Broken Windchimes by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

The Pané expect perfection from their human windchimes. So, when their best windchime makes a mistake in a musical performance, they cast him adrift. Unable to sing perfectly any longer, he escapes to a space station where he discovers the imperfection of music—a discovery that may just save his life.

 Winner of the Asimov SF Magazine’s Readers Choice Award.

 “[Rusch does] an excellent job in showing us the personal voyage of discovery the protagonist goes on, as his world, and particularly his appreciation of music, widens out step by painful step beyond the crippling artistic and emotional strictures of his youth.”

—Gardner Dozois, Locus Magazine 

 “Rusch creates a memorable tale while exposing the reader to interesting musical and life lessons.” —Tangent Online

 “This is a disturbing story in places, with a few hard choices, but also a heart-warming and compelling one. As is often the case with Rusch, I wouldn't mind seeing more in this world.” —Eyrie

 “The story conveys the joy of music via the written word…” —Dreaming About Other Worlds