Future Bristol Review
Sci-Fi Anthology From the Desks of Bristolian Writers
Future Bristol is a collection of nine science-fiction short stories (ISBN 9781934041932) that was recently published on April 29, 2009. Not only do all the stories take place in Bristol – yes, in the future – but they are all written by native Bristolians (despite the fact that editor Colin Harvey mentions that no matter how long one has lived in Bristol, most will still be considered "Blow-ins").
The stories don't just have a common theme of the setting in a futuristic Bristol -- or the political hints. All of the stories have a common theme of rebirth and the city, whether it means a new form of recycling with biotechnology, drugging the entire city into mass chaos, or literally destroying the entire city and world save one lone man.
In a way, each story is the individual writer's celebration of their beloved city of Bristol.
Stephanie Burgis
"After the Change" by Stephanie Burgis is a bit of the odd one out as it's more of an urban fantasy than science-fiction. Her future Bristol is overridden with crime, and the city itself has called out for help among its citizens, transforming a select few into angels and saviors of the city. However, the focus is not on how those Changed are coping, but those who watch others Change.
Colin Harvey and Joanne Hall
Both of the stories by Colin Harvey and Joanne Hall are also separate from the rest as these writers took Bristol into an extreme alternate world. In Hall's "Pirates of Cumberland Basin", Bristol is in Kevin Costner's Waterworld future but with a far, far better story and without the primitive lifestyle. This Waterworld has still managed to keep up with the high technology.
Harvey's "Thermoclines" not only alters the world -- his is a world where humans are forced into the trees and sky -- but the physical forms of the human beings who have had to adapt to their groundless environment.
Gareth L Powell
The story with the most original and intriguing name is one of the biggest highlights of the collection. "What Would Nicolas Cage Have Done?" by Gareth L Powell ends the entire world through a freak accident with nanotech computer builders and random chance saves one man from Bristol to decide who will repopulate the earth with him. The tie in to Nicolas Cage's movie, It Could Happen to You, was both unexpected and brilliantly played out.
Quite possibly one of the most appealing aspects to the entire collection is the simple fact that all of the stories take place in an actual city. Even though the setting is in the future, all of the landmarks, city sections, and tourist attractions are mentioned and referenced throughout. For those who live in Bristol or have at least visited there, this is a bit of a familiar treat. And for those who haven't, it entices thoughts of visiting and seeing what these writers love about it.
For either reader, the writers' tales of their future Bristol are enjoyable and have the ability to attach strong emotional strings for as short as they are.
Future Bristol Cover by Andy Bigwood
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