The Touch: epidemic of the Millennium

by Steven Altman

A collection of short stories--by Harry Turtledove, William F. Nolan, Janet Asimov, Tananarive Due, Maggie Estep, Kit Reed, and others--documents the bizarre biological phenomenon of Deprivers, people who, for unknown reasons, possess a strange defense mechanism that can incapacitate other human beings, a situation that can cause life-threatening consequences for those who come in contact with a Depriver. Reprint.

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories

347 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2000

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.