Synthesis and Other Virtual Realities

by Mary Rosenblum

Book by Rosenblum, Mary

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

280 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1996

About the author

Mary Rosenblum was a science fiction/fantasy and mystery author. She grew up in Allison Park, "a dead little coal mining town outside Pittsburgh PA," and attended Reed College in Oregon, earning a biology degree. She attended the Clarion West workshop in 1988.

Her first story came out in 1990 and her first novel in 1993. Her career began, and has largely returned to, science fiction. However, from 1999 to 2002 she wrote the "Gardening Mysteries" novel series under the name "Mary Freeman."

She was also a cheesemaker, teaching the craft at workshops. At the age of 57, Rosenblum earned her pilot's license. Rosenblum died on March 11, 2018, when the single-engine plane she was piloting crashed near an airfield south of La Center, Washington.
(from Wiki)

Reviews

[Lord Humungus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've looked for Mary Rosenblum books since I'd read her stories in Year's Best anthologies. Some time ago I read her novel Horizons, which was surprisingly disappointing given how much I liked her short stories. This compilation had been on my list for a while but it's old and was a limited release so I figured the chances of finding it were slim, Amazon notwithstanding.

I'm glad I finally found it because the stories were excellent. Her characters are interesting and multi-layered, and they give her futuristic environments a thoroughly believable human element on which to ground the stories. I really liked this collection and would even recommend it to non-SF fans.

Now I just have to find more of her short story collections!

[Emmett Hoops · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very unlike Arkham House's usual fare. Near future dystopian sci-fi isn't usually my cup of tea, but this book stands out because of Rosenblum's mastery of plot and characterization. You know what motivates everyone in every story.

I hope to see more of her stuff in Fantasy & Science Fiction some day soon.

[Janet]

Short stories, with black and white illustrations