Reviews

2043... a Merman I Should Turn to Be by Nisi Shawl

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cpaig's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

In South Carolina in 2043, a group of Black people take advantage of an opportunity to alter their bodies with the help of nano-technology to become merpeople so they can claim their 40 acres and a “mule” as a means of reparations in a new undersea community five miles off the coast. Reality hits hard soon after departure when they are pursued by violent white supremacist gangs attempting to either trap them to violate their right of way to what is, in fact, a reservation (and be arrested) or drug them in hopes they will drown (due to sub-par technology). When they reach the city, they discover it is under constant threat of attack by the gang, making the very act of breathing a life-threatening endeavor. When faced with the reality of their new land, Native merpeople and the newcomers band together to thrive despite frequent attacks and make the most of their 40 acres while also exploiting the system that created both the reservation and the altered people who inhabit it.

Haunting and deep. Pun intended.

cathepsut's review

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dark hopeful tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Body modifications allow Darden, Catherina and others to live underwater. White supremacists find fault with that and are on their tail. I liked the idea, but agree with others that this was confusing. Too much between the lines, too many hints at things that due to the length weren‘t explored.

The title is based on a Jimi Hendrix song, "1983... (A Merman I Should Turn to Be)".

“Hurrah i awake from yesterday
Alive but the war is here to stay
So my love catherina and me
Decide to take our last walk
Through the noise to the sea
Not to die but to be re-born
Away from a life so battered and torn...
Forever...“

I wish there had been more rebirth in the story. I wasn‘t quite sure at the end who had done what.