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caedocyon's review
3.0
Still trying to think what to say about this. The narrative hums along, very readable (or listenable, in this case). The premise---what if there was an actual test you could (or had to) take to prove your gender?---is an interesting one, as long as the reader keeps in mind that it's an oversimplification of how our culture assigns genders.
I think, at the end of it, I'm just incredibly annoyed that I thought this was a story about two trans women, one who passes and one who doesn't want to, and how they navigate a mostly cis female environment. Also, the narrator is tough and wants to be a badass and doesn't always think first, and you never get female characters like that. Actually, ARGH!! It came off as All About The Menz, and I'm not sure what conclusion we're supposed to draw from John's experience. The whole thing just doesn't work the way the author probably intended it to.
I think, at the end of it, I'm just incredibly annoyed that I thought this was a story about two trans women, one who passes and one who doesn't want to, and how they navigate a mostly cis female environment. Also, the narrator is tough and wants to be a badass and doesn't always think first, and you never get female characters like that. Actually,
Spoiler
the narrator's a straight trans man and John is a gender non-conforming cis man who just reallllly wants to be a nurse.villyidol's review
4.0
4.5 stars for Seanan McGuire's "The Jaws That Bite, the Claws That Catch"
A beautiful short story, set in Wonderland.
You can read it here: http://www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/jaws-bite-claws-catch/
A beautiful short story, set in Wonderland.
You can read it here: http://www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/jaws-bite-claws-catch/
alexcanread's review
5.0
I'm always and forever drawn to stories that revisit and reimagine Wonderland. Too often I am disappointed. The Jaws That Bite, The Claws That Catch is a wonderful entry into the world of Wonderland from a new and different perspective. It's Wonderland, and it's both about Alice and not about Alice, and it's wonderful.
hisham's review
4.0
My favourites in this issue were:
The Jaws That Bite, The Claws That Catch by Seanan McGuire - An awesome fantasy short story, full of monsters and a quest to save a little girl. But just who are the monsters? This story is deliciously charming!
Hungerford Bridge by Elizabeth Hand - A short, yet thought provoking tale set by the Thames in London. (I found this all the more enjoyable for knowing EXACTLY where it is set, I've been there and eaten my sandwiches there many a time!)
The Plagiarist by Hugh Howey - A thoughtful novella reprint, I can't describe it very well without giving a major spoiler(s), but just ask yourself, could it really be turtles all the way down? What about Up? (That's a metaphor you'll hopefully understand if you read this great story!
The Jaws That Bite, The Claws That Catch by Seanan McGuire - An awesome fantasy short story, full of monsters and a quest to save a little girl. But just who are the monsters? This story is deliciously charming!
Hungerford Bridge by Elizabeth Hand - A short, yet thought provoking tale set by the Thames in London. (I found this all the more enjoyable for knowing EXACTLY where it is set, I've been there and eaten my sandwiches there many a time!)
The Plagiarist by Hugh Howey - A thoughtful novella reprint, I can't describe it very well without giving a major spoiler(s), but just ask yourself, could it really be turtles all the way down? What about Up? (That's a metaphor you'll hopefully understand if you read this great story!
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