The Touch

by Steven-Elliot Altman

Just the idea for this original anthology is intriguing--to tell the tale of a worldwide disease that causes its victims to temporarily deprive anyone they touch of one or more of their senses. Combine this premise with stinging, mournful, pointed writing of consistently high quality, from Linda K. Wright's "The Penitent" to William F. Nolan's "Freak, " and what results is a provocative book sure to attract attention. An opening health advisory warns of the dangers of contact with "Deprivers." The stories that follow chart the epidemic from first discovery to the point that it has become a part of everyday life and has profoundly changed the world (not always in the most obvious ways). Depriver syndrome alienates its victims from all human contact, turning them into unwitting murderers and villains. Several tales explore the power of a Depriver to punish victims when they're forced to harm others against their wills. Many explore the horror of isolation and profound fear of approaching strangers. Each contributor--among them Katherine Dunn, Harry Turtledove, Sean Stewart, Tananarive Due and Janet Asimov--takes a different approach to the subject. The cumulative effect is profound and frighteningly possible.

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories

Unbound

First published October 1, 2000

About the author

Steven-Elliot Altman is a bestselling author, screenwriter, graphic novelist and video game designer. His games include Acclaim's multiple award-winning title 9DRAGONS and Wooga's PEARL'S PERIL. Steve's novels include CAPTAIN AMERICA IS DEAD, ZEN IN THE ART OF SLAYING VAMPIRES, BATMAN: FEAR ITSELF, THE KILLSWITCH REVIEW, THE IRREGULARS and DEPRIVERS. He's also the editor of the critically-acclaimed anthology THE TOUCH and a contributor to SHADOWS OVER BAKER STREET, a Hugo Award Winning anthology of Sherlock Holmes Stories.

Reviews

[| J · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far I cannot put this book down. It is a collaboration from many different authors, each writing a chapter. The stories are connected by a common theme, but show flashes of lives across the world from different times and how very different people are all affected in similar ways by SDS (Sensory Deprivation Syndrome). Ordinarily I'd have a hard time reading so many different authors at once. The style change is usually disappointing, as you'll find one that you want to read more from, and someone you can't believe was chosen to mix in. However, in The Touch, I've not yet found an author I don't enjoy reading.

I'll add more when I'm finished!

[Amy Webster-Bo · Rating 4 out of 5]

a really nice selection of short stories, a few were not very good but over all they were short but sweet reads

[Sasha Grabenstetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a long search I finally refound this book. I read it a long time ago & still remember some of the chilling stories. Amazing piece of work. Each story has it's own unique aspect to bring to the collection. It's a hard one to put down.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth the read. Has made me notice just how sucky life would be w/o being able to have physical contact with people.

[Jennifer Calhoun · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the stories I still remember years after reading the book.

[Kristie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great anthology for a good cause. Worth the read.