Exploring Good Modern Science Fiction: "Some Worthwhile Memories"

Most people associate science fiction with stories of space wars and time travel. A generalized error and to some extent understandable if we take into account the influence of cinema with iconic sagas such as Star Trek or Star Wars.

In the past, authors such as Jules Verne and Isaac Asimov have shown us that this is not the case. However, there are modern authors and works that elevate science fiction with narratives that move away from the mainstream and remain in the shadows of the media.

This is the case of Erick Jorge Mota Perez with his work Algunos recuerdos que valen la pena; a collection of science fiction stories that delve into the mentality and human conflicts, individual and collective, generated by the realities of the humanity of the future.

One can see in his writing not only the imprint of meticulous research on different aspects of today's general culture, but also the creole touches that the author gives in some of his stories. He does not allow himself to be engulfed by the pressure of the western current that dominates the current literary aspect.

This Cuban author is capable of mixing drama and suspense with science fiction in the stories of this book, offering us in some of his stories an ending worthy of Agatha Christie. In addition, with his narration he transports us to a futuristic or alternative universe where, in spite of the advances, human beings continue to maintain the conflicts and emotions of present-day humanity.

Undoubtedly it is a work that personally captivated me from beginning to end, in such a way that I am unable to choose one story over another because I love them all. Each story has its touch, its magic.

¿Y quién nos libra de la derrota? tells us about a mixed martial arts fighter from the future and his demons, Las cosas ya no son como antes takes us to a Havana of a parallel universe and its difficulties. On the other hand, El holanded errante is a ghost story in space, Memorias de una puta gives us a glimpse of a more human side of the protagonist and Cuando llueve en Claudia makes us reflect on the harmfulness of ambition and human stupidity, but also tells us about love.

Algunos recuerdos que valen la pena was winner of the Calendario Award for science fiction in 2009. Unfortunately I have only seen this book available in print, but the author has other titles available online at the following link:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Erick-J.-Mota/author/B003E6XOLY

Some fragments of the storie Las cosas ya no son como antes:

Originally posted in Hive