The Qualia Engine — Damien Broderick

Theodore Sturgeon Award finalist, 2010

A. Bertram Chandler Award for Outstanding Achievement in SF, 2010

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"The Qualia Engine" is a worthy addition to the long line of superman-in-hiding stories that stretches all the way back to Olaf Stapledon, with notable stops along the way... A dense story with a rich nougat vein of well-observed human emotion. --Gardner Dozois, "Locus"

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Sharply told, very funny at times, and ultimately very powerful. --Rich Horton, "Locus"

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From the infinite universes of quantum theory to the mysteries of mind and heart, from mythic depths to the end of humanity, Damien Broderick speaks all the voices of SF in a bravura display of storytelling. In this first US collection of his best short stories, the multi-award winning Dean of Australian Science Fiction takes us to a dozen worlds at the limits of imagination.

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Tactile details are integral to Broderick's work. They offer a window into the minds of his characters. But he won't spoon-feed you. This is fiction that is "smart" and takes an engaged reader to get all the layers.

As you read this book, you'll find that every story is an exploration of a different facet of that most important element of being human. Not just emotions, or pain or even love, but "consciousness."

Together, this collection creates its own Qualia Engine. --Mary Robinette Kowal, winner of the 2008 John W. Campbell Award

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"This Wind Blowing, and This Tide" is a beautiful story. The speculation is fascinating, but the heart of the story is a single father mourning his dead son (as signaled by the perfect title, taken from Rudyard Kipling). --Rich Horton, "Locus"

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Making a welcome splash with some fine new stories. --Jonathan Strahan, "The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year"