Getting to Know You

Getting to Know You is a collection of ten science fiction short stories by David Marusek, published in 2007 by Subterranean Press. The collection includes all of Marusek's published science fiction works up to that point, spanning from 1993 to 2006. Each story is accompanied by commentary from the author, providing context and background on the work's creation. The stories range from explorations of virtual reality and digital consciousness to tales of environmental change and technological transformation. The collection earned a nomination for the 2007 Quill Award in the Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror category. The title story "Getting to Know You" originally appeared in 1997 and shares its name with the collection. The stories examine the intersection of human relationships and advancing technology, raising questions about identity, memory, and connection in increasingly digital worlds. Through varied settings and scenarios, the collection considers how technological progress affects fundamental aspects of human experience.

Readers describe Getting to Know You as a collection of complex, experimental science fiction stories that examine human relationships in a tech-heavy future. Readers highlight: - Detailed worldbuilding and imaginative future technologies - Emotional depth of character relationships - The title story's unique narrative structure - Skillful blend of human drama with sci-fi concepts Common criticisms: - Stories can be difficult to follow initially - Some plots move slowly - A few readers found the technology concepts overwhelming Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (297 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (24 ratings) From reader reviews: "The stories require concentration but reward close reading" - Goodreads reviewer "Marusek creates believable future worlds without getting bogged down in explanation" - Amazon review "Not light reading - dense with ideas and technical details that sometimes overshadow the human elements" - LibraryThing reviewer

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell Multiple interconnected narratives span centuries and genres while exploring how technology and power structures shape human connections across time.

Pump Six and Other Stories by Paolo Bacigalupi Short story collection examines near-future scenarios where environmental collapse and technological advancement create new social dynamics.

Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Charles Sheffield Characters navigate a world of digital consciousness and virtual reality while grappling with questions of memory and identity preservation.

Accelerando by Charles Stross Chronicles three generations of a family as they encounter technological singularity and posthuman evolution through interconnected narratives.

The Future Is Not Ours edited by Diego Trelles Paz Collection presents stories from multiple authors exploring how advancing technology impacts human relationships and social structures in future societies.

🔸 David Marusek began his writing career relatively late, publishing his first short story at age 42 after working as a graphic designer in Alaska. 🔸 The title "Getting to Know You" comes from one of the collection's most acclaimed stories, which won the Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award in 2000. 🔸 Several stories in the collection were originally published in Asimov's Science Fiction magazine, which has been a leading platform for science fiction since 1977. 🔸 The book explores "post-scarcity economies" - a concept where advanced technology has eliminated most forms of want and traditional economic systems. 🔸 Marusek's work influenced the development of "mundane science fiction" - a movement focusing on realistic near-future scenarios rather than far-fetched space operas.