Something Happened Here, But We’re Not Quite Sure What It Was

Jackaroo #2.1

by Paul McAuley

Something Happened Here, But We’re Not Quite Sure What It Was by Paul McAuley is a complex sf story about politics and xenophobia when human colonists on an Earth-like planet are faced with the possibility of reaching out to alien cultures, especially when a big organization that has previously done harm is in charge of the operation.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories, Aliens, Space

23 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 20, 2016

About the author

Since about 2000, book jackets have given his name as just Paul McAuley.

A biologist by training, UK science fiction author McAuley writes mostly hard science fiction, dealing with themes such as biotechnology, alternate history/alternate reality, and space travel.

McAuley has also used biotechnology and nanotechnology themes in near-future settings.

Since 2001, he has produced several SF-based techno-thrillers such as The Secret of Life, Whole Wide World, and White Devils.

Four Hundred Billion Stars, his first novel, won the Philip K. Dick Award in 1988. Fairyland won the 1996 Arthur C. Clarke Award and the 1997 John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best SF Novel.

Reviews

[Althea Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

On a distant planet - one of fifteen 'gifted' to humanity by benevolent aliens - not much has changed about small-town mentalities. A squabble involving the town council and residents is sparked by a controversy over whether a corporation should be allowed to set up an array trying to contact (some other) aliens; or whether the venture might threaten the town's claim to fame: some alien archaeological artifacts.

[Rachel (Kalanadi) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars - completely enjoyable, seems to reference other stories, but I still found it made sense. So sad my library doesn't have the two novels from this world! I want to read more right away if they are like this short story.

[Peter Tillman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good Jackaroo story: https://www.tor.com/2016/07/20/someth...

Here's a better entry-point into the Jackaroo universe, for $1: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[aleena J · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing style is engaging and funny without taking itself too seriously and the world building is so good I would def read the other books set in the Jackaroo universe. But it was too short for anything to actually happen in this book.

[Alex Sarll]

Paul McAuley has written some books I loved, and some books I couldn't finish. This short story ties in, how closely I don't know, to some recent novels of his I've not read, and it's fine, but almost feels like the exact midpoint of modern science fiction, with its very now interest in anti-corporate protests and unquiet alien memes. In 50 years' time its iPhones and SoundCloud on an alien frontier world will doubtless confer that same rush of mingled charm and condescension I get when I read an old SF novel and someone disembarking the rocket-plane from Pluto looks for a pay(vid)phone.

[Ken Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

A vignette from the author, set in his 'Jackaroo' universe. The hamlet and denizens of 'Joe's Corner'are introduced, and their various reactions to development and change are recounted. The title is an accurate representation of the contents of the novelette. It is a mild bit of fun, nicely written, but without much other than a laying out of the events. And a closing mystery.

Free to read at tor.com - http://www.tor.com/2016/07/20/somethi...

[Marco · Rating 2 out of 5]

Something Happened Here, But We’re Not Quite Sure What It Was is a sci-fi western, set in the fictional world of Paul McAuley, but it can be read as a stand-alone novellette. I did not particularly liked the story, but I am not very fond of the western genre in any form, and I suspect that this is probably what spoiled the story for me.
This is a complex story about politics, corporate greed, superstition, and luddism, set in a frontier Earth-like world, faced with the possibility of reaching out to alien cultures.

[Chris Nagy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story that is a must for those who liked McAuley's most recent books, Something Coming Through and Into Everywhere. It's just a little history and I believe takes place after Into Everywhere.
About 20 pages and a buck for your Kindle.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pocket history of Joe's Corner and population, including the protests against progress or protests for preservation of a way of life, take your pick.

Nicely done but mostly irrelevant to our exploration of the Jackaroo, the Elder Cults, and other alien objects and events

[Odo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5.0

[Alistair · Rating 4 out of 5]

a short Tor novella.

suitable for those that remember Greenham Common, or the Newbury by-pass.

and aliens!!! :)

[Jorgon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story set in the Jackaroo universe, looking at the effects of xenophobia in a near-future society, and, as will most of McAuley's output, leavened with a healthy dollop of cosmic mystery. Fun, and quite complex considering its length.

[Thierry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice short story in the world of the Jackaroo.
I prefer longer texts but anything in the Jackaroo universe is more than welcome anyway.

[Katherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was alright, not really much of a story here that hooked me at all.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Maggie Gordon · Rating 2 out of 5]

A giant meh that doesn't really go anywhere, the characters don't get much development, and readers are left with a fat lot of nothing. Some interesting tidbits, but doesn't work as a short story.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some scientific inaccuracies, but still fun. Reminds me of Heinlein for some reason. Not sure yet why.