REVIEW: “Such Is My Idea Of Happiness” by David Goodman

Review of David Goodman, “Such Is My Idea Of Happiness”, Clarkesworld Issue 205, October (2023): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

A very timely story about wealth and power concentrated in the hands of a few. Actually, there are very few instances where such a story would not be timely!

When you’re too tired, you have no energy to think. Without original thought, you cannot uplift yourself.

This is true for oppressed and exploited people across the globe, across time. This particular story is set in a future London, with the city and the world being so different from what it is today, and heartbreakingly similar in a few terrible ways.

Stepping out of your comfort zone may bring you peace and contentment, but it’s so hard to step out. Even if your current situation is not ideal, it’s still better than an unknown future, right? There is fear and the people with power exploit that fear. It’s an age old game, and the powerful players keep winning.

But sometimes, there’s a revolution. And sometimes, the good guys might just win.

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REVIEW: “The Blaumilch” by Lavie Tidhar

Review of Lavie Tidhar, “The Blaumilch”, Clarkesworld Issue 205, October (2023): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

A lovely story of self discovery and finding joy. Or is it a science fiction story about future generations living on Mars, and how humans adjusted to life there? Or maybe it’s about how things change so much, but still remain the same in so many ways?

This story is about all those things. It is also about a canal and a man who digs it. Whatever perspective you choose to read this story from, it’s going to be enjoyable.

If you let it just unfold in all it’s glory, you’re in for a treat. Such depth and heart in this one.

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REVIEW: “A Gardener Teaches His Son to Enrich the Soil and Plan for the Future” by Jennifer Hudak

Review of Jennifer Hudak, “A Gardener Teaches His Son to Enrich the Soil and Plan for the Future,” Small Wonders no. 3 (September 2023): 20 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

Every avid gardener is familiar with the scourge that are caterpillars and slugs; but the titular gardener here teaches his son not only how to deal a far greater pest: zombies! The advice is equal parts gross and heartwarming, and makes for a sweet little story.

(First published in Triangulation: Habitats, 2021.)

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REVIEW: “Possibly Just About A Couch” by Suzanne Palmer

Review of Suzanne Palmer, “Possibly Just About A Couch”, Clarkesworld Issue 205, October (2023): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

An absolutely beautiful story of a couch. It just was, it always was. With shades of the iconic Douglas Adams, I loved every sentence, every description, and every transition in here.

I have previously reviewed and loved other Suzanne Palmer stories, so I already knew it was going to be amazing. It was even better than that.

A concise history and future of the universe as we know it, from an exceedingly interesting and unique point of view.

I have only good things to say: read it as soon as you can! It’s only a little more than 2000 words, and more than worth the time spent reading it.

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REVIEW: “Babirusa” by Arula Ratnakar

Review of Arula Ratnakar, “Babirusa”, Clarkesworld Issue 185, February (2022): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

A beautifully engaging novella with so many elements, twists and surprises that I was reluctant to put it down whenever real life called.

Roop and Kabir are the brother-sister duo I never knew I needed in fiction. The richly layered portrayal of their relationship adds so much depth to the story.

I was especially impressed by the level of scientific detail, as well as the character’s well-rounded and interesting personalities. Would definitely recommend this story, especially if you’re interested in the idea of consciousness and individuality. Especially as seen through the lens of a human society farther advanced than us – one with the skillset to program and modify a human being.

This is going to be one of my most recommended stories for people wanting to explore the world of short SFF.

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REVIEW: “Good News, Bad News” by Rhonda Parrish

Review of Rhonda Parrish, “Good News, Bad News,” Luna Station Quarterly 55 (2023): Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

Content note: References to addiction.

This was ostensibly a story of post-apocalyptic Drumheller, but I found it weirdly idealised and utopian. Ty, one of the secondary characters, has a background in “science,” and hence is able to design hydroponics, make use of laboratories, build solar-powered systems — quite the collection of skills beyond the ken of most of the scientists I know! Papillon, the main character, takes on the role of ruler of a metaphorical fiefdom with ease. Everything seems to work out just a little too well and a little too easily for everyone involved. But I did like the sentiment expressed at the ending — almost enough to redeem the story.

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REVIEW: “The Direction of Clocks” by Jess Levine

Review of Jess Levine, “The Direction of Clocks”, Clarkesworld Issue 185, February (2022): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

Time-related stories strongly appeal to me, irrespective of actual plot. In this story, the protagonist travels in a starship solo, through time dilation. This means that she spent three years on the starship, while almost a century has passed in earth years. She left her friends, family, and relationship to escape through time.

**Spoiler:**
Once she reaches a space station, a stop on the way to continuing her journey rimward, she learns that relativistic journeys are no longer allowed, and she would have to spend the rest of her days on the space station.
**Spoiler ends**

Her journey of growth and self awareness make up a large part of the story, but I would have really liked it if the story explored more of her “why”, or how she grows through different situations. Or showcase her maturity. Not all characters need to be likable, so I’m not going to count that against this story.

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REVIEW: “The Old Moon” by John McNeil

Review of John McNeil, “The Old Moon”, Clarkesworld Issue 185, February (2022): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

A robot who believes in spirituality meets a sentient plant that has faith in physics above all. An interesting concept, for sure.

The robot’s backstory gave quite a bit of depth to the story, and as a reader, I could understand their internal struggle to try and reconcile this new information with their existing belief system. Beliefs that had so far been taken for granted.

But knowledge brings power and sometimes the necessity of unfortunate choices. An unexpectedly emotional story.

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REVIEW: “Champion of the People” by Henry McFarland

Review of Henry McFarland, “Champion of the People,” Tree and Stone 2 (2022): 21-24 — Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.

I was of two minds about this story. On the one hand, it’s basically about a boy who is bullied but the experience is the catalyst for making him a hero. On the other hand, it’s basically about a boy who is bullied and the experience is the catalyst for making him a hero.

I don’t really like “abuse is okay because it makes you stronger” stories, but I do like “you don’t have to let other people define you stories.” So I’m very much on the fence with this one.

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REVIEW: “You’re Not the Only One” by Octavia Cade

Review of Octavia Cade, “You’re Not the Only One”, Clarkesworld Issue 185, February (2022): Read Online. Reviewed by Myra Naik.

A very emotionally resonant story, and one that deserves to be read slowly and savored.

Set in the nebulous future, the story revolves around an astronaut and his friend, both dealing with their own disappointments. What I loved about this story was their sympathy for each other, and how they provided each other with space and dignity to handle grief in their own way.

I liked how the author portrayed in the children in this story as people capable of feelings, empathy, and curiosity. I genuinely believe that children are capable of a lot, and sometimes as adults we forget what it was like to be a child with questions and the burning desire for knowledge and understanding. I have rarely seen this level of respect for emotion and dignity in writing. For this alone, I want to read more of Cade’s work.

More than anything else, however, what I loved was how community-minded all the characters in the story were. For me, it was a dazzling display of humanity, and it felt both sad and natural that it would take a massive catastrophic event on a global scale for people to develop compassion towards each other. The people in this story truly understood that we’re all in this together. In this life, on this planet, in the decisions we take.

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