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brokenrecord's review
3.0
I looooved the premise of this — a conference where versions of the same person from different alternate realities meet up and hold panels and so on. It's just such a fun idea (although I have to say there's basically no way I would ever want to attend a conference like that if I were invited. I don't think I could handle comparing myself to other versions of me that I perceived as better or worse off!). And the plot of one of the Sarahs being killed and the only semi-investigator Sarah trying to figure out who it was and what had happened had a lot of promise. But the mystery ended up falling a bit flat to me. Since this is a novella, there just wasn't enough time to build up suspects and throw in red herrings and all that. So I ended up feeling like it was a really wonderful premise that was squandered a bit. If the story had been longer and there had been more time to really build the mystery, I think it would've worked better for me. But I still adored the premise and had an enjoyable enough time reading this.
Spoiler
It was obvious to me that the DJ that Sarah interviewed was not the same DJ she had met at the beginning and that the host Sarah was not the true host Sarah. I didn't have all the details worked out before it was all revealed, but the reveal wasn't interesting enough to make up for those aspects being so heavily telegraphed.mrfrenchtoasts's review
4.0
I must be an idiot not to make the link to the Agatha Christie novel, the title alone makes it obvious. In any case, not making the link between the two did not prevent me from loving this novella. Some pretty trippy stuff.
titusfortner's review
4.0
Fun and clever novella worthy of it's Hugo nomination. It actually didn't grab me as completely as I wanted it to, though, so this is rounding up from 3.5 stars.
slategrey's review
5.0
And Then There Were N-One
One of my favorite novellas from 2017. 4.75 out of 5
One of my favorite novellas from 2017. 4.75 out of 5
robinsgraph's review
5.0
Read, or listen to this short story. That's my advice. It's available as text at Uncannymagazine.com or as audio at escapepod.org
victorien's review
5.0
This was an absolute delight. Our-world Author Sarah Pinsker writes a short story about an iteration of herself (insurance investigator) who decides to attend a weekend conference hosted -- and attended by -- other versions of herself. Physicist Sarah is murdered (one of them, anyway), and Investigator Sarah is the only attendee with any related experience... but honestly, the plot wasn't the main draw of this for me.
Instead, it was the questions it raised: would you attend a similar conference? Would you try to make friends? How would you differentiate yourself from other versions of yourself? Would you be jealous, or curious? Where do the divergence points happen? What version of yourself would you most like to meet?
This story is why I love sci-fi. It should've won the Hugo for Best Novella in my opinion, but at least there's a good chance that in one reality, it did.
Instead, it was the questions it raised: would you attend a similar conference? Would you try to make friends? How would you differentiate yourself from other versions of yourself? Would you be jealous, or curious? Where do the divergence points happen? What version of yourself would you most like to meet?
This story is why I love sci-fi. It should've won the Hugo for Best Novella in my opinion, but at least there's a good chance that in one reality, it did.
ladynigelia's review
5.0
This is an incredibly thought provoking novella. I certainly see why it was nominated for the Nebula Award. Beyond the "what ifs" of the multi-verse, it explores the who-am-I-really? questions and encourages us to think of what defines us. Which small decisions make a difference? Which big ones don't? It might allow some people to get beyond the decision paralysis if they decide to believe that no matter the decision, another branch will be allowed to live out the other choice.
In addition to the multi-verse setting, the descriptions and character building is striking. When everyone is the same person, how do you actually do character development? Sarah Pinkster manages it.
I definitely recommend delving into this Sarah-con.
In addition to the multi-verse setting, the descriptions and character building is striking. When everyone is the same person, how do you actually do character development? Sarah Pinkster manages it.
I definitely recommend delving into this Sarah-con.
jasonfurman's review
5.0
I loved this Hugo-nominated novella (or actually more like a short story). A character named Sarah Pinsker (like the author) receives an invitation and makes her way to "Sarahcon"--a gathering of hundreds of Sarah Pinsker's from across the multiverse all staying in one island hotel. Most of them have a variety of histories/memories in common but diverged at various points and ended up in all different occupations, interests, and the like. As she is getting to better know her self/selves, one of the Sarah's is murdered, and the main character is called in to investigate by virtue of the fact that she is an insurance investigator. But really she is investigating her multiple selves.
The mystery has a clever and satisfying solution, but that is not the point--overall the story is humorous, insightful, and makes you think long after it is over. I can't wait to read more by Sarah Pinsker(s).
The mystery has a clever and satisfying solution, but that is not the point--overall the story is humorous, insightful, and makes you think long after it is over. I can't wait to read more by Sarah Pinsker(s).