Exhalation

Stories

by Ted Chiang

hardcover, 368 pages

Published May 7, 2019 by Knopf.

(77 reviews)

Ted Chiang tackles some of humanity’s oldest questions along with new quandaries only he could imagine.

In “The Merchant and the Alchemist’s Gate,” a portal through time forces a fabric seller in ancient Baghdad to grapple with past mistakes and second chances. In “Exhalation,” an alien scientist makes a shocking discovery with ramifications that are literally universal. In “Anxiety Is the Dizziness of Freedom,” the ability to glimpse into alternate universes necessitates a radically new examination of the concepts of choice and free will.

Including stories being published for the first time as well as some of his rare and classic uncollected work, Exhalation is Ted Chiang at his best: profound, sympathetic—revelatory.

5 editions

luddite reviewed Exhalation by Ted Chiang

Review of 'Exhalation' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Such an excellent collection of stories. Just so very good.

'The Truth of Fact, the Truth of Feeling' is my favourite, by far, for how the story dovetails with an anthropological description of writing. Reading 'Omphalos' during the holidays -- a story which revolves around the role of faith in science and research -- was illuminating and interesting. And the beauty of the redemption arc in 'Anxiety is the Dizziness of Freedom' was a perfect end to the series.

Highly recommended.