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ninj's review against another edition
4.0
"Non-Zero Probabilities" by N.K. Jemisin
A quite interesting take on luck made manifest - how does it affect the world, how does it affect people and their behaviour? What does it mean for belief?
A quite interesting take on luck made manifest - how does it affect the world, how does it affect people and their behaviour? What does it mean for belief?
wbdallas's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, I ended up liking this one, but not to the extent I thought I would considering the interesting plot. There was a lot of good, but also a bit I didn't like about the story too.
Things I liked:
Descriptions. "Like a beached aluminum whale", "yappy islands interrupting the sidewalk river's flow", are just a couple of the descriptions I really liked.
I liked the way the main character deals with emotions and justifies using certain ones instead of others, such as anger instead of horror because anger makes a better shield.
Also, I found it interesting how gestures of luck have actual weight in the world here, how crossed fingers could possibly alter the results of a dice throw. How far people take it--like if they're killing black cats and what not--I could totally see people doing that in real life. With the huge prayer gathering and doomsday prepping and all, people would likely take it to that level. I have no doubts.
The concept: I really liked the concept of the story, and I'm glad this is a short story and not a novel, as the novelty was already beginning to wear off by the end of the story. Even though I wish it were just slightly longer, if it went too much longer I would have gotten tired.
The characters: I liked the main character and her view of the world. If I were in her situation I would likely be just as cautious as she was. I'd likely never leave my house. I also liked her neighbor and I'm glad they got together, as he seemed like a nice guy. His "shit happens" speech was very interesting, and maybe my favorite part of the story. You can tell she takes the message to heart by the end too.
Things I didn't like: Parenthesis everywhere.
I didn't like that we don't get to see the big event or what happens after. I kind of understand why the author left it where she did, but it made me a bit upset that I couldn't see the aftermath.
Things I liked:
Descriptions. "Like a beached aluminum whale", "yappy islands interrupting the sidewalk river's flow", are just a couple of the descriptions I really liked.
I liked the way the main character deals with emotions and justifies using certain ones instead of others, such as anger instead of horror because anger makes a better shield.
Also, I found it interesting how gestures of luck have actual weight in the world here, how crossed fingers could possibly alter the results of a dice throw. How far people take it--like if they're killing black cats and what not--I could totally see people doing that in real life. With the huge prayer gathering and doomsday prepping and all, people would likely take it to that level. I have no doubts.
The concept: I really liked the concept of the story, and I'm glad this is a short story and not a novel, as the novelty was already beginning to wear off by the end of the story. Even though I wish it were just slightly longer, if it went too much longer I would have gotten tired.
The characters: I liked the main character and her view of the world. If I were in her situation I would likely be just as cautious as she was. I'd likely never leave my house. I also liked her neighbor and I'm glad they got together, as he seemed like a nice guy. His "shit happens" speech was very interesting, and maybe my favorite part of the story. You can tell she takes the message to heart by the end too.
Things I didn't like: Parenthesis everywhere.
I didn't like that we don't get to see the big event or what happens after. I kind of understand why the author left it where she did, but it made me a bit upset that I couldn't see the aftermath.
nairia's review
5.0
Not exactly my cup of tea, but a thrilling short story, I was honestly left wanting to know what happens
acityofbooks's review
** Marking read for the short story that was printed in this issue by N.K. Jemisin. This was read for the module: Writing Genre Fiction. **
nairia's review against another edition
5.0
Not exactly my cup of tea, but a thrilling short story, I was honestly left wanting to know what happens
tawallah's review
3.0
I listened to this short story on podcast, narrated by Kate Baker who did a great job. As usual with me and Jemisin there were things I liked and things that put me off. I can never quite fall in love with her stories. Based in New York, you meet characters coping with the aftermath of an unknown tragic event. Her description are vivid but certain concepts alienated me. Others may enjoy this one more than me.
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