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elzabetg's review
3.0
It was amusing. Quick short story. I like the fact that it had an Indian woman voicing an Indian woman and it was an interesting little story. I would have preferred to have more contact with Chairman Miao But it didn't suck.
herielma's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
fancybone's review against another edition
3.0
I love this tour of the future; we get good glimpses of an interesting and plausible world. I want to read more about it.
The story itself is just a quick detective yarn.
The story itself is just a quick detective yarn.
jedbird's review against another edition
4.0
My first by this author. An enjoyable murder mystery set in an interesting world, a futuristic India. I'd like to read more about these characters, and I'll likely read more of Ms. Bear's work in the future.
kathyxtran's review against another edition
3.0
In a few words: Do you need any more than the tagline "A man has been turned inside-out"? The Law and Order spin-off that we all deserve, if it were a police procedural set in a future India
Why: For having a baller title
Worldbuilding flavour: just right. Sort of on the line with this story, only really because it feels like a glimpse of a larger series that highlights these characters and the world they live in. Aspects of it remind me of a story in Alissa Nutting's Unclean Jobs for Women and Girls that touches on similar aspects of terrible mothers and online-based social connections. Other than presenting the dilemma of whether a talking cat seems cute or eerie to me, I am fascinated by the concept of genetically programming the sense of filial responsibility. It's something so integral in many cultures and many diaspora and immigrant families, including mine. So asking what that means through the lens of science fiction and genetic engineering is fascinating to me.
Why: For having a baller title
Worldbuilding flavour: just right. Sort of on the line with this story, only really because it feels like a glimpse of a larger series that highlights these characters and the world they live in. Aspects of it remind me of a story in Alissa Nutting's Unclean Jobs for Women and Girls that touches on similar aspects of terrible mothers and online-based social connections. Other than presenting the dilemma of whether a talking cat seems cute or eerie to me, I am fascinated by the concept of genetically programming the sense of filial responsibility. It's something so integral in many cultures and many diaspora and immigrant families, including mine. So asking what that means through the lens of science fiction and genetic engineering is fascinating to me.
graff_fuller's review
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Interesting - love a good mystery
I hadn't realized it was a Science Fiction mystery.
I enjoyed it. will be reading the sequel, too.
One of my favorite parts is Chairman Meow. Love that name.
I hadn't realized it was a Science Fiction mystery.
I enjoyed it. will be reading the sequel, too.
One of my favorite parts is Chairman Meow. Love that name.
arkron's review
5.0
Cyberpunkish near-future India setting with a locked-room mystery starting with This pink tube. This enormous sausage. This meaty object like a child’s toy "eel", a long squashed torus full of fluid being a human body turned inside-out.
Lots of well-researched background of Indian culture, nice projection of near-future gadgeting, suntrees, complex characters including a talking parrot cat, and some scientific elements concerning bioengineering and astronomical phenomenons.
I didn't get the sub-plot around first-contact and a supernova which was a bit irritating.
The central story is about identity and parent-child relationships in the meatworld and virtual reality. It was quite hard for me to get into the story at first, but then I loved her brilliant and lively descriptions, and the multi-layered plot. What makes me a real fan is her great characterization of the detective duo in this exotic setting of Bangalore.
Is there more of that available?
Read as part of the [b:The Year's Best Science Fiction: Thirtieth Annual Collection|16045130|The Year's Best Science Fiction Thirtieth Annual Collection|Gardner R. Dozois|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1357403925s/16045130.jpg|21823347] anthology.
Lots of well-researched background of Indian culture, nice projection of near-future gadgeting, suntrees, complex characters including a talking parrot cat, and some scientific elements concerning bioengineering and astronomical phenomenons.
I didn't get the sub-plot around first-contact and a supernova which was a bit irritating.
The central story is about identity and parent-child relationships in the meatworld and virtual reality. It was quite hard for me to get into the story at first, but then I loved her brilliant and lively descriptions, and the multi-layered plot. What makes me a real fan is her great characterization of the detective duo in this exotic setting of Bangalore.
Is there more of that available?
Read as part of the [b:The Year's Best Science Fiction: Thirtieth Annual Collection|16045130|The Year's Best Science Fiction Thirtieth Annual Collection|Gardner R. Dozois|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1357403925s/16045130.jpg|21823347] anthology.
lizshayne's review
3.0
Bear is never not good and her future is clever and compelling and fun to inhabit and, of course, I appreciate a good murder mystery.
This was just a really fun short read.
This was just a really fun short read.