Futures: Near and Far by Dave Smeds (Sci-Fi)

Futures: Near and Far (Collection of sci-fi short stories)

Author: Dave Smeds

Futures: Near and Far is one of the most gripping collections of sci-fi short stories by the author himself, Mr. Dave Smeds. The collection deals with stories from near future and also technology which is present and in use in today’s world. The author has been writing sci-fi for quite some time now. And also he is the member of various elite literary clubs and organizations.

The best thing about the collection is the way of dealing with the stories, the characters. The backbone of most of the stories is not hardcore sci-fi but mere normal stories and events which happened at some time in the future. There is no overtly unwanted description of science used which makes the series even the more gripping for common folks. A normal behavior of a man in 2100 or 2300 is what is described.

The author also provides a background for each of his story which is quite insightful and lets us into the mind of the author, about his thought process and the inspirations which made him write these stories.

I especially liked the “Termites”. It was a concept thought of when the food crisis was acute and famine was imminent. Though, I never thought about the consequences that are dealt with in the said piece, but it was really a plausible solution at a time in the past.

I would have really liked to discuss some the technologies mentioned but it would be like a spoilsport. Still, I would definitely like to say that nanodocs were amazing, and I would really like to tinker with them in time to come if the technology arrives in my time.

Definitely a must read for all both science lovers and novices.

HALF GIRLFRIEND by Chetan Bhagat

HALF GIRLFRIEND: SENSATION OR HYPE

Another hit novel from the writer who thinks he knows “What Young India Wants.” This book has been in lots of controversies right from its release on 1^st October, 2014. Accusations ranging from plagiarism to defaming of a royal family have been leveled against Mr. Chetan Bhagat, the author. I care less about them though. Those issues can be addressed by the concerned people.

Chetan has belted out five bestsellers before this and claims to be voice of new India. India, which speaks ‘simple’ English, lives in the village and understands only candy floss love. He had started well, writing his heart in his previous books, tried to bring out to notice the various vices plaguing our society. His vision was set. He wanted to bring a revolution and thus, declared a war on all bombastic users of English.

All very fine, he was going well. But, somewhere in between he lost track. He started feeling Indians were no good and only liked and understood cheap Bollywood flicks. His recent successes blinded him. His vision was lost; he tried hard to find issues to address. Finding few, he reverted back to Bollywood movies.

This, ‘Half Girlfriend’ is by far his worst creation till date. He hardly seems the writer who wrote “2 States” or “Five Point Someone”. He is just another Ravinder Singh or Devadutt who is after raking moolah after belting out nonsenses. Mr. Bhagat showed promise but he has lost it now.

His English is simple. Agreed and appreciated, but does this means he will write nonsense. Simple never means cheap. Sophisticated and good books can be written in simple English. Read some Ruskin Bond, Mr. Bhagat. Chetan Bhagat is just writing a script for some Bollywood flick, it seems. He has stopped writing for his readers long back.

Most of the book is pathetic. But the worst is lefty for the climax. I have never seen or heard anyone writing journals the way he depicted. Riya, the female lead, writes a journal and leaves it for others to find. Writing journals in direct speech is definitely an issue with me. We don’t speak to ourselves this way. We just write our views in first person, I guess. And what was the drama at the end, you have lost it, man, really.

Anyone who has a few hours to spare and has nothing better to do can go through his book. I love romances, love stories, but this one from him is several notches below his all other works.