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Robot Artists & Black Swans

The Italian Fantascienza Stories
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( 114 ratings, 38 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Robot Artists & Black Swans by Bruce Sterling is a captivating exploration of AI and human creativity set in a sci-fi future where robots and humans coexist in a challenging landscape. It delves into the intriguing dynamics between technology and art, examining how creative identities evolve. The narrative weaves together speculative elements with real-world implications, creating an imaginative yet thought-provoking story.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are fascinated by the intersection of technology and art, as it explores the creative challenges and oddities of a future where robots strive to be artists. This sci-fi and fantasy tale offers intriguing insights and satirical commentary, which may particularly appeal to fans of speculative and thought-provoking narratives.

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The Godfather of Cyberpunk has emerged in this new collection of Italian themed fantasy and science fiction stories. Bruce Sterling now introduces us to his alter-ego: Bruno Argento, the preeminent author of fantascienza. Sterling, writing as Argento, skillfully combines cutting-edge technology with art, mythology, and history

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Godfather of Cyberpunk has emerged in this new collection of Italian-themed fantasy and science fiction stories. Bruce Sterling now introduces us to his alter-ego: Bruno Argento, the preeminent author of fantascienza. Sterling, writing as Argento, skillfully combines cutting-edge technology with art, mythology, and history.

In the Esoteric City, a Turinese businessman's act of necromancy is catching up with him. The Black Swan, a rogue hacker, programs his way into alternate versions of Italy. A Parthenonpean assassin awaits his destiny in the arms of a two-headed noblewoman. Infuriating to artists and scientists, a robot wheelchair makes uncategorisable creations.

Bruno Argento is the acknowledged master of Italian science fiction. Yet that same popular fantascienza author also is known in America as Bruce Sterling. In Robot Artists and Black Swans, we present the first collection of their uniquely visionary Italian-themed fiction, including tales never before published in English.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Bruce Sterling's Robot Artists & Black Swans is celebrated for its imaginative blend of Italian culture and speculative fiction, unfolding a vivid narrative that spans alternate realities and future visions. Critics praise Sterling's alter ego, Bruno Argento, for delivering a rich tapestry of stories that channel authors like Primo Levi and Italo Calvino, infused with sharp wit and erudite dialogue. The collection artfully combines elements of high fantasy with futuristic scenarios, presented with the author's characteristically inventive style and detailed world-building, earning acclaim for its clever insights and unique Italian flavour.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781616963293

Publisher: Tachyon Publications

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 27 April 2021

Country: United States

Imprint: Tachyon Publications

Contributors:

  • Introduction by Neal Stephenson
  • Foreword by Bruno Argento

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 127.0mm

Height: 215.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 256

About the Author

Bruce Sterling (Schismatrix, The Zenith Angle, Zeitgeist) is an internationally bestselling author, journalist, editor, columnist, and critic. He is perhaps best known as the author of ten visionary science-fiction novels and as a founder of the cyberpunk movement. He was also the editor of the quintessential cyberpunk anthology, Mirrorshades.

Sterling's much-heralded nonfiction includes The Hacker Crackdown: Law and Disorder on the Electronic Frontier and The Epic Struggle of the Internet of Things. A renowned expert on technology, Sterling has appeared on ABC's Nightline, the BBC's The Late Show, MTV, TechTV, and Wired, where he is a featured blogger, as well as in Time, Newsweek, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Fortune, Nature, La Stampa, La Repubblica, and many other venues.

Sterling splits his time among the cities of Austin, Turin, and Belgrade.

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