Story of Your Life
| "Story of Your Life" | |
|---|---|
| Author | Ted Chiang |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Science fiction short story |
| Published in | Starlight 2 |
| Publication date | 1998 |
Story of Your Life is a science fiction short story by Ted Chiang. It was the winner of the 2000 Nebula Award for Best Novella as well as the 1999 Sturgeon award.[1] The major themes explored by this tale are determinism, language, and an interesting take on the Sapir–Whorf hypothesis.
A film adaptation is expected to be released in 2016, starring Amy Adams as Dr. Louise Banks and co-starring Jeremy Renner, with the film directed by Denis Villeneuve based on a script by Eric Heisserer.[2]
Plot summary
Dr. Louise Banks is enlisted by the military to communicate with a race of radially symmetrical aliens who initiated first contact with humanity. Woven through the story are remembrances of her daughter.
The heptapods have two distinct forms of language. Heptapod A is their spoken language, which is described as having free word order and many levels of center-embedded clauses. Understanding Heptapod B, the written language of the aliens, is central to the plot. Unlike its spoken counterpart, Heptapod B has such complex structure that a single semagram cannot be excluded without changing the entire meaning of a sentence.
When writing in Heptapod B, the writer knows how the sentence will end. The phenomenon of Heptapod B is explained by the alien's understanding of mathematics and Fermat's principle of least time.
Dr. Banks's understanding of the heptapods' writing system affects the way she perceives time and suggests a deterministic universe where free will is exercised by not affecting the outcome of events.
Awards
- Winner of the 2000 Nebula Award for best novella
- Winner of the 1999 Sturgeon Award
- Short listed for the 1999 Tiptree Award
- Ranked 10th on the 1999 Locus poll for best novella
- Nominated for the 1999 Hugo Award for best novella
- Nominated for the 1999 HOMer award for best novella
Film adaptation
An adaptation scripted by Eric Heisserer has been planned since at least November 2012[3] involving the production company FilmNation Entertainment.[4]
On 2 April 2014, Deadline.com revealed that Denis Villeneuve is set to direct a film adaptation written by Eric Heisserer and co-produced by FilmNation Entertainment and Lava Bear Films. Amy Adams is "in early talks" for the lead role.[5]
On 14 May 2014, Paramount Vantage issued a press release stating it had acquired the North American distribution rights for the Story of Your Life film adaptation, with a tentative release year of 2016. Both director Denis Villeneuve and lead actress Amy Adams have been confirmed for the project, based on "a new draft of a script" by Eric Heisserer.[2]
Footnotes
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Wikiquote has quotations related to: Ted Chiang |
- ↑ LOCUS Index to SF Awards
- 1 2 http://www.deadline.com/2014/05/cannes-wild-auction-on-story-of-your-life-should-lead-to-record-deal/
- ↑ "New Sci-Fi Thriller, Story Of Your Life, Has A Great Concept And Fresh Funding". bleedingcool.com. November 27, 2012. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
- ↑ "Shawn Levy To Tell Story Of Your Life". empireonline.com. November 28, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
- ↑ http://www.deadline.com/2014/04/amy-adams-circles-denis-villeneuve-helmed-alien-tale-story-of-your-life/
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