This is a collection of six short stories by the master of post-Humanism, although none of these stories really touch on that subject. The stories include comedy (Derm Fool), ghost stories (The Haunt) and SF as well as a non-genre story (How to Kill Aunty) which is mostly whimsical, with a twist at the end. The best stories are probably the most touching – The World Well Lost about a spacer crew taking two lovers back to their homeworld to stand trial and The Pod and the Barrier about the cranks who try to break through a barrier in space that has foiled the best minds of Humanity. Both are touching and beautifully written, and the former is somewhat heartbreaking as well. An enjoyable collection.
