Future Uncertain

FUTURE UNCERTAIN - In the introduction to his second anthology, Tony Thorne, MBE, states that he has a longstanding reputation “as being some kind of a nutter” for engaging in the audacious practice of writing science fiction. However, a look at the best-seller lists on both sides of the Atlantic suggests that the genre is a long way from losing popularity, and flipping through Future Uncertain reveals that its author is as much a fan of science fiction as a craftsman thereof.
The collection gets off to a strong start with “Timely Encounter,” which taps into the dark side of stepping into the future with a twist that only those who favor the “science” end of science fiction are likely to foresee. In the spirit of early science fiction, an anti-technology theme runs through the material, with characters encountering everything from too-literal time machines and malicious mechanical arms to websites predicting the end of your life with deadly accuracy.
Perhaps the most imaginative story in the anthology is the title piece, which turns the classic horror story of the Stepford Wives on its head. Nearly all of the stories feature similar twists on classic themes, making for a clever collection that runs the range from chilling to light.
Overall, Thorne’s collection is a good read, worthy of an evening curled up in front of the fireplace. With the computer and other mechanical devices safely locked away in another room.

Hannah Emery (NJ-USA)