Beaker's Dozen

by Nancy Kress

"The twenty-first century, it's often remarked, will transform our knowledge of biology, in the same way that the twentieth century transformed physics. With knowledge of course, comes application. And with the application of all we are learning about genetic engineering come social and ethical questions, some of them knotty.

This is where science fiction enters, stage left. Scientific laboratories are where the new technologies are rehearsed. Science fiction rehearses the implications of those technologies. What might we eventually do with out new-found power? Should we do it? Who should do it? Who will be affected? How? Is that a good thing or not? For whom?

Of the thirteen stories in this book, eight of them are concerned with what might come out of the beakers and test tubes and gene sequencers of microbiology. Not everything in these stories will come to pass. Possibly nothing in them will; fiction is not prediction. But I hope the stories at least raise questions about the world rushing in onus at the speed--not of light--but of thought."

-- Nancy Kress from her introduction

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories, Collections, Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Nancy Kress is the author of thirty novels, four story collections, three books on writing fiction, and over a hundred short stories. Her work has won six Nebulas, two Hugos, a Sturgeon, and the John W. Campbell Memorial Award. Her most recent novel, Observer, co-written with Dr. Robert Lanza, concerns the nature of consciousness, reality, and love. Forthcoming in 2026 is an historical fantasy, The Queen’s Witch, set in the court of Henry VIII. Nancy’s work has been translated into two dozen languages, none of which she can read. She has taught writing at various venues in the United States and abroad, including Leipzig, Beijing, both Clarions, and the annual SF-writing intensive workshop Taos Toolbox. Nancy lives in Seattle with her husband, writer Jack Skillingstead, and Pippin, the world’s cutest Chihuahua.

Reviews

[Sanuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some shorts stories were good, some less so. Nothing mind blowing, but most stories were entertaining.

[Alaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of SF stories, many with a theme of genetic engineering. I found it interesting, but not amazing--maybe just because, as a biology teacher, I am looking for something with a little more specificity and believability. Might just be since it's out of date at this point, so maybe I'll check out some of her more recent writing, if there is any.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent selection of short fiction by Kress, an acknowldeged master of the form. It includes the original short version of "Beggars in Spain," as well as the superb "Dancing on Air."

[H · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Sleepless story is ridiculous. Apparently of you don't need to sleep you become and amazing, gorgeous and immortal person.
I could see some using that extra time to...play games, drink, party and accomplish nothing. as for immortality as a result, yeah right.

Kress has a lot of stories with hate in them, hatred for who you are rather than could be - Feigenbaum Number.

Hatred for the childless career woman - Margin of Error

Unto The Daughters is a story of the snake in the garden of Eden, where the plan is abuse and keeping women in their place, god and Adam both apparently. The snake gives Eve and her daughters knowledge. I always did find that original story weird, why would a tree of knowledge be banned?
Ignorance sure is the preferred mantra for the religious leaders....hmmm.



I did like one story - Always True to Thee - In My Fashion.
This takes fashion to the extreme and I found it sadly too close to true but funny.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are all stories from the mid-1990s. I'd read most of them before, as most were originally published in Asimov's, including the novella version of Beggars in Spain. I never re-read books, but I read/re-read everything here. Nothing seems dated (except the years, as when the semi-near future is, say, 2016) and it's all first rate. Nancy Kress was at her peak when she wrote this, and she still is now.

[Tessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this so I could read "Beggars in Spain" on paper. Beggars in Spain was great! Many of the other stories didn't quite land for me, but "Dancing on Air" and "The Flowers of Aulit Prison" also hit a sweet spot of provocative biological futurism.

[Joyce · Rating 2 out of 5]

Various stories felt like they were lacking something. Generally, the stories were well executed. However, I had a very difficult time relating to the characters, which I found surprising for a female author. Either the point of the story flew by me, or the author focused on something that seemed really outdated compared to other issues, or something else. I will also note that the amount of self-loathing by characters in various stories was really off-putting for me.

[Ellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing style and basic ideas both left something to be desired.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compilation of some of the author's stories; science fiction, fantasy and more. I enjoyed most of the stories and as a fan of the author's, I would recommend this book.

[Stephanie Foust · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent short story collection includes: Beggars in Spain,Evolution,Fault Lines, & Dancing on Air among other stories

[Natty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic collection of stories, Nancy Kress is one of my favorite scifi authors who's exploration of themes around biotechnology are fascinating.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved Beggars in Spain! Other novellas / short stories also of remarable quality!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nancy Kress is one of the masters of the short sci-fi story.