PAST LIVES, PRESENT TENSE

Editor Scarborough sets the ground rules and provides the scenario for these 15 new stories, namely, what if you recover the personality of anyone who had ever lived? (Provided they left some recoverable remains.) Further, what if you could install the personality in you own head? When Tibetan scientist Tsering’s beloved wife dies, he sets about restoring her by deriving memories from her cells and introducing them into his own brain. The result is a strange, serene, androgynous amalgamation. Scarborough continues, showing the rest of the authors how it should be done, describing how a distracted financial whiz takes Sir Walter Scott on board. Lillian Stewart Carl’s man-hating feminist absorbs Henry VIII’s lusty, tragic Anne Boleyn. Sandy Schofield’s Bill Gates—alike nerd tries out but rejects the too-earthy Babe Ruth. Otis Redding sings again, courtesy of David Bischoff. Jerry Oltion reanimates Leonardo da Vinci. Janet Berliner resuscitates Mata Hari. And Kristine Kathryn Rusch wonders whose blood stains the Shroud of Turin. Amusing idea, engaging outcome.