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jess_mango's review
4.0
I am starting a new thing. A couple of mornings this week, I've read free short stories from tor.com. A little short story with my tea before the kids wake up. Ahhhh.
This morning, I read the N.K. Jemisin short story The City Born Great, which is available to read here:https://www.tor.com/2016/09/28/the-city-born-great/
This story is actually listed as a prequel (?) to Jemisin's new novel [b:The City We Became|42074525|The City We Became (Great Cities #1)|N.K. Jemisin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1585327950l/42074525._SY75_.jpg|54760675], which has appeared on several "What to read this summer" lists and is definitely on my radar.
In this short story, a young homeless man is made aware that NYC is trying to be reborn. To breathe free.
The gestation can take twenty years or two hundred or two thousand, but eventually the time will come. The cord is cut and the city becomes a thing of its own, able to stand on wobbly legs and do . . . well, whatever the fuck a living, thinking entity shaped like a big-ass city wants to do.
This morning, I read the N.K. Jemisin short story The City Born Great, which is available to read here:https://www.tor.com/2016/09/28/the-city-born-great/
This story is actually listed as a prequel (?) to Jemisin's new novel [b:The City We Became|42074525|The City We Became (Great Cities #1)|N.K. Jemisin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1585327950l/42074525._SY75_.jpg|54760675], which has appeared on several "What to read this summer" lists and is definitely on my radar.
In this short story, a young homeless man is made aware that NYC is trying to be reborn. To breathe free.
The gestation can take twenty years or two hundred or two thousand, but eventually the time will come. The cord is cut and the city becomes a thing of its own, able to stand on wobbly legs and do . . . well, whatever the fuck a living, thinking entity shaped like a big-ass city wants to do.
dezthereader's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
aliceofbattenberg's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
karyssa223's review against another edition
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
anindistinctaccountant's review
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Classism, Racism, Violence, Child abuse, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Death of parent, and Vomit
Minor: Sexism, Sexual content, and Cultural appropriation
aldora's review
5.0
A fascinating story that is absolutely worth the 15 minutes it takes to get through. The amount of world and character building that the author manages to fit in to just over a dozen pages, without it feeling crammed in, is extraordinary.
amybraunauthor's review
5.0
A beautifully written short story about a young city protecting its people from cosmic threats. Despite being so short, this story nonetheless has all the passion and power that comes with all Jemisin works. It's brilliant and unlike anything else you'll ever read.
tshim's review
5.0
N. K. Jemisin's writing is like nothing else - there's a deafening heartbeat pulse of vitality to this one whose echoes are still throbbing in my brain. She's one of the few authors whose works can consistently bring tears to my eyes. Today with The City Born Great, she did it in less time than it takes me to make a cup of coffee. Wow.