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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
AM ha vencido, simplemente… se ha vengado…
No tengo boca. Y debo gritar.
No tengo boca. Y debo gritar.
fast-paced
disclaimer: i only read the eponymous novella, not the others mentionned in this edition.
this was a ride, and i'm quite on the fence on how to rate it. on one hand, i'm deeply impressed by how the author apprehended the concept of a super-computer annihilating humankind and enslaving the last of the people for dozens of years. but on the other hand, i couldn't quite get over how the only female character was treated. she was described as a crying and pathetic woman, called a slut, and we as readers were told that the only reason she was kind to another man, was because she "wanted his big cock". yeah, i'm not kidding.
this was a ride, and i'm quite on the fence on how to rate it. on one hand, i'm deeply impressed by how the author apprehended the concept of a super-computer annihilating humankind and enslaving the last of the people for dozens of years. but on the other hand, i couldn't quite get over how the only female character was treated. she was described as a crying and pathetic woman, called a slut, and we as readers were told that the only reason she was kind to another man, was because she "wanted his big cock". yeah, i'm not kidding.
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I didn't read all of the short stories; I only read the "I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream" part, which is roughly 11 pages long. Mostly read this because the creator of another piece of media I've been watching stated they had some inspiration from this story, so I was curious about it.
I don't know how to feel about this short story. It is very unique, and I think for the time it was written, probably like nothing else out there. But Harlan Ellison's apparent hatred for humanity and women worms its way through the story, and it's very obvious in the few short sentences that focus on Ellen. Some of Ted's mental dialogue about Ellen made me wince, and I'm still unsure if this was meant to show that Ted is a shitty person or if that's how Harlan Ellis feels about women in general. Apparently, a lot of other stories by this author have characters speaking about women in similar misogynistic ways. This story doesn't feel like there is a deeper meaning to it; it feels more like <i>"If there were two guys on the moon and one of them killed the other with a rock, would that be fucked up or what?"</i> type of story, but with an acid trip twist. I'm still fairly conflicted about this short story. I like it in the fact that it IS interesting and how mind bendy it is. But the weird hatred for women, and especially black women, turns me off to it.
Also yes, I know, it's 1960s scifi, which is usually rife with casual misogyny and thinly veiled hatred for women. I can still acknowledge it's a product of its time, but not like that it shows its age so poorly. This is one of those "Everyone should read this at least once, just to experience it" type of stories.
I don't know how to feel about this short story. It is very unique, and I think for the time it was written, probably like nothing else out there. But Harlan Ellison's apparent hatred for humanity and women worms its way through the story, and it's very obvious in the few short sentences that focus on Ellen. Some of Ted's mental dialogue about Ellen made me wince, and I'm still unsure if this was meant to show that Ted is a shitty person or if that's how Harlan Ellis feels about women in general. Apparently, a lot of other stories by this author have characters speaking about women in similar misogynistic ways. This story doesn't feel like there is a deeper meaning to it; it feels more like <i>"If there were two guys on the moon and one of them killed the other with a rock, would that be fucked up or what?"</i> type of story, but with an acid trip twist. I'm still fairly conflicted about this short story. I like it in the fact that it IS interesting and how mind bendy it is. But the weird hatred for women, and especially black women, turns me off to it.
Also yes, I know, it's 1960s scifi, which is usually rife with casual misogyny and thinly veiled hatred for women. I can still acknowledge it's a product of its time, but not like that it shows its age so poorly. This is one of those "Everyone should read this at least once, just to experience it" type of stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Mental illness, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Murder
Minor: Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
Set in a post-apocalyptic world where a powerful AI system named AM has destroyed all of humanity, except for five individuals who it keeps alive to torture for eternity, I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream is a short read!
Ellison's writing is visceral and unsettling, vividly depicting the horrific torments AM inflicts upon the surviving humans, both physically and psychologically. The story delves into the survivors' fragile mental states, their desperate attempts to rebel against AM, and the haunting implications of a superintelligent machine wielding absolute power over humanity's remnants.
Despite its somewhat bleak premise, the story is an exploration of the human condition, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. Ellison's prose is both poetic and disturbing, rendering a nightmarish vision of a future where humanity's creations have turned against their creators.
Overall, "I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream" is a haunting and thought-provoking work that continues to serve as a cautionary tale about the potential dangers of unchecked technological advancement and the importance of maintaining our humanity in the face of overwhelming forces especially in today’s world!!
Ellison's writing is visceral and unsettling, vividly depicting the horrific torments AM inflicts upon the surviving humans, both physically and psychologically. The story delves into the survivors' fragile mental states, their desperate attempts to rebel against AM, and the haunting implications of a superintelligent machine wielding absolute power over humanity's remnants.
Despite its somewhat bleak premise, the story is an exploration of the human condition, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. Ellison's prose is both poetic and disturbing, rendering a nightmarish vision of a future where humanity's creations have turned against their creators.
Overall, "I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream" is a haunting and thought-provoking work that continues to serve as a cautionary tale about the potential dangers of unchecked technological advancement and the importance of maintaining our humanity in the face of overwhelming forces especially in today’s world!!
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Incredible and chilling. I'd say the only problem is being so short!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Rape, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Cannibalism