My Sci-Fi book memories are centred around less of Arthur C. Clarke and more of Michael Crichton. Sci-fi is attractive reading when the gap between the author’s imagination and known reality is huge. The genre was well all about superlative speculative fiction with dollops of imagined technology, ideas and thoughts that were unreal to the readers. But, they were always based on the slight possibility of their existence. They had the potential to be reality. There is always an element of what if and maybe it could. They are scenario building of a different level with a touch of technology. And that is what makes them interesting.
A Sci-F SixPack I by Dilip Thosar is maybe the first SCIFI set of stories I am reading in a decade or two. Sci-Fi has a huge base of loyal readers. It needs the reader not to question technology surrounding the story basis and just take an un-hesitant ride with the map and possibilities the author throws open.
Dilip Thosar takes you through six different rides across his six short stories. And you as a reader need to just follow through. Unlike most sci-fi stories based on possible future and potential technology and science, some Dilip Thosars stories are set in the past, beyond the thinkable past.
INSIDE THE BOOK
Time travel and aliens are the two most exploited arenas in SciFi, and it becomes tough to really stand apart.
The first story, ‘Sisyphus- A glitch In Time,’ features Inspector Girish Gaitonde and his time machine but fails to tickle me. However, the second story, ‘Hello- Life Span of a virus,’ heats up the imagination.
Then comes ‘Earth Life Origin- a journey through the centre of a black hole’ captivates and demand your attention. It takes you time to register what is happening, and the last few pages flip the whole thing. I think he could have titled it better. ‘Coma- A pregnant pause’ takes you on a different trip. ‘Utopia- It’s Not about Money, Honey’, is fast-paced and relatable.
I think – when Dilip Thosar refers to it as ‘A six-storied artefact of science fiction, he saved the best for the last. ‘Evolution Uncloggedl’ is the one story that does not has a descriptor. And I like it. It is not an entirely new thought, but it is powerful and takes off quickly. As a reader, here you may end up outguessing the author; maybe you may. But how will you know until you read it?
NETNET.
If you have time and a wee bit of interest in SciFi, read this very promising set of six stories titled ‘A SciFi sixpack’ written by Dilip Thosar. Order your physical copy or Kindle version here.
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