Meeting in Infinity

Meeting in Infinity is a 1992 collection of fifteen science fiction stories by John Kessel, published by Arkham House. The stories range from explorations of human consciousness to alternate realities, featuring tales that originally appeared in prestigious magazines like Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine and The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. The collection includes "Another Orphan," which won the Nebula Award in 1982, among other notable works like "The Pure Product" and "Hearts Do Not in Eyes Shine." Each story stands independently while contributing to the book's broader examination of human nature and technological advancement. The anthology demonstrates Kessel's ability to blend classic science fiction elements with philosophical inquiry and literary techniques. His stories examine the intersection of technology with human psychology, identity, and moral choice in ways that resonate with contemporary concerns about the future.

Limited reader reviews are available online for this science fiction story collection. On Goodreads, it has only a handful of ratings with an average of 3.67 out of 5 stars. Readers noted the quality of the title story "Meeting in Infinity" and appreciated Kessel's blend of literary elements with science fiction concepts. Multiple reviewers highlighted the experimental narrative structure. Some readers found certain stories in the collection too academic or removed from human emotion. The varying story lengths and styles in the book made for an uneven reading experience according to a few reviewers. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.67/5 (6 ratings) Amazon: No reviews available Due to the book's limited availability and age (published 1992), there are not enough public reader reviews to draw broader conclusions about reception. Most discussion appears in academic/literary contexts rather than consumer reviews.

The Best of Gene Wolfe This collection presents mind-bending tales about consciousness and reality that mesh science fiction with literary techniques.

Her Smoke Rose Up Forever by James Tiptree Jr. The stories in this collection examine human nature through a science fiction lens with themes of consciousness and identity transformation.

Axiomatic by Greg Egan These short stories explore consciousness, reality, and technology through intricate scientific concepts and philosophical questions.

The Doors of His Face, The Lamps of His Mouth by Roger Zelazny This collection combines literary style with science fiction concepts while examining human psychology in technological settings.

Bears Discover Fire and Other Stories by Terry Bisson The stories blend philosophical inquiry with science fiction elements to explore human nature and societal transformation.

🏆 "Another Orphan," included in this collection, won the 1982 Nebula Award for Best Novelette and uniquely transports a modern commodities trader into the world of Melville's Moby Dick. 📚 Arkham House, the publisher of "Meeting in Infinity," was founded in 1939 specifically to preserve H.P. Lovecraft's work in hardcover, later becoming a prestigious publisher of genre fiction. 🎓 John Kessel is a professor at North Carolina State University where he co-directs the Creative Writing Program, bringing his academic expertise into his science fiction writing. 📖 Stories from this collection first appeared in Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine, which was one of the "Big Three" science fiction magazines of its time, alongside Analog and The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction. 🔄 The title "Meeting in Infinity" reflects the collection's recurring theme of convergence between different realities and perspectives, a concept explored in multiple stories throughout the book.