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Water Taxi in a River of Vampire Fish: Science Fiction of a Flooded New York
New York City flooded following decades of climate change and earthquakes. And after his father died, Jackson Lowry rowed a small taxi-boat to help his friends and neighbors. But now a mysterious realtor sets in motion a cryptic plot laced with the nefarious Circuit and a wealthy investor who pits Jackson against his better judgment.
This novelette also contains two bonus short stories. In the special feature “Five Paintings,” two art critics battle over the value of a rich collector's paintings. In “Five Sketches of an Everyday Infinity” the journalist Leopold reveals the secrets of experiencing a sense of the infinite to his new companion, the artificial intelligence named Synthoid Etteri.
All three tales in the book come from the futuristic Infinite Things world, affected by global climate change, artificial intelligence, and a growing new economy focused on green technologies.
This novelette also contains two bonus short stories. In the special feature “Five Paintings,” two art critics battle over the value of a rich collector's paintings. In “Five Sketches of an Everyday Infinity” the journalist Leopold reveals the secrets of experiencing a sense of the infinite to his new companion, the artificial intelligence named Synthoid Etteri.
All three tales in the book come from the futuristic Infinite Things world, affected by global climate change, artificial intelligence, and a growing new economy focused on green technologies.
100 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2016
10 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Gregory Scheckler
4 books4 followersAmerican author Gregory Scheckler lives in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. He enjoys both Star Trek and Star Wars and he isn’t afraid to say so in public. He and his wife are avid telemark skiers, and enjoy mountain biking and hiking too.
He wrote the science fiction novels Biomimic Generations, StarFold and the Infinite Things Series (all forthcoming) as well as numerous short stories, including the collections Water Taxi in a River of Vampire Fish, Future Build, and Moon Dust Infinity.
Writings credits include World Weaver Press, The Berkshire Review, the Mind’s Eye Liberal Arts Journal, and Thought & Action: Journal of the National Education Association. Selected visual arts credits include Ferrin Gallery, the Washburn Historical and Cultural Museum, Duluth Art Institute, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, the Bennington Museum, the Berkshire Museum, and the National Science Foundation. In addition to writing and exhibiting, Gregory Scheckler currently serves as Professor of Art at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, where he teaches critical thinking, creativity and innovation.
He wrote the science fiction novels Biomimic Generations, StarFold and the Infinite Things Series (all forthcoming) as well as numerous short stories, including the collections Water Taxi in a River of Vampire Fish, Future Build, and Moon Dust Infinity.
Writings credits include World Weaver Press, The Berkshire Review, the Mind’s Eye Liberal Arts Journal, and Thought & Action: Journal of the National Education Association. Selected visual arts credits include Ferrin Gallery, the Washburn Historical and Cultural Museum, Duluth Art Institute, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, the Bennington Museum, the Berkshire Museum, and the National Science Foundation. In addition to writing and exhibiting, Gregory Scheckler currently serves as Professor of Art at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, where he teaches critical thinking, creativity and innovation.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
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December 19, 2016
"Sometimes, the light at the end of the tunnel is Hell."
I bought this book for the title (hard not to be intrigued) and the stark simplicity of the cover. I had not read the blurb and so had no expectations beyond it's being science fiction. And so was launched into a world quite dazzling in it's mysteriousness: a futuristic Manhattan, yes, but what was happening? Who were these people? For what, exactly, were they searching? Beautifully written, I was washed along in a current of confusion until, suddenly, like parting waves, the story appeared, looming up from the mist.
That is all that I am going to say. Not to every taste, I am sure. But for me this has been a discovered treasure like a lovely seashell on the beach.
The title story comes with two further shorts.
Get it, read it, it's not long and, for now at least, free. Enjoy
I bought this book for the title (hard not to be intrigued) and the stark simplicity of the cover. I had not read the blurb and so had no expectations beyond it's being science fiction. And so was launched into a world quite dazzling in it's mysteriousness: a futuristic Manhattan, yes, but what was happening? Who were these people? For what, exactly, were they searching? Beautifully written, I was washed along in a current of confusion until, suddenly, like parting waves, the story appeared, looming up from the mist.
That is all that I am going to say. Not to every taste, I am sure. But for me this has been a discovered treasure like a lovely seashell on the beach.
The title story comes with two further shorts.
Get it, read it, it's not long and, for now at least, free. Enjoy
February 15, 2018
Could have been great
I would have preferred more world-building. The premise was very interesting, but the execution was confusing. The story that makes up the first half or so barely made sense to me. I don’t understand what everyone’s goals were. The other two stories were pretty good, but more world-building in the first story would have improved them.
I would have preferred more world-building. The premise was very interesting, but the execution was confusing. The story that makes up the first half or so barely made sense to me. I don’t understand what everyone’s goals were. The other two stories were pretty good, but more world-building in the first story would have improved them.
December 30, 2016
Three shorts - nothing to do with vampires :)
Climate change affects the future and Manhattan is reduced to shells of buildings poking out of the water. Constant earthquakes keep changing the landscape (Bye Florida!). A brilliant artist/engineer has a vision of sustainable, floating cities that can handle the new weather. Too bad he's a killer and is either dead or rotting in prison.
In this collection, Water Taxi in a River of Vampire Fish is by far the longest entry. It paints the setting as a bleak one, with the rich still being rich. Jackson Lowry is a simple man wanting nothing more to help people, but ends up in a complicated web and power struggle. The story has a definitive conclusion.
Five Paintings is pretty short and pits academia vs. self-identity and personal growth. I actually enjoyed the banter and short read more than Water Taxi.
Lastly, Five Sketches speaks upon AI and the pros/cons it provide.
In all, the stories were entertaining. I don't view 3 Stars as critical.
Climate change affects the future and Manhattan is reduced to shells of buildings poking out of the water. Constant earthquakes keep changing the landscape (Bye Florida!). A brilliant artist/engineer has a vision of sustainable, floating cities that can handle the new weather. Too bad he's a killer and is either dead or rotting in prison.
In this collection, Water Taxi in a River of Vampire Fish is by far the longest entry. It paints the setting as a bleak one, with the rich still being rich. Jackson Lowry is a simple man wanting nothing more to help people, but ends up in a complicated web and power struggle. The story has a definitive conclusion.
Five Paintings is pretty short and pits academia vs. self-identity and personal growth. I actually enjoyed the banter and short read more than Water Taxi.
Lastly, Five Sketches speaks upon AI and the pros/cons it provide.
In all, the stories were entertaining. I don't view 3 Stars as critical.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews