You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
Taking place in a world where we, on a global scale, somehow kinda agree to stop breeding so that the earth and nature can breathe instead of being trampled by mankind's overpopulation. And the protagonist finds herself wanting to have a child despite throwing away her current convenience of system-protected, child-free life.
The concept and the execution are good and that's why it's a four-star to me.
Now what I'm going to write is my personal thoughts during reading and has nothing to do with the writing quality. If 2020's pandemic teaches us (alright, it's me) anything, it's that we will never agree on something 'wise' on a global level. Not a chance. I drop-dead laughing on the floor when my reading reached the part about "global agreement". I personally think that the most powerful, most influential countries would never take a clear stance on anything when it counts. Or maybe an agreement is made, but things are not progressing according to the initial plan. We are just that egotistical. Not gonna happen, dude.
So yeah, "Halfway to Fee" is utopia fiction, one way or another. It's nicely written and fun to think about, but never going to happen.
The concept and the execution are good and that's why it's a four-star to me.
Now what I'm going to write is my personal thoughts during reading and has nothing to do with the writing quality. If 2020's pandemic teaches us (alright, it's me) anything, it's that we will never agree on something 'wise' on a global level. Not a chance. I drop-dead laughing on the floor when my reading reached the part about "global agreement". I personally think that the most powerful, most influential countries would never take a clear stance on anything when it counts. Or maybe an agreement is made, but things are not progressing according to the initial plan. We are just that egotistical. Not gonna happen, dude.
So yeah, "Halfway to Fee" is utopia fiction, one way or another. It's nicely written and fun to think about, but never going to happen.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Out of Line 6/7
Another short story from this series that reminds me of a Black Mirror episode. In the future, the human race is basically no longer conceiving children - as they are trying to get the counts significantly down. Every person is given birth control, and if you don’t have children, you are given a ton of government benefits.
The story follows this woman and man who have always wanted children and they plan out how they could live their life in this world that doesn’t encourage having children.
Would I re read? Maybe..
Another short story from this series that reminds me of a Black Mirror episode. In the future, the human race is basically no longer conceiving children - as they are trying to get the counts significantly down. Every person is given birth control, and if you don’t have children, you are given a ton of government benefits.
The story follows this woman and man who have always wanted children and they plan out how they could live their life in this world that doesn’t encourage having children.
Would I re read? Maybe..
I thought this was a great story and seems to be more aligned with "Graceful Burdens". We have another society that does not just allow people to have children. However, in this story, due to overpopulation and the impact that climate change has had on the Earth, the United States and some other countries have used technology to restrict people from having babies.
This story is set in 2060 so it's been decades since the whole restriction has been put in force and the population has dropped. However, a woman named Miriam is now thinking about the risks/rewards of deciding to have a child. She was raised in a world without children so it's unreal to her to think about having babies, but part of her still wants to have a child.
I do have to say though I do love it when Miriam researches pregnancy and thinks why would anyone want to even deal with this LOL. It was a funny moment in a story that definitely is asking I think all of us, what would you do in her situation.
This story is set in 2060 so it's been decades since the whole restriction has been put in force and the population has dropped. However, a woman named Miriam is now thinking about the risks/rewards of deciding to have a child. She was raised in a world without children so it's unreal to her to think about having babies, but part of her still wants to have a child.
I do have to say though I do love it when Miriam researches pregnancy and thinks why would anyone want to even deal with this LOL. It was a funny moment in a story that definitely is asking I think all of us, what would you do in her situation.
Such a wonderful inspirational read, highly recommend!
Halfway to Free by Emma Donoghue is a short story available on Kindle Unlimited (free). One of seven stories in the Amazon Original Out of Line Collection.
A thought-provoking look at what it might look like if the world's collective governments decided to offer incentives for choosing not to have children. Incentives so successful that the world population, having peaked at about 9 billion, is already back to 6 billion and well on its way to "Optimum" or about 3 Billion (the same population level that the world held in 1960). It is 2060 in the story, and incentives began in about 2030.
The main character, Miriam, is feeling an inexplicable pull to be pregnant. This short story does a nice job laying out the world that Miriam currently lives in, how it works, what society's attitudes towards procreation are, and what happens to those who skirt the expectations to remain childless, and become pregnant. 27 pages long, this is a quick, yet contemplative read for those wanting to finish their book challenge, or for those who simply enjoy short stories!
A thought-provoking look at what it might look like if the world's collective governments decided to offer incentives for choosing not to have children. Incentives so successful that the world population, having peaked at about 9 billion, is already back to 6 billion and well on its way to "Optimum" or about 3 Billion (the same population level that the world held in 1960). It is 2060 in the story, and incentives began in about 2030.
The main character, Miriam, is feeling an inexplicable pull to be pregnant. This short story does a nice job laying out the world that Miriam currently lives in, how it works, what society's attitudes towards procreation are, and what happens to those who skirt the expectations to remain childless, and become pregnant. 27 pages long, this is a quick, yet contemplative read for those wanting to finish their book challenge, or for those who simply enjoy short stories!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
This was actually really thought provoking, I liked it
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
An interesting short story that explores a concept and draws an interesting main character
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility
This was my first introduction to Emma Donoghue and now I'm kicking myself for not reading her other work. I loved her writing style and how much world-building she managed to fit in such a short story.
While I didn't really care for the protags' motivations (because I personally don't want kids), I really loved this dystopian setting, the technology, and the social structures. I wish it were at least novella length because I want mooooore!
While I didn't really care for the protags' motivations (because I personally don't want kids), I really loved this dystopian setting, the technology, and the social structures. I wish it were at least novella length because I want mooooore!