Identity Theft and Other Stories (2008) is a collection of SFF stories by the author. It contains an introduction, fifteen tales, a Postscript, a short biography, and a list of books edited in the Robert J. Sawyer imprint series.
- Introduction by Robert Charles Wilson spends more time referring to the many sources for information on RJS than saying anything original. He does recommend the book.
- "Identity Theft" (Down These Dark Spaceways, 2005) is about mind transfers into artificial bodies. One transfer disappears and a detective is hired to find him.
- "Come All Ye Faithful" (Space, Inc., 2003) concerns a reported miracle on Mars.
- "Immortality" (Janis Ian's Stars, 2003) considers the social mores of the sixties.
- "Shed Skin" (The Bakka Anthology, 2002) poses questions about morality and eternity.
- "The Stanley Cup Caper" (The Toronto Star, 2003) involves a Canadian internal matter.
- "On The Surface" (Future Wars, 2003) draws from H.G. Wells.
- "The Eagle Has Landed" (I, Alien, 2005) views humanity from an alien perspective.
- "Mikeys" (Space Stations, 2004) turns the tables in favor of the underdog.
- "The Good Doctor" (Amazing, 1989) is a short pun story.
- "Ineluctable" (Analog, 2002) brings aliens to the Solar System.
- "The Right's Tough" (Visions of Liberty, 2004) presents returning astronauts with a quandary.
- "Kata Bindu" (Microcosms, 2004) solves a problem on the Moon.
- "Driving a Bargain" (Be VERY Afraid, 2002) exposes the problems with a bargain.
- "Flashes" (FutureShocks, 2006) explains why everybody is frustrated with news from the Galactic Encyclopedia.
- "Relativity" (Men Writing Science Fiction As Women, 2003) looks at relativity from the female point of view.
- "Biding Time" (Slipstreams, 2006) is another tale about Martian mysteries.
- "Postscript: Emails From the Future" (The Globe and Mail, 2008) was written in 2008 as a prediction of the business news of 2018. The author seems to have some things right so far, but we will have to wait for the final results.
- About the Author gives a short synopsis of RJS's career, awards and website.
- Robert J. Sawyer Books lists the works published under the RJS imprint.
These tales cross many boundaries. Of course, so do the novels. They do prove that RJS is a versatile writer. He also brags a lot, but he has a lot to brag about.
This might be the last collection from Sawyer. He points out that the work required and the pay received for short stories are disproportional to that for novels. OTOH, he seems to write short works by invitation, so another short story COULD appear if the right person asked him.
Highly recommended for Sawyer fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of strange happenings in unusual locations. Read and enjoy!
-Arthur W. Jordin
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Arthur W Jordin
Last of the Shorts?
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