| "The Messenger" | |
|---|---|
| Short story byLiu Cixin | |
| Country | China |
| Language | Chinese |
| Genre | Science fiction |
| Publication | |
| Publication date | 2001 |
"The Messenger" (Chinese:信使;pinyin:xìnshǐ) is ascience-fiction short story byChinese writerLiu Cixin, first published in 2001. The short story was included in the collectionA View from the Stars published byHead of Zeus in April 2024 and byTor Books in May 2024.[1][2] It was translated by Andy Dudak.[3]
Albert Einstein, though not explicitly mentioned, plays his violin every evening, troubled by his great discoveries being misused for theatomic bomb. Outside his home inPrinceton, an unknown person begins to listen to all of his concerts, even in the rain. Albert Einstein invites the unknown person inside, who then reveals to be from the future and has come to alleviate his worries about humanity's potential self-destruction and to discuss the successful development of theGrand Unified Theory in the future. After a short conversation, the future traveler leaves to visit other key figures from history and it is revealed, that the time chosen to visit them is always shortly before their death to not disrupt the timeline.[4][5]
Paul Di Filippo wrote in theLocus Magazine, that the short story "has a Kessel-like flavor."[4]
Publishers Weekly wrote in a review of the entire collectionA View from the Stars, that its fiction entries "may be more down-to-earth, but they’re unafraid to ask big questions, including 'What is the purpose of the universe?'."[6]
Eamonn Murphy wrote onSF Crowsnest, that this is "is a quiet, hopeful story, and you wish it were true."[5]