Scan barcode
A review by omnificer
Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 40, January 2010 by Neil Clarke
5.0
The Thing, the film specifically, tells one story. A monster threatens everything it means to even be human. You feel the paranoia, disgust, and fear at basic biology being violated in such a violent manner.
The Things switches to the other perspective, that of the creature being immolated at every turn. This perspective is such a fantastic reversal of expectations. I haven't read much that encapsulates just how alien the mind of an alien could be. And how terrifying we, humans, would be in turn.
I can't speak to whether this story stands its ground without prior context but I can say that it complements the film masterfully and I've rated it with that context in mind.
The Things switches to the other perspective, that of the creature being immolated at every turn. This perspective is such a fantastic reversal of expectations. I haven't read much that encapsulates just how alien the mind of an alien could be. And how terrifying we, humans, would be in turn.
I can't speak to whether this story stands its ground without prior context but I can say that it complements the film masterfully and I've rated it with that context in mind.