Retrospect: 01/24/08

The second story of the February issue of Fantasy & Science Fiction magazine is "Retrospect" by Ann Miller. It begins with a philosophical question: "If you could give a book, any book, to someone who had lived before , what book would you choose and to whom would you give it?" This being a science fiction short story, the question is played out to its full extent.

The events of this bookish tale are told by Sam, a buyer of rare books who falls in with a crowd of booklovers. After he answers the question of which book to whom his world changes. While the book talk at the beginning was interesting I loved the world building of the alternate world and seeing the trade-offs between the old world and world.

As a long time Bookcrosser, I want to end this review with a lovely quote from the middle third of the story: "A good book is like a rare wine. It should be shared with friends."

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