The world of science fiction has immense charm.
Looking at past sci-fi creations, I find it fascinating to see how many of those imagined scenarios have become reality in the present. Similarly, observing current sci-fi works allows us to glimpse the future we’re anticipating. This provides me with tremendous enjoyment.
A teacher, well aware of my interests, recommended a book for me to read.
It was a book by author Kim Cho-yeop, titled “If We Can’t Go at the Speed of Light.”
When I engage with such creative works, while I do appreciate emotional stories and the messages they convey to society, my primary focus is on how convincingly and attractively the world-building is presented (and preferably in detail).
Author Kim Cho-yeop holds a master’s degree from POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology).
When my teacher mentioned this, I immediately decided to read the book. From my experience with various books, I believe that authors with a background in science and engineering are naturally able to write realistic and convincing stories.
This is likely due to the cause-and-effect thinking and solid scientific knowledge that are ingrained through studying science. It’s an inevitable outcome, I think.
This difference is evident even after reading just a few philosophy books written by professors with a background in science and engineering—you can really sense that it’s “truly different.”
Anyway, enough with the digressions. This book is a collection of short stories set in a sci-fi universe.
Even if you take away the sci-fi element, this book is one that anyone can enjoy for its universal emotional appeal and engaging narratives.
As for the world-building, it isn’t described in exhaustive detail, given that it’s a collection of short stories. However, it paints a very plausible and emotionally rich picture of the future. The stories are crafted with scenarios that are quite believable and relatable, set in a future that feels grounded in reality.
The various technologies mentioned in the stories are based on current and plausible future advancements, making it easy to visualize the world within the book. It isn’t just pure fantasy; it’s a book that makes you think, “Could these stories actually happen in the future?”
Because I want people to experience this book firsthand, I’ve tried to avoid spoilers, which has made this review quite brief.
In any case, it’s a novel that not only helps to cultivate scientific imagination but also offers emotional solace through its heartfelt stories. I highly recommend giving it a read.