The Cuckoo's Boys

by Robert Reed

A decade's worth of prolific short stories are showcased in this compilation of Robert Reed's best work. Among the dozen thought-provoking tales is the never-before-published "Abducted Souls," about a college student who becomes increasingly unsure of himself and his self-worth when the alien abduction he experienced as a child is questioned. Also included is the Asimov's Science Fiction Reader's Choice Awardwinning "Savior," about a military commander who is held accountable for tortuous acts that may have saved the human race. The hot topic of cloning is discussed in futuristic terms in the title tale, "The Cuckoo's Boys," which tells of a lonely genius who clones himself, not once, but millions of times, and of a teacher who tests and challenges three of these clones. Two ageless aliens become friends with Ash, an immortal human, as he strives to help them recover lost memories in "Night of Time," a selection taken from the popular Marrow book. The collection closes with an afterword by the author, in which he details the genesis of each story.

Contents:
On the Brink of That Bright New World (1993)
The Children's Crusade (2002)
Night of Time (2003)
River of the Queen (2004)
The Cuckoo's Boys (1998)
Winemaster (1999)
Coelacanths (2002)
Savior (1998)
She Sees My Monsters Now (2002)
Abducted Souls (2005)
One Last Game (2001)
First Tuesday (1996)

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories

336 pages, Hardcover

First published September 25, 2003

About the author

He has also been published as Robert Touzalin.

Reviews

[Seth Kenlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert Reed is a really unique author. I love the sense that is wrong that you get when you're reading his stories, and you just don't know what's amiss, until finally he reveals it for you. And then the sense changes to a solid "WTF!"

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing, original, and it's got some nice twists. Robert Reed writes some good stuff. So long as you don't mind a liberal sprinkling of vulgarity.

[Chris Aldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story of a mentor and a genetic plague. Creative and inspiring story with moral problems, (sadly all too real given the US’s historically gung-ho attitude to its love affair with gun toting cowboys), and a cool twist to finish.5 stars. From the Years best science fiction sixteen , edited by Gardner Dozois.

[Cheryl]

because I loved Opal Ball in 2004 Best Of but am not atm interested in premises of any of Reed's novels...

[Falbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A couple of great stories, a few very poor ones and some profound ideas.