“An innovative and compassionate look at how knowledge shapes and changes humanity. Liu grounds his tales in contemporary Chinese life and society, using the sci-fi genre to tackle questions about humanity’s place in the universe.… A must-have for readers of hard science fiction.”
—Publishers Weekly on To Hold Up the Sky
“A well-rounded view of Liu’s work, showing him both in the mode familiar to readers of the Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy as well as in other, perhaps more unexpected, styles. Highly recommended for fans of Liu’s work or for those interested in Chinese SF in general.”
—Booklist (starred review) on To Hold Up the Sky
“These stories excel at linking hard science fiction with global humanism and quiet moments of emotion. Liu’s writing maintains a calm, matter-of-fact demeanor, even as it conveys inventive cruelty and beautiful imagery.… Will appeal to readers of literary fiction and classic science fiction alike.”
—Shelf Awareness on To Hold Up the Sky
“It is magic, this collection of short stories Liu wrote and published ten, twenty, thirty years ago. It is a time machine; a split-vision tunnel that lets you go back in time while staring forward, to see what 2003’s or 1985’s version of 2010 or 2020 or 3000 looked like from China.… To Hold Up the Sky gives us a window that looks out over a different sci-fi landscape than we’ve seen in decades.”
—NPR on To Hold Up the Sky
“This audacious and ultimately optimistic early work will give Liu’s English- reading fans a glimpse at his evolution as a writer and give any speculative fiction reader food for deep thought.”
—Shelf Awareness on Supernova Era