The Secret Sharer

by Robert Silverberg

CONTINUING THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION OF SHORT FICTION
FROM THE LEGENDARY ROBERT SILVERBERG

The Secret Sharer is the second volume of a five-book series which will gather together all the most important short fiction by the acknowledged master of the craft.

The eleven stories collected in this volume, written between 1986 and 1988, are representative of an especially productive and inspired period in Silverberg's career. Included are two novellas: We Are for the Dark, a tale of conflict between the Master, who is powerful like the sun, and the Goddess Avatar, mistress of alien technology — a favourite story of Silverberg's; and the award-winning title story, which pays homage both to Joseph Conrad and to the power of friendship. Amongst the riches to be discovered in the short stories are virtual encounters between Socrates and Pizarro the Conquistador, a raodio message from Genghis Khan, the full implications of Nine Sparg's quest, and the ultimate price of empathy with software.

As Isaac Asimov unhesitatingly affirmed: 'Where Silverberg goes today, science fiction will follow tomorrow.' Be there.

'This is a must for the short story addict and displays an unparalleled versatility and variety' TIME OUT

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Short Stories, Novella, Science Fiction Fantasy, Collections

395 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 1988

About the author

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Robert Silverberg is a highly celebrated American science fiction author and editor known for his prolific output and literary range. Over a career spanning decades, he has won multiple Hugo and Nebula Awards and was named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America in 2004. Inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 1999, Silverberg is recognized for both his immense productivity and his contributions to the genre's evolution.
Born in Brooklyn, he began writing in his teens and won his first Hugo Award in 1956 as the best new writer. Throughout the 1950s, he produced vast amounts of fiction, often under pseudonyms, and was known for writing up to a million words a year. When the market declined, he diversified into other genres, including historical nonfiction and erotica.
Silverberg’s return to science fiction in the 1960s marked a shift toward deeper psychological and literary themes, contributing significantly to the New Wave movement. Acclaimed works from this period include Downward to the Earth, Dying Inside, Nightwings, and The World Inside. In the 1980s, he launched the Majipoor series with Lord Valentine’s Castle, creating one of the most imaginative planetary settings in science fiction.
Though he announced his retirement from writing in the mid-1970s, Silverberg returned with renewed vigor and continued to publish acclaimed fiction into the 1990s. He received further recognition with the Nebula-winning Sailing to Byzantium and the Hugo-winning Gilgamesh in the Outback.
Silverberg has also played a significant role as an editor and anthologist, shaping science fiction literature through both his own work and his influence on others. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, author Karen Haber.

Reviews

[j · Rating 3 out of 5]

So-so Conrad riff. Silverberg does a fine transposition of the dramatic arc and details of the plot into a science fiction idiom, while shifting what the piece is ultimately about -- which is welcome. I remain unenthused by Silverberg, even despite everything I've read from him being competently plotted and having good ideas, mainly because the nuts and bolts of his language is so uninspiring to me. Yes, compared to many of his peers his work possesses a comparable ease of readability, but we didn't go to the moon because it was easy, but because it was hard.

[Ralph Blackburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Secret Sharer by Robert Silverberg-This is a long novella with a dream-like aura in its telling. It is about a lone star faring ship and in particular its Captain. The main character is a new recruit, who is made Captain to see if he can sink or swim at his tasks. The Crew all test him and make him feel isolated. He happens upon a stowaway on one of his travels through the ship, and she tells him about the crew and what they are doing and what’s in store for him. This is a very different style from the Silverberg I’m familiar with, but definitely worth the read. Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this novella by Robert Silverberg. Really enjoyed the characters and they were well developed. Also really enjoyed the story, and the pacing was great too. Will be reading more from Robert Silverberg now. #TheSecretSharer #NetGalley

[Gr1972 · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 out of 5

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally evocative. I suspect this was as much an excuse to indulge some stunning description as it was to tell a story about compromise and exchanges.

[Yev · Rating 3 out of 5]

While presented as a far future science fiction story, this is really more about the nature of interpersonal relationships and introspection. It bears some thematic similarities to his novel, Dying Inside, which I greatly enjoyed at the time I read it. It seems that I don't think it worked as well this time.

A newly appointed space captain finds that one of the passengers that is being transported as an uploaded consciousness has broken free from their data storage unit and is basically a data ghost that wanders around the ship until she possesses the captain. The captain quickly learns to enjoy this and starts a troubled relationship with her.

I have severe doubts about the characterization of the two primary characters as well as various other concerns.

Rating: 2.5/5

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic character driven science fiction novella about a human consciousness that takes residence inside a young captain. Makes some very subtle and interesting points about the "soul" and what exactly is our self. The writing is spare and evocative, like sci-fi written by Raymond Carver (which is kind of Silverberg in a nutshell!). An excellent piece that will haunt the reader long after reading.

[Rod · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the Joseph Conrad story first, but then check out this futuristic riff on that story by Robert Silverberg. I thought he did a good job of carrying the themes over, expanding on them a bit in the "sea" of space, and respecting his source material. Good companion pieces...and apparently Silverberg has paid homage to Conrad in other works, too, (e.g. Downward to the Earth riffs on Heart of Darkness) which I will be checking out.

[Devin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aside from being aware of Robert Silverberg's prolific nature, I know very little about him as a writer. After this particular novella my interest is piqued. The humanity of this story balanced against the ease with which Silverberg unpacks exotic ideas about space travel is impressive.