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scamp1234's review
3.0
There are some mediocre offerings such as those from Rather and Valentine but with the stories from Yu, Palwick, and West make this a decent issue to pick up.
mikewhiteman's review
3.0
Infinite Love Engine - Joseph Allen Hill ***
Big and weird and fun. The "Ugh, whatever, I just want to chill, man" main character voice pushes past funny/endearing into grating territory though, and does take it down a notch.
If Lions Could Speak: Imagining The Alien - Paul Park ****
So meta, but really well done. A writer called Paul Park is distracted from writing the titular essay by his sick wife, who he is unable to communicate effectively with. Various alien intelligences debate inside his head, cutting him off from human interaction.
Seven Permutations Of My Daughter - Lina Rather ***
A woman visits different parallel universes to find out what to change so she can reunite/reconcile with her daughter. Makes its point simply and effectively.
Someone To Watch Over Me - Nancy Kress **
Obsessive woman inserts a camera into her baby's eye to spy on her ex-husband. Not much to it, other than a picture of ugly jealousy.
Familiaris - Genevieve Valentine ***
Intertwines a fairy tale and a realistic story of reluctant mothers with seven sons. More interesting than the Kress story but still, a lot of bitterness and pent up frustration with parenting here. Perhaps something to relate similar frustrations to, rather than necessarily enjoy.
Remote Presence - Susan Palwick **
Inoffensive but not overly interesting. A nice old lady haunts a hospital because she likes talking to patients, the mean bosses need her to leave, the chaplain is stuck in the middle.
Bookkeeper, Narrator, Gunslinger - Charles Yu ***
Neat idea of the secret behind successful gunslingers as an unassuming shopkeeper discovers his talent for it. Raises some questions that could do with more time and examination than the length permits.
Maybe Look Up - Jess Barber ***
Casual, realistic tone to this one. Two friends discussing what one of them would change in their life, given a short opportunity. Liked the acceptance of the options available, given the restrictions implied. Apathetic but feels appropriate.
The Memory Of Stone - Michelle West ****
Really enjoyed the world of this one, kept me with it all the way through.
Big and weird and fun. The "Ugh, whatever, I just want to chill, man" main character voice pushes past funny/endearing into grating territory though, and does take it down a notch.
If Lions Could Speak: Imagining The Alien - Paul Park ****
So meta, but really well done. A writer called Paul Park is distracted from writing the titular essay by his sick wife, who he is unable to communicate effectively with. Various alien intelligences debate inside his head, cutting him off from human interaction.
Seven Permutations Of My Daughter - Lina Rather ***
A woman visits different parallel universes to find out what to change so she can reunite/reconcile with her daughter. Makes its point simply and effectively.
Someone To Watch Over Me - Nancy Kress **
Obsessive woman inserts a camera into her baby's eye to spy on her ex-husband. Not much to it, other than a picture of ugly jealousy.
Familiaris - Genevieve Valentine ***
Intertwines a fairy tale and a realistic story of reluctant mothers with seven sons. More interesting than the Kress story but still, a lot of bitterness and pent up frustration with parenting here. Perhaps something to relate similar frustrations to, rather than necessarily enjoy.
Remote Presence - Susan Palwick **
Inoffensive but not overly interesting. A nice old lady haunts a hospital because she likes talking to patients, the mean bosses need her to leave, the chaplain is stuck in the middle.
Bookkeeper, Narrator, Gunslinger - Charles Yu ***
Neat idea of the secret behind successful gunslingers as an unassuming shopkeeper discovers his talent for it. Raises some questions that could do with more time and examination than the length permits.
Maybe Look Up - Jess Barber ***
Casual, realistic tone to this one. Two friends discussing what one of them would change in their life, given a short opportunity. Liked the acceptance of the options available, given the restrictions implied. Apathetic but feels appropriate.
The Memory Of Stone - Michelle West ****
Really enjoyed the world of this one, kept me with it all the way through.
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