The Fifth Science, by Exurb1a
The Fifth Science is a delightfully creative experience, spanning from the 1920s far into a hypothetical future of the human race. The author, exurb1a, has a philosophical youtube channel that is always great for some mind bending thought experiments but I’d hazard to say that this collection is their best work so far. The creativity and worldbuilding on display make for an endlessly enjoyable and thought provoking experience. Sci-fi short story compilations have been done many times before, dating back almost to the invention of the genre, but the way each of these stories are interconnected makes this book truly unique.
For those not in the know, The Fifth Science contains a myriad of short stories, with each one being further and further in the future than the last, and the subtle way these stories connect make me absolutely ecstatic when reading them. Technologies that are seen being invented in one story are commonplace, or even obsolete in the next, names of locations that are nonchalantly mentioned in some of the latter stories take on a new meaning now that you know some part of the history that has taken place there. Aside from the connectedness, however, each story holds up on its own as a sublime and creative work.
I find myself repeating the word creative alot as I describe The Fifth Science, and that’s because it truly is. It may be the fact that I read the book after having read nothing but Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere for the better part of a year and I needed a change of pace desperately, but I honestly believe that this book showcases a level of pure imagination and fun that makes it truly unique.
So there are my thoughts on The Fifth Science as of right now! This review was shorter than most, but that’s only because the elements that make the book so good are simple. It has my utmost recommendation if you’re looking for some quarantine reading material, and I hope that you enjoy your breakfast very much!