reads it to see this as a way to break out of our downward spirals and make community.
While this is just one example of the many short stories in this collection, the French most definitely offer a unique take on the science fiction genre that everyone should read. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested (Not to mention that Annabelle Dolidon is the kindest and coolest person ever!).
June 14, 2025
This is a pretty remarkable collection. “Continuum” features nine French science fiction short stories, available in English for the first time. Yes, you read that correctly: Previously, all of these stories were only available in their original French. The publication process involved the selection of the stories to translate as well as the translations themselves.
As with most collections, some of the stories are forgettable, while others are quite brilliant. My favorite by far was “So Far From Home” by Jacques Sternberg, which features the most jaded alien you’ve ever met. The alien’s task—to land on Earth and infiltrate human society—is made increasingly impossible by the alien’s utter disgust with all things Earth. This is Paris as you’ve never seen it before. The alien’s home planet, Fylchride, is mostly purple. The alien describes modern-day Paris as gray, gray, gray; humans as weak, pathetic flesh-sacks; work as mind-numbing and soul-crushing (can’t argue with that one); and human life as nothing more than a slow procession towards death. If this sounds unpleasant, it isn’t: the alien’s unvarnished observations are absurdly funny. Additionally, the quality of the translation was fantastic. Brian Mather translated Sternberg’s short story for his MA thesis at Portland State. How neat is that!
Runner-up was “Nowhere in Liverion” by Serge Lehman. This is perhaps the most unique science fiction story I’ve ever read. Part corporate critique, part academic adventure, and part topographical mystery, it involves a search for an invisible anti-city that can’t be detected by satellites.
I also really enjoyed “That Which is Not Named”, featuring a secluded desert people who develop a unique linguistic strategy to shield themselves from the outside world.
All in all, I was very impressed by this collection. I picked it up on a whim from Clevo Books in downtown Cleveland, and I am so glad I did! Here’s to reading more works in translation.
As with most collections, some of the stories are forgettable, while others are quite brilliant. My favorite by far was “So Far From Home” by Jacques Sternberg, which features the most jaded alien you’ve ever met. The alien’s task—to land on Earth and infiltrate human society—is made increasingly impossible by the alien’s utter disgust with all things Earth. This is Paris as you’ve never seen it before. The alien’s home planet, Fylchride, is mostly purple. The alien describes modern-day Paris as gray, gray, gray; humans as weak, pathetic flesh-sacks; work as mind-numbing and soul-crushing (can’t argue with that one); and human life as nothing more than a slow procession towards death. If this sounds unpleasant, it isn’t: the alien’s unvarnished observations are absurdly funny. Additionally, the quality of the translation was fantastic. Brian Mather translated Sternberg’s short story for his MA thesis at Portland State. How neat is that!
Runner-up was “Nowhere in Liverion” by Serge Lehman. This is perhaps the most unique science fiction story I’ve ever read. Part corporate critique, part academic adventure, and part topographical mystery, it involves a search for an invisible anti-city that can’t be detected by satellites.
I also really enjoyed “That Which is Not Named”, featuring a secluded desert people who develop a unique linguistic strategy to shield themselves from the outside world.
All in all, I was very impressed by this collection. I picked it up on a whim from Clevo Books in downtown Cleveland, and I am so glad I did! Here’s to reading more works in translation.
November 9, 2024
Despite the introduction informing the reader that French science fiction will often have different themes than U.S. science fiction, I still found myself intrigued and/or perplexed by the stories in this collection. My favorites were “The Bubbles,” “So Far From Home,” “Beyond the Terminator,” and “Nowhere in Liverion.” I enjoyed that these stories had such compelling writing. The feeling of being immersed in the character’s emotions as they go through great elation and despair was wonderfully done. I wish that I was in a class where we discussed these stories, to take advantage of the Expansion sections of the chapters. I guess that means I need to get someone else to read this collection.
The others had varying levels of interest for me, either because their content was difficult to understand (“The Liberator” and “The City, That Night”) or because I wished that original story was longer (“Inside, Outside” and “The Swing of Your Gait”). “The Liberator” is off-putting, first and foremost for the adult-minor relationship. It is also difficult to follow and understand because the narration style is so fluid that is almost doesn’t make sense. Realizations are made that I didn’t understand, either because of translation variations or because the narrator is simply a little bit crazy. “The City, That Night” is a memorable short story and very coming-of-age as the Expansion mentions, but it leaves a lot to be desired in the Science Fiction realm. The last stories I mentioned that I wish could be longer had powerful themes but ended abruptly and it leaves me wanting so much more but I know I won’t get it. They just leave to think, which I think is a great way to sum up this entire collection. These stories make you think about technology, language, animals, and human nature.
The others had varying levels of interest for me, either because their content was difficult to understand (“The Liberator” and “The City, That Night”) or because I wished that original story was longer (“Inside, Outside” and “The Swing of Your Gait”). “The Liberator” is off-putting, first and foremost for the adult-minor relationship. It is also difficult to follow and understand because the narration style is so fluid that is almost doesn’t make sense. Realizations are made that I didn’t understand, either because of translation variations or because the narrator is simply a little bit crazy. “The City, That Night” is a memorable short story and very coming-of-age as the Expansion mentions, but it leaves a lot to be desired in the Science Fiction realm. The last stories I mentioned that I wish could be longer had powerful themes but ended abruptly and it leaves me wanting so much more but I know I won’t get it. They just leave to think, which I think is a great way to sum up this entire collection. These stories make you think about technology, language, animals, and human nature.
August 30, 2024
3.5 stars.
As is often the case with edited collections, some of the stories in this collection worked for me and others really didn't. In general, the more contemporary stories in the second half of the collection were more to my taste. Two in particular stand out for me: "Nowhere in Liverion" by Serge Lehman and "Beyond the Terminator" by Laurence Suhner.
"Nowhere in Liverion" follows a medievalist as he attempts to uncover a utopian city that has been hidden in plain sight amid the technocratic, corporatist dystopia that has taken over the Earth. It's clever, well paced, and engaging without feeling dumbed down at all - the perfect sci-fi mystery / thriller.
"Beyond the Terminator" questions the human assumption that other species are inherently less intelligent, or that intelligence always has to look one way, by placing a light sci-fi sheen over human-animal relationships exactly like those on Earth in this century.
There are many other worthy stories in this collection, and folks with different proclivities (I tend to lean toward humanistic explorations more than hard sci-fi) may gravitate to others than I have. Regardless, I am glad to have taken this journey into French science fiction.
As is often the case with edited collections, some of the stories in this collection worked for me and others really didn't. In general, the more contemporary stories in the second half of the collection were more to my taste. Two in particular stand out for me: "Nowhere in Liverion" by Serge Lehman and "Beyond the Terminator" by Laurence Suhner.
"Nowhere in Liverion" follows a medievalist as he attempts to uncover a utopian city that has been hidden in plain sight amid the technocratic, corporatist dystopia that has taken over the Earth. It's clever, well paced, and engaging without feeling dumbed down at all - the perfect sci-fi mystery / thriller.
"Beyond the Terminator" questions the human assumption that other species are inherently less intelligent, or that intelligence always has to look one way, by placing a light sci-fi sheen over human-animal relationships exactly like those on Earth in this century.
There are many other worthy stories in this collection, and folks with different proclivities (I tend to lean toward humanistic explorations more than hard sci-fi) may gravitate to others than I have. Regardless, I am glad to have taken this journey into French science fiction.
August 11, 2024
Continuum is a collection of nine French science fiction short stories by various authors, translated into English for the very first time by Annabelle Dolidon and Tessa Sermet. I originally came across this book in north New Jersey at a local bookstore called [words] Bookstore while spending time with family. Browsing the science fiction section, I saw this book and was intrigued by the subtitle “French science fiction short stories.” I’d realized that I was never exposed to French science fiction literature, so I bought the book.
I found the first short story intriguing and the second one fascinating. Upon finishing the second, I knew that this was the book that I’d pick for my August recommendation. The editors’ curation of this list of short stories for translation was excellent, as the selected stories evoke a wide range of emotions and philosophical musings. As someone who does not have much experience with French literature, I felt that this book captured some ineffable quality of that culture. I can’t quite describe it, but there was some presence of artistry in those stories that I’d never quite experienced before. Kudos to the translators for their ability to preserve that through the translation process. I highly recommend this book to any science fiction reader, especially those who have never read French literature.
I found the first short story intriguing and the second one fascinating. Upon finishing the second, I knew that this was the book that I’d pick for my August recommendation. The editors’ curation of this list of short stories for translation was excellent, as the selected stories evoke a wide range of emotions and philosophical musings. As someone who does not have much experience with French literature, I felt that this book captured some ineffable quality of that culture. I can’t quite describe it, but there was some presence of artistry in those stories that I’d never quite experienced before. Kudos to the translators for their ability to preserve that through the translation process. I highly recommend this book to any science fiction reader, especially those who have never read French literature.
August 28, 2024
I didn't realize going into this that some of these stories were originally published earlier in the 20th century. It was actually a nice surprise, especially because some older ones felt very contemporary. There were stories in this that I would read over again, and others that I had to skim. I tend towards speculative fiction over classic sci-fi. "So Far From Home" (1958) by Jacques Sternberg blew me away. Basically about a super depressed alien visiting Earth, it was deeply bleak and I wouldn't want to read it if I was already in a black mood. It had some of my favorite lines in the book:
"It's as if man only learned to make a few basic movements as a child, then spent the rest of his life mimicking those same movements, seated in front of his own reflection. Man, it is said, descends from the ape. It's safe to say he's not forgotten it." (73)
"I have to walk around for a long while to regain the certainty that I am still really and truly alive, unharmed, able to breathe." (70)
I also liked "Inside, Outside" by Sylvie Denis and "Beyond the Terminator" by Laurence Suhner, and LOVED "The Swing of Your Gait" by Sylvie Lainé.
"It's as if man only learned to make a few basic movements as a child, then spent the rest of his life mimicking those same movements, seated in front of his own reflection. Man, it is said, descends from the ape. It's safe to say he's not forgotten it." (73)
"I have to walk around for a long while to regain the certainty that I am still really and truly alive, unharmed, able to breathe." (70)
I also liked "Inside, Outside" by Sylvie Denis and "Beyond the Terminator" by Laurence Suhner, and LOVED "The Swing of Your Gait" by Sylvie Lainé.
December 6, 2024
My interests in French language and literature and my love of science fiction came together wonderfully in this book, and I really enjoyed reading. The very first story, Julia Verlanger's "The Bubbles" ("Les Boulles"), stopped me in my tracks, made me think, reread, and force my partner to read it so we could talk about it. What a fantastic, compelling story to start this anthology! After this, a reader just has to keep going.
As for the rest of this anthology, I loved that many of the stories included have previously been difficult or impossible for Anglophone readers to access or even know about. I especially appreciated the inclusion of Verlanger and other women writers, who tend to be underrepresented and underappreciated in the genre.
Overall, this is a fantastic survey of what French science fiction has to offer. It runs through a rollercoaster of emotions: hope, sadness, anger, and though all of it brings up important, compelling, and interesting thoughts.
As for the rest of this anthology, I loved that many of the stories included have previously been difficult or impossible for Anglophone readers to access or even know about. I especially appreciated the inclusion of Verlanger and other women writers, who tend to be underrepresented and underappreciated in the genre.
Overall, this is a fantastic survey of what French science fiction has to offer. It runs through a rollercoaster of emotions: hope, sadness, anger, and though all of it brings up important, compelling, and interesting thoughts.
August 10, 2025
I've recently started to read more sci-fi, so I decided to give Continuum a try and was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it. The stories I found most intriguing were "The Bubbles", "Nowhere in Liverion", "Inside,Outside", and "The Swing of Your Gait". I think my personal favorite was "Inside,Outisde". In such a short story, I felt like I was made intimately aware of this strange world and society. It was creepy and dystopian and I would love to see this story expanded upon. The only short story I didn't like at all was "The Liberator". It was just strange and creepy and not in a good way. DID NOT LIKE.
I thought it was interesting that many of these stories were from the perspective of younger children. Was there a purpose to this? If so, what is it?
Overall, I thought these short stores were well curated and especially poignant in today's world--most of all "The Bubbles" and "Inside,Outside."
I thought it was interesting that many of these stories were from the perspective of younger children. Was there a purpose to this? If so, what is it?
Overall, I thought these short stores were well curated and especially poignant in today's world--most of all "The Bubbles" and "Inside,Outside."
July 10, 2024
A great collection with a very helpful introduction providing a framework of the history and themes of French science fiction. Only one story really failed to capture my interest (and actually repulsed me quite a bit), with the rest ranging from curiosity to amazement at the strange yet familiar worlds constructed. In particular the prose was quite excellent which does not always come through in English translations. See my ratings of the individual stories below:
“The Bubbles”: 5/5
“So Far From Home”: 4/5
“That Which Is Not Named”: 3/5
“The Liberator”: 1/5
“Nowhere in Liverion”: 5/5
“Inside, Outside”: 5/5
“The Swing of Your Gait”: 3/5
“Beyond the Terminator”: 5/5
“The City, That Night”: 3/5
“The Bubbles”: 5/5
“So Far From Home”: 4/5
“That Which Is Not Named”: 3/5
“The Liberator”: 1/5
“Nowhere in Liverion”: 5/5
“Inside, Outside”: 5/5
“The Swing of Your Gait”: 3/5
“Beyond the Terminator”: 5/5
“The City, That Night”: 3/5
August 8, 2024
What a cool collection of science fiction short stories translated into English for the first time! Some of the stories stuck with me long after I finished reading, including "So Far From Home," which I cannot stop thinking about. I loved the way the book was structured, with each translated story followed by an "Expansion" and discussion questions, giving the reader insights into French culture, society, and the climate in which the story was originally written, as well as a series of thought-provoking questions to take the stories beyond the page and into conversation. One of my favorite things about the book was the cover design and fun elements of interior design.
Want to read
December 8, 2024This novel includes almost 10 different short stories by French Authors. What makes this so special is that these stories are French sci-fi specifically. As someone who is a newfound lover of short stories and a long-time lover of sci-fi, these stories were interesting and very enjoyable to read. One of my favorites was the very first short story titled “The Bubbles” by Julia Verlanger. It felt like a very classic sci-fi story but with a little twist and it was something I would have never read if not for this book. Overall, this was a very enjoyable read and gave me a whole new look into a genre that I originally knew nothing about.
April 26, 2025
Lots of interesting stories of varying lengths, and certainly some oddities that spruce it up. It was a thoughtfully curated and translated set of pieces; I’m not sure the short story format is for me as a reader (it took me months to get through it). Loved the writing style of “So far From Home”, weird ending though. Agree with other comments that some of the stories seemed out of place or generally were confusing/dragged but there were definitely some good ones.
I think the discussion questions would be great for a classroom/group setting, and I like that this brought these authors to English readers :)
I think the discussion questions would be great for a classroom/group setting, and I like that this brought these authors to English readers :)
December 10, 2024
As someone who loves sci-fi but had never read any French authors in the genre, the book was perfectly suited for me.
I especially appreciated the intro paragraphs that gave a crash course on the history of French sci-fi. It was also nice that each short story had context and discussion questions after them. The book's really well curated to help you sink your teeth into these pieces.
It also helps that the collection covers a really wide variety of concepts. From surreal sci-fi quarantines, to epistolary accounts of alien invasions, there's something for nearly everyone.
I especially appreciated the intro paragraphs that gave a crash course on the history of French sci-fi. It was also nice that each short story had context and discussion questions after them. The book's really well curated to help you sink your teeth into these pieces.
It also helps that the collection covers a really wide variety of concepts. From surreal sci-fi quarantines, to epistolary accounts of alien invasions, there's something for nearly everyone.
August 13, 2025
I really liked this one! I did enjoy some of the stories more than others. The style of The Liberator didn't speak to me, but I enjoyed So Far From Home and Nowhere in Liverion. I was really surprised to read in the expansion that So Far From Home was translated by a student. I'm unfamiliar with the original text, but the English reading experience was flawless. Ultimately, even though a couple of the stories didn't grab me, I appreciate how each one offered new ideas.
June 25, 2024
4.25
Such a fascinating collection of science fiction short stories translated from their original French. I love that this collection spans decades of publication, and that the editors include expansions after each story with a little bit about the author and the story. As with all anthologies, there were hits and misses, but I really liked this as a whole.
Highlights for me were:
So Far From Home (1958)
Nowhere in Liverion (1996)
Inside, Outside (1999)
Such a fascinating collection of science fiction short stories translated from their original French. I love that this collection spans decades of publication, and that the editors include expansions after each story with a little bit about the author and the story. As with all anthologies, there were hits and misses, but I really liked this as a whole.
Highlights for me were:
So Far From Home (1958)
Nowhere in Liverion (1996)
Inside, Outside (1999)
August 20, 2024
this was fine. i was slow to read it as i wasn’t super interested. i liked the more technical ones which played with ideas or language restriction or using tech to create artificial data, thereby hiding parts of the world. i did not like so far from home. i think the author hates being alive fr. it read like someone airing their thoughts of being alive and how society sucks in a very inarticulate way.
pretty cover! probably will never think of again.
pretty cover! probably will never think of again.
June 21, 2024
An excellent collection of nine translated French short science fiction stories from the 1950s to 2021. There is a wide variety of stories from classic sci-fi to cyberpunk, stories that last only a few pages to ones that are over 50 pages. The translations are very well done, and the stories are thoroughly enjoyable, and having finished I want to check out more stories by some of the authors.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews