Understand (story)

"Understand"
Short story by Ted Chiang
Audiobook cover
LanguageEnglish
Genre(s)Science fiction
Publication
Published inAsimov's Science Fiction
Publication typeMagazine
Publication dateAugust 1991

"Understand" is a science fiction novelette by American writer Ted Chiang, published in 1991. It was nominated for the 1992 Hugo Award for Best Novelette, and won the 1992 Asimov’s Reader Poll.[1]

The story has been recorded by Rhashan Stone and broadcast as a four-part series on BBC Radio 7.[2]

In June 2024, it was revealed the story is being adapted into a TV show with Gus Van Sant being attached to direct.[3]

Plot

The story follows a man who is given an experimental drug to heal brain damage caused by anoxia after he nearly drowns. The drug regenerates his damaged neurons and has the unintended side effect of exponentially improving his intellect and motor skills. As he gets smarter and smarter, he is pursued by several government agencies. Eventually he receives a message from another super-intelligent test subject and enters into conflict with him.

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ The LOCUS Index to SF Awards Archived 2015-06-18 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "Understand by Ted Chiang". goodreads.com. Goodreads. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  3. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2024-06-04). "Denise Thé, Melissa Scrivner Love & Amanda Segel Ink Sony Pictures TV Deal, Set Projects With Ted Chiang & Gus Van Sant, Ben Winters". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-08-17.


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