Future, Imperfect: Six Dystopian Short Stories

by Ruth Nestvold

"The Future, Imperfect" is a collection of near future, dystopian short stories by Ruth Nestvold. Environmental changes -- slow in some regions, catastrophic in others -- have had a major effect on our world, not for the better. While water wars and pandemics have devastated the Mediterrean region, and a major earthquake and the resulting destruction of nuclear power plants and sensitive research facilities have made much of California a wasteland, corporate-sponsored enclaves defend themselves from the have-nots. What can any one individual do to make a difference is such a world? These are the stories both of those who tried and those who failed.

Five of the short stories in this collection were previously published in such venues as Asimov's and Futurismic. "Exit Without Saving" also appeared in Rich Horton's "Science Fiction 2007: The Best of the Year." "Killfile" is an original publication.

Genres: Science Fiction, Dystopia, Fiction

189 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Ruth Nestvold has published widely in science fiction and fantasy, her fiction appearing in such markets as Asimov’s, F&SF, Baen’s Universe, Strange Horizons, Realms of Fantasy, and Gardner Dozois’s Year’s Best Science Fiction. Her work has been nominated for the Nebula, Tiptree, and Sturgeon Awards. In 2007, the Italian translation of her novella “Looking Through Lace” won the “Premio Italia” award for best international work. Since 2012, she’s been concentrating her efforts on self-publishing rather than traditional publishing, although she does still occasionally sell a story the old-fashioned way. She maintains a web site at http://www.ruthnestvold.com and blogs at https://ruthnestvold.wordpress.com.

Reviews

[Bandit · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm slowly tentatively trying out scifi and this was just short enough, not to mention free enough, to check out. Plus Nestvold is a Nebula winning author. Plus I really enjoy dystopian tales. Ok sold. This short collection contains 6 occasionally tangentially interconnected stories set in the same devastated world where semblances of civilization are now maintained by corporations. Frightening sociopolitical future, but then again that's probably what happens when countries and their populations are managed like businesses...and doesn't that just make you want to have a businessman for a president. But anyway, the stories themselves are quite interesting, original, though provoking, creative, imaginative...all the things smart scifi ought to be. All brought down by author's (what's a delicate way of putting it)gender? Maybe? There is a noticeable inability to separate a strong leaning toward chicklit/romance sort of scenarios and narrative itself. Which is really distracting actually and makes it difficult to take the stories seriously with all the swooning and sexual chemistry bubbling over. Maybe there is a subgenre for this...romscifi or chickscifi. It just wasn't my thing and it detracted from otherwise quite good writing. Imperfect, much like Nestvold's imaginary future. Decent for a quick read.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nestvold explores some interesting angles in the short stories that make up this collection. Ranging from the addictive qualities of using technology to literally 'become someone else' to the psychological effects of human dependency on constant connection through the web and a range of things in between. Not a bad little read.

[Eero · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a kindle freebie a while back. The stories are set in the same universe and characters from one story can be mentioned in another. Obviously the world is less than pleasant, and especially the last couple of stories are quite gripping. It was well worth a read.

[Graham Downs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Six original stories, set in a dystopian, futuristic world. They're all complete stories, with different characters and plots, but the world remains the same.

It's a compelling world, too. The environment has gone to hell, and many of the big cities (Seattle being one that shows up in at least two stories) have been bought up (quite literally) by big corporations. The corporations use their technology to make life liveable for the citizens, even pleasurable... but only if they can see a way to make a profit.

Those who live outside the big cities, or in cities not yet owned by corporations (places called "the burbs") have a much tougher time of it, and they spend their lives trying to convince a corporation to move in, by selling the advantages of their natural resources, or other benefits that would make an acquisition viable to one of these big companies.

The stories are very well written and engaging. The descriptions are vivid, and more than once I found myself wondering what it might be like to actually live in one of these privatised utopias.

They're also quite literary in theme, and riddled with deeper, hidden meaning. Some of them, I must admit, went over my head, and/or I got bored and skimmed at times. But in a collection like this, it's practically impossible to expect to enjoy and identify with ALL of the stories.

[Amanda Makepeace · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Future, Imperfect is a superb collection of short stories set in a dark and all too possible future. I don't recall now how I stumbled upon this ebook, but it's one of the best dystopian collections I've read this year. Each story takes place in the same future world, one ravaged by environmental problems, advances in technology (that are not necessarily for the best), and a massive gap between the privileged and under-privileged. Corporations control everything. If you aren't with them, you're against them. Some of the Nestvold's characters have made their choice; while other's are confronted by conflicts which steer their ultimate decision. I'm keeping my fingers crossed the author decides to publish more stories, or even a novel, set in the world. If you need a break from the zombie apocalypse, if you need a touch of cyberpunk, The Future, Imperfect will not disappoint.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn't finish this. I like post-apocalyptic and dystopian fiction, so I nabbed this when it was either free or very cheap for Kindle (I forget which).

The simplistic writing and heavy-handed Harlequin-esque romance subplot kept me from reading beyond the first story.

"With her stance, stature, and short hair, much shorter than his own, it would have been hard in this blinding light to tell if she were a man or a woman. But he was all too aware she was a woman."

Ugh.

If that sounds appealing, this might for you. It's certainly not for me.

[Pete Aldin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed these stories set in the same dystopian near future. Ms Nestvold's writing here is exactly what I love about great sf: well-developed worldbuilding, human interest, an exploration of possibilities. Definitely worth the cover price.

[*Suzy (ereaderuser)* · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting mix of short stories with separate characters, but all interrelated. Big corporations controlling EVERYTHING! I liked some stories more than others, but found them all to be fascinating. This was a 3.5 for me - but I always round up.

[Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

All of the stories seemed set in the PNW and had a similar voice and level of technology.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish these had just been pulled together into a novel, but I enjoyed them and will look for others by her. Dystopian future, corporations determining what areas can be saved, etc.

[Voula (otl1987) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting something more meaningful than this. But it wasn't such a bad read, but I ll probably forget about it in a couple of months...