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Clones
Long before there was Dolly the sheep, there were brilliant science fiction authors speculating on the power and potential, the temptations and the terrors, of cloning.
Join them as they explore the ideas, the implications, and the thrilling dramatic possibilities in this collection of stories by Ursula K. LeGuin, Joe Haldeman, John Varley, and others...
Contents
The Extra • (1990) • novelette by Greg Egan
The Phantom of Kansas • [Eight Worlds] • (1976) • novelette by John Varley
Nine Lives • (1969) • novelette by Ursula K. Le Guin
Past Magic • (1990) • shortstory by Ian R. MacLeod
Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang • (1974) • novella by Kate Wilhelm
Out of Copyright • (1989) • shortstory by Charles Sheffield
Mary • (1964) • novelette by Damon Knight
Clone Sister • (1973) • novelette by Pamela Sargent
Blood Sisters • (1979) • novelette by Joe Haldeman
Preface (Clones!) • (1998) • essay by Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois
254 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 1998
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40 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 6, 2022
Clones!
RATED 89% POSITIVE. STORY SCORE = 4.2 / 5
9 STORIES : 4 GREAT / 3 GOOD / 2 AVERAGE / 0 POOR / 0 DNF
There is A LOT of ‘clone sex’ in this anthology - like almost every story - and I get it. You talk about cloning human beings and people are going to want to sleep with those clones. They are even going to imagine what sleeping with their own clone would be like. People are like that.
Clone Sex sells, but it shouldn’t be why you buy this anthology. Pick this one up because it is a smart and well-curated batch of stories that are smart, well-written, and important historically to the history of Science Fiction.
I would expect nothing less from an (! Series) anthology edited by Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois.
[I also recommend the excellent Aliens! 89%]
The stories that make The Great List are:
(The Great List is here - https://www.shortsf.com/beststories)
The Extra • (1990) • novelette by Greg Egan. The ultra-rich keep clones for spare parts. Physically fit, but mentally handicapped. One man parades them before his friends and then comes up with the idea to transfer his brain and consciousness instead of just harvesting body parts.
The Phantom of Kansas • [Eight Worlds] • (1976) • novelette by John Varley. For some people who live beneath the surface of Luna, immortality is assured by banks that will rebuild a clone of you and fill it with your memories on file. Our protagonist, a creator of ‘environmental experiences’ awakens to find that she is the 4th recent rebirth because she’s been murdered three times. With the help of the Central Computer, a policewoman, and her memories, she tries to hunt down the killer. A wonderful science fiction mystery that plays fair within a very interesting future world.
Past Magic • (1990) • short story by Ian R. MacLeod. A man visits his ex-wife who is living on a island kept safe from the rest of the collapsing society by extreme wealth. She has cloned a replacement of their young daughter who died in a boating accident. In order to recapture the memories of the daughter, the ex-wife wants something that the man may not be able to give.
Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang • (1974) • novella by Kate Wilhelm. The world is ravaged by pollution, pandemics, chaos, violence, and infertility. One family hides themselves away in a bunker and surreptitiously creates a generation of clones as the only hope of keeping humanity alive. When the clone generation comes of age, they are culturally different than anyone expected. An absolute masterpiece with living characters, a terrifyingly plausible vision of dystopia, and smart storytelling at every step of the plot.
***
CLONES IS RATED 89% POSITIVE
9 STORIES : 4 GREAT / 3 GOOD / 2 AVERAGE / x POOR / 0 DNF
Nine Lives • (1969) • novelette by Ursula K. Le Guin
Good. Two men on a mining station are met with one “person” who is a set of 10 clones - 5 men and 5 women. When a horrible accident occurs, the one remaining close experiences a kind of loneliness that no one else has ever known.
Mary • (1964) • novelette by Damon Knight
Average. A quiet tale of sex, love, occupation, and destiny within a society that is peaceful, but very little can change. One young woman - who might not have been clones quite right - wants more out of her life and love than others are able to provide.
The Extra • (1990) • novelette by Greg Egan
Great. The ultra-rich keep clones for spare parts. Physically fit, but mentally handicapped. One man parades them before his friends and then comes up with the idea to transfer his brain and consciousness instead of just harvesting body parts.
Out of Copyright • (1989) • short story by Charles Sheffield
Good. Corporations clone the greatest scientists and thinkers from all of recent history after their family’s copyright runs out. It is very similar to a sports draft.
The Phantom of Kansas • [Eight Worlds] • (1976) • novelette by John Varley
Great. For some people who live beneath the surface of Luna, immortality is assured by banks that will rebuild a clone of you and fill it with your memories on file. Our protagonist, a creator of ‘environmental experiences’ awakens to find that she is the 4th recent rebirth because she’s been murdered three times. With the help of the Central Computer, a policewoman, and her memories, she tries to hunt down the killer. A wonderful science fiction mystery that plays fair within a very interesting future world.
Blood Sisters • (1979) • novelette by Joe Haldeman
Good. SciFi Film Noir cheese. A sexy damsel in distress clone walks into the private detective’s office. She has a problem with the Mafia and needs his protection. Sex. Clones with giant guns. Explosions! All the fun stuff.
Past Magic • (1990) • short story by Ian R. MacLeod
Great. A man visits his ex-wife who is living on a island kept safe from the rest of the collapsing society by extreme wealth. She has cloned a replacement of their young daughter who died in a boating accident. In order to recapture the memories of the daughter, the ex-wife wants something that the man may not be able to give.
Clone Sister • (1973) • novelette by Pamela Sargent
Average. Clone sexual melodrama. When his girlfriend leaves him, one clone deals with relationships, individuality, and quite a bit of depression.
Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang • (1974) • novella by Kate Wilhelm
Great. The world is ravaged by pollution, pandemics, chaos, violence, and infertility. One family hides themselves away in a bunker and surreptitiously creates a generation of clones as the only hope of keeping humanity alive. When the clone generation comes of age, they are culturally different than anyone expected. An absolute masterpiece with living characters, a terrifyingly plausible vision of dystopia, and smart storytelling at every step of the plot.
60+ more SciFi Anthology reviews at https://www.shortsf.com/archive
RATED 89% POSITIVE. STORY SCORE = 4.2 / 5
9 STORIES : 4 GREAT / 3 GOOD / 2 AVERAGE / 0 POOR / 0 DNF
There is A LOT of ‘clone sex’ in this anthology - like almost every story - and I get it. You talk about cloning human beings and people are going to want to sleep with those clones. They are even going to imagine what sleeping with their own clone would be like. People are like that.
Clone Sex sells, but it shouldn’t be why you buy this anthology. Pick this one up because it is a smart and well-curated batch of stories that are smart, well-written, and important historically to the history of Science Fiction.
I would expect nothing less from an (! Series) anthology edited by Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois.
[I also recommend the excellent Aliens! 89%]
The stories that make The Great List are:
(The Great List is here - https://www.shortsf.com/beststories)
The Extra • (1990) • novelette by Greg Egan. The ultra-rich keep clones for spare parts. Physically fit, but mentally handicapped. One man parades them before his friends and then comes up with the idea to transfer his brain and consciousness instead of just harvesting body parts.
The Phantom of Kansas • [Eight Worlds] • (1976) • novelette by John Varley. For some people who live beneath the surface of Luna, immortality is assured by banks that will rebuild a clone of you and fill it with your memories on file. Our protagonist, a creator of ‘environmental experiences’ awakens to find that she is the 4th recent rebirth because she’s been murdered three times. With the help of the Central Computer, a policewoman, and her memories, she tries to hunt down the killer. A wonderful science fiction mystery that plays fair within a very interesting future world.
Past Magic • (1990) • short story by Ian R. MacLeod. A man visits his ex-wife who is living on a island kept safe from the rest of the collapsing society by extreme wealth. She has cloned a replacement of their young daughter who died in a boating accident. In order to recapture the memories of the daughter, the ex-wife wants something that the man may not be able to give.
Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang • (1974) • novella by Kate Wilhelm. The world is ravaged by pollution, pandemics, chaos, violence, and infertility. One family hides themselves away in a bunker and surreptitiously creates a generation of clones as the only hope of keeping humanity alive. When the clone generation comes of age, they are culturally different than anyone expected. An absolute masterpiece with living characters, a terrifyingly plausible vision of dystopia, and smart storytelling at every step of the plot.
***
CLONES IS RATED 89% POSITIVE
9 STORIES : 4 GREAT / 3 GOOD / 2 AVERAGE / x POOR / 0 DNF
Nine Lives • (1969) • novelette by Ursula K. Le Guin
Good. Two men on a mining station are met with one “person” who is a set of 10 clones - 5 men and 5 women. When a horrible accident occurs, the one remaining close experiences a kind of loneliness that no one else has ever known.
Mary • (1964) • novelette by Damon Knight
Average. A quiet tale of sex, love, occupation, and destiny within a society that is peaceful, but very little can change. One young woman - who might not have been clones quite right - wants more out of her life and love than others are able to provide.
The Extra • (1990) • novelette by Greg Egan
Great. The ultra-rich keep clones for spare parts. Physically fit, but mentally handicapped. One man parades them before his friends and then comes up with the idea to transfer his brain and consciousness instead of just harvesting body parts.
Out of Copyright • (1989) • short story by Charles Sheffield
Good. Corporations clone the greatest scientists and thinkers from all of recent history after their family’s copyright runs out. It is very similar to a sports draft.
The Phantom of Kansas • [Eight Worlds] • (1976) • novelette by John Varley
Great. For some people who live beneath the surface of Luna, immortality is assured by banks that will rebuild a clone of you and fill it with your memories on file. Our protagonist, a creator of ‘environmental experiences’ awakens to find that she is the 4th recent rebirth because she’s been murdered three times. With the help of the Central Computer, a policewoman, and her memories, she tries to hunt down the killer. A wonderful science fiction mystery that plays fair within a very interesting future world.
Blood Sisters • (1979) • novelette by Joe Haldeman
Good. SciFi Film Noir cheese. A sexy damsel in distress clone walks into the private detective’s office. She has a problem with the Mafia and needs his protection. Sex. Clones with giant guns. Explosions! All the fun stuff.
Past Magic • (1990) • short story by Ian R. MacLeod
Great. A man visits his ex-wife who is living on a island kept safe from the rest of the collapsing society by extreme wealth. She has cloned a replacement of their young daughter who died in a boating accident. In order to recapture the memories of the daughter, the ex-wife wants something that the man may not be able to give.
Clone Sister • (1973) • novelette by Pamela Sargent
Average. Clone sexual melodrama. When his girlfriend leaves him, one clone deals with relationships, individuality, and quite a bit of depression.
Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang • (1974) • novella by Kate Wilhelm
Great. The world is ravaged by pollution, pandemics, chaos, violence, and infertility. One family hides themselves away in a bunker and surreptitiously creates a generation of clones as the only hope of keeping humanity alive. When the clone generation comes of age, they are culturally different than anyone expected. An absolute masterpiece with living characters, a terrifyingly plausible vision of dystopia, and smart storytelling at every step of the plot.
60+ more SciFi Anthology reviews at https://www.shortsf.com/archive
May 26, 2020
i liked all the stories here.
particular standout is Late the Sweet Birds Sang, the first part of Kate Wilhelm's novel of the same name.
it is prescient of the time we are in (May 2020):
- climate change
- pollution
- famines
- a plague
- governments that deny all scientific facts of the above, ignoring uncomfortable truths right under their noses (FU donald trump! FU jair bolsonaro!)
highly recommended
particular standout is Late the Sweet Birds Sang, the first part of Kate Wilhelm's novel of the same name.
it is prescient of the time we are in (May 2020):
- climate change
- pollution
- famines
- a plague
- governments that deny all scientific facts of the above, ignoring uncomfortable truths right under their noses (FU donald trump! FU jair bolsonaro!)
highly recommended
June 4, 2018
A few of the stories were genuinely chilling and worth slogging through the rest. Not a single story was bad, just dull.
December 17, 2025
This is one of the better offerings in the Exclamitory Series. Despite the last two stories not up to par with the first seven, this has some very good storytelling, with minimal (if any) influence from the New Wave of the 1960s. Many of the stories have appeared in other anthologies.
One big problem in sci-fi is that science fact often makes these stories obsolete. For example, these authors assumed that artificial wombs would be needed to make clones. In reality, surrogate mothers was a low cost and reasonably low tech solution.
And why most sci-fi authors would assume that clones would enjoy having sex with another clone of themselves, I have no idea. Then again, sex sells.
Selections:
* "Preface" by Our Co-editors. This was published soon after Dolly the sheep was cloned, and Our Co-editors freely admit that this book was cashing in on the clone craze. This was published before countries started banning the development of human clones, and long before cloning animals was proven to be mostly a disaster.
* "Nine Lives" by Ursula K. LeGuin. This classic story from 1969 was apparently the first sci-fi story to really explore how clones would have a problems with non-clones. Ten clones of the same person are shipped out to two regular guys working on a mine. This story has appeared in several other anthologies.
* "Mary" by Damon Knight. Not only a story about a clone who rebels, but a poignant look at how society treats people suffering from depression. The ending was corny, but still a decent read.
* "The Extra" by Greg Egan. When news of Dolly first hit the airwaves, "experts" ranted against just such a scenario presented in this story. Egan's tale of the rich having stables of clones kept solely for harvesting body parts hasn't aged well, since real science has far surpassed science fiction.
* "Out of Copyright" by Charles Sheffield. Exquisite story about clones working for interstellar big business, picked like professional team sports drafts. If you don't know who the last clone is, despite the hints, you're an idiot. Only problem with the story -- it's set in 2040. I doubt I'll still be around in 2040, but if I am, I'll bet my life that nothing in the story will happen.
* "The Phantom of Kansas" by John Varley. This classic sci-fi is, on the surface, about human clones, but underneath, it's about people declared "illegal." Particularly pertinent now. Also is notable for vividly creating a new art form, and using Disneyland as a common noun.
* "Blood Sisters" by Joe Haldeman. A blend of sci-fi and the hard-boiled detective story, with some gore thrown in. One of the best stories in this collection.
* "Past Magic" by Ian R. MacLeod. If I had the chance to clone my old beloved pets, I wouldn't, because they really wouldn't be the same animals. Here, in a world decimated by internal warfare and climate change, a father meets the clone of his dead daughter. Powerful, achingly sad stuff.
* "Clone Sister" by Mary Sargent. Clone sex abounds in this sci-fi soft porn piece set around 2000, with the first human clones "born" around 1980. Anyone remember automated highways, cloning of all endangered species, and colonies in the moon?
* "Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang" by Kate Wilhelm/Mrs Damon Knight. Wilhelm's stuff is usually bad, but this was a decent novella about a very large, very rich family cloning itself to ensure survival of the species. I have no idea why losing the human race would be a bad thing. Almost all other species would be better off. This time, the kink is incest. This is a complex story told in a sketchy way ... probably why Wilhelm later made it the basis of a novel with the same title.
One big problem in sci-fi is that science fact often makes these stories obsolete. For example, these authors assumed that artificial wombs would be needed to make clones. In reality, surrogate mothers was a low cost and reasonably low tech solution.
And why most sci-fi authors would assume that clones would enjoy having sex with another clone of themselves, I have no idea. Then again, sex sells.
Selections:
* "Preface" by Our Co-editors. This was published soon after Dolly the sheep was cloned, and Our Co-editors freely admit that this book was cashing in on the clone craze. This was published before countries started banning the development of human clones, and long before cloning animals was proven to be mostly a disaster.
* "Nine Lives" by Ursula K. LeGuin. This classic story from 1969 was apparently the first sci-fi story to really explore how clones would have a problems with non-clones. Ten clones of the same person are shipped out to two regular guys working on a mine. This story has appeared in several other anthologies.
* "Mary" by Damon Knight. Not only a story about a clone who rebels, but a poignant look at how society treats people suffering from depression. The ending was corny, but still a decent read.
* "The Extra" by Greg Egan. When news of Dolly first hit the airwaves, "experts" ranted against just such a scenario presented in this story. Egan's tale of the rich having stables of clones kept solely for harvesting body parts hasn't aged well, since real science has far surpassed science fiction.
* "Out of Copyright" by Charles Sheffield. Exquisite story about clones working for interstellar big business, picked like professional team sports drafts. If you don't know who the last clone is, despite the hints, you're an idiot. Only problem with the story -- it's set in 2040. I doubt I'll still be around in 2040, but if I am, I'll bet my life that nothing in the story will happen.
* "The Phantom of Kansas" by John Varley. This classic sci-fi is, on the surface, about human clones, but underneath, it's about people declared "illegal." Particularly pertinent now. Also is notable for vividly creating a new art form, and using Disneyland as a common noun.
* "Blood Sisters" by Joe Haldeman. A blend of sci-fi and the hard-boiled detective story, with some gore thrown in. One of the best stories in this collection.
* "Past Magic" by Ian R. MacLeod. If I had the chance to clone my old beloved pets, I wouldn't, because they really wouldn't be the same animals. Here, in a world decimated by internal warfare and climate change, a father meets the clone of his dead daughter. Powerful, achingly sad stuff.
* "Clone Sister" by Mary Sargent. Clone sex abounds in this sci-fi soft porn piece set around 2000, with the first human clones "born" around 1980. Anyone remember automated highways, cloning of all endangered species, and colonies in the moon?
* "Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang" by Kate Wilhelm/Mrs Damon Knight. Wilhelm's stuff is usually bad, but this was a decent novella about a very large, very rich family cloning itself to ensure survival of the species. I have no idea why losing the human race would be a bad thing. Almost all other species would be better off. This time, the kink is incest. This is a complex story told in a sketchy way ... probably why Wilhelm later made it the basis of a novel with the same title.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews