Cilia-of-Gold

Stephen Baxter, in my opinion, is the most gifted and most entertaining science fiction writer out there. He takes your mind to locations, times, and possibilities that you would have never imagine. And more importantly, he makes it fun to be there.

Cilia of Gold is a book that the talent involved had fun making as well. The production and narration were entertaining and appropriate. Where else can you learn that it snows in Mercury and want to know more...

Audible, if you are reading, please add more talent like Baxter to your science fiction selections (and Peter Hamilton, Gregory Benford, David Brin...)

I had never listened to a short story before, so I did not know whether the format would work as an audio book. I was captured almost immediately, and found myself surprisingly sad when it ended: the author intended (I think) for it to be an up-beat ending, but I could not see it that way. Very moving, ultimately very sad. A great story that stays with you for years.

A great short story set on Mercury. I like the premise it uses for first contact, and the telling of two stories and their intersection. We have no idea what life exists where. The flipping between two worlds existing at the same place. I think this short story could be expanded into a more complex novel with ease. I will be looking for more Baxter stories, short and novel length.