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wanderlustlover's review against another edition
3.0
Summer 2019 (Hugo 2019 Catch-Up);
"We Who Live in The Heart by Kelly Robson
Another of the pieces set in the same world of 2019 Hugo Nominee Gods, Monsters, and the Lucky Peach, I had to track it down when my search for news about the sequel turned up information on two other pieces already written in that world, as well.
While the lack of clarity continues from the novella to this short story, this is a very different type of story as well. We're still in the world where most of everyone is living underground in overpopulated areas, while only small groups are coming up to be part of trying to reclaim the world. Where the novella was a time travel story, this is a voyage one, though instead of it being on a ship it is inside a "whale" (that isn't a whale, but is a creature, and I am still entirely uncertain how to envision it -- but I am not uncertain that there's a lot to be dealt with in the constant restriction of the whales lives, bodies, and reproductive removal).
While I did not get why anyone fell into huge contention and adoption of Jane, I did end up feeling a lot for our main character duo, the girl who longed for freedom and the hardened captain who is all chip-on-the-shoulder who smashed headfirst unexpectedly into love. I felt so much heartbreak by the time we got to the seminal line which informs the title, and so I almost really want this one to be a 3.5 up from my solid 3 on the novella.
"We Who Live in The Heart by Kelly Robson
Another of the pieces set in the same world of 2019 Hugo Nominee Gods, Monsters, and the Lucky Peach, I had to track it down when my search for news about the sequel turned up information on two other pieces already written in that world, as well.
While the lack of clarity continues from the novella to this short story, this is a very different type of story as well. We're still in the world where most of everyone is living underground in overpopulated areas, while only small groups are coming up to be part of trying to reclaim the world. Where the novella was a time travel story, this is a voyage one, though instead of it being on a ship it is inside a "whale" (that isn't a whale, but is a creature, and I am still entirely uncertain how to envision it -- but I am not uncertain that there's a lot to be dealt with in the constant restriction of the whales lives, bodies, and reproductive removal).
While I did not get why anyone fell into huge contention and adoption of Jane, I did end up feeling a lot for our main character duo, the girl who longed for freedom and the hardened captain who is all chip-on-the-shoulder who smashed headfirst unexpectedly into love. I felt so much heartbreak by the time we got to the seminal line which informs the title, and so I almost really want this one to be a 3.5 up from my solid 3 on the novella.
djotaku's review against another edition
4.0
After last month's reveal of James Tiptree, Jr as a pseudonym, pretty funny to have a story of "his" in this issue! Overall another great issue. I think my favorite universes were from "We Who Live in the Heart" and "Running the Snake".
Here's what I thought of each story (a slightly more wordy version of my status updates):
Streams and Mountains: I knew immediately what the reveal would be from the clue they find to the location the story takes place in. But then the author takes that and goes off in a directions I NEVER would have guessed. Great story!
We Who Live in the Heart: A story about a group of humans who live within some floating creatures on another planet. A neat world the author has created and a fun meditation on why humans congregate in the groups they do. I'd love to see more of this world.
Baroness: A crew explores a distressed sub. A trope we've seen a million times in SF, but done very differently. I like both the changes to the trope the author makes as well as the way the story is used to explore ideas of emigration, acceptance, and adapting to your new home.
The Person who saw Cetus: In contrast to last month's Chinese short story, this one (apart from a couple odd turns of phrase) does not seem to have anything inherently Chinese about it. And this is one of the great aspects of reading SFF from other cultures - at times it's heavily influenced and other times it's about something so fundamentally human, that culture doesn't enter into it. This one involves a woman trying to come to terms with her neuro-atypical father and their interactions as she grew up.
Running the Snake: There are a couple of potential anachronisms that make it so I'm unsure if this is a story that takes place during the days of the Roman Empire or in an alternate Earth where the Roman and Celtic empires lasted into modern times. Either way, it takes place in the realm of Boudicca of the Celts when they're in a Britain that abuts the Roman Empire. Starts off as a fun story about a confidence scheme, but becomes a fun detective story. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to spend more time in this world.
The Man Who Walked Home: The end of this section reveals it was published in the 1970s. It certainly has that feel - similar to George RR Martin's old SF back before he started on the path of ASOIAF. It's almost more a mystery and sociology story than SF, again like some of GRRM's old SF short stories. I tend to enjoy these types SF stories where it's almost less a story and more a wikipedia entry about how the world changes in the face of the disaster that opens the story. (Well, minus the opening italicized text which makes no sense until late in the story). It was, indeed, an enjoyable story and I liked seeing where the author took it.
Non-Fiction
Cut, Fold, and Conquer the Universe: Apparently there's a whole world out there of people who create paper models of SFF things like Star Trek space ships. I had no idea!
Fallen Angels and Water Dragons: A Conversation with Aliette de Bodard: An interview about a book series that takes place in 19th century Paris.
Another word: The Elizabeth Effect: How being an SF fan affects the way you see the world. How regular folks engage in multiple timeline thinking all the time.
Editor's Desk: Talks about teaching and helping those who are behind you on the career path.
Here's what I thought of each story (a slightly more wordy version of my status updates):
Streams and Mountains: I knew immediately what the reveal would be from the clue they find to the location the story takes place in. But then the author takes that and goes off in a directions I NEVER would have guessed. Great story!
We Who Live in the Heart: A story about a group of humans who live within some floating creatures on another planet. A neat world the author has created and a fun meditation on why humans congregate in the groups they do. I'd love to see more of this world.
Baroness: A crew explores a distressed sub. A trope we've seen a million times in SF, but done very differently. I like both the changes to the trope the author makes as well as the way the story is used to explore ideas of emigration, acceptance, and adapting to your new home.
The Person who saw Cetus: In contrast to last month's Chinese short story, this one (apart from a couple odd turns of phrase) does not seem to have anything inherently Chinese about it. And this is one of the great aspects of reading SFF from other cultures - at times it's heavily influenced and other times it's about something so fundamentally human, that culture doesn't enter into it. This one involves a woman trying to come to terms with her neuro-atypical father and their interactions as she grew up.
Running the Snake: There are a couple of potential anachronisms that make it so I'm unsure if this is a story that takes place during the days of the Roman Empire or in an alternate Earth where the Roman and Celtic empires lasted into modern times. Either way, it takes place in the realm of Boudicca of the Celts when they're in a Britain that abuts the Roman Empire. Starts off as a fun story about a confidence scheme, but becomes a fun detective story. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to spend more time in this world.
The Man Who Walked Home: The end of this section reveals it was published in the 1970s. It certainly has that feel - similar to George RR Martin's old SF back before he started on the path of ASOIAF. It's almost more a mystery and sociology story than SF, again like some of GRRM's old SF short stories. I tend to enjoy these types SF stories where it's almost less a story and more a wikipedia entry about how the world changes in the face of the disaster that opens the story. (Well, minus the opening italicized text which makes no sense until late in the story). It was, indeed, an enjoyable story and I liked seeing where the author took it.
Non-Fiction
Cut, Fold, and Conquer the Universe: Apparently there's a whole world out there of people who create paper models of SFF things like Star Trek space ships. I had no idea!
Fallen Angels and Water Dragons: A Conversation with Aliette de Bodard: An interview about a book series that takes place in 19th century Paris.
Another word: The Elizabeth Effect: How being an SF fan affects the way you see the world. How regular folks engage in multiple timeline thinking all the time.
Editor's Desk: Talks about teaching and helping those who are behind you on the career path.
pearseanderson's review against another edition
4.0
Lol, when you read a magazine so fast you're the only one to rate it on Goodreads besides the authors.
Overall, one of the best Clarkesworld issues I have read. Kinda confusing though: did Clarkesworld publish more original fiction, and just change its ratio later on? Because half of these short stories are reprints, which is fine, but disconcerting at times. It's getting less evident it is a place where good readers can become good writers in the same publication.
This issue had "Streams and Mountains," an alright tale with no satisfying ending about cryptids.
"We Who Live in the Heart," a novelette(?) that was a lot of fun, and whose internal logic was confusing but which I went along with anyway, because I was having a good time.
"Baroness," a story that slumped throughout it, but had some great concepts. Again, perhaps I just wanted the world's rules to be more clearly delineated, especially early on.
"The Person Who Saw Cetus," which was a basic but creative translation with a warming ending. Good, especially for a YA reader.
"Running the Snake," which, again, didn't give me as many basics about the role of characters—especially at the end, when a mystery is trying to be solved. But, fun, kinda sandalpunk noir.
"The Man Who Walked Home," a story about Idaho and societies that develop around an accident. Can't say I loved the arc this story took, but it was experimental and curious enough to keep me for its length.
Good nonfiction. More solid than previous months: explained concepts and took me into their inner workings. So overall, each story would not make my Best Prose of 2017 list, but it's not a bad collection of stories, and the stories aren't bad. So a soft 8/10, I guess.
Overall, one of the best Clarkesworld issues I have read. Kinda confusing though: did Clarkesworld publish more original fiction, and just change its ratio later on? Because half of these short stories are reprints, which is fine, but disconcerting at times. It's getting less evident it is a place where good readers can become good writers in the same publication.
This issue had "Streams and Mountains," an alright tale with no satisfying ending about cryptids.
"We Who Live in the Heart," a novelette(?) that was a lot of fun, and whose internal logic was confusing but which I went along with anyway, because I was having a good time.
"Baroness," a story that slumped throughout it, but had some great concepts. Again, perhaps I just wanted the world's rules to be more clearly delineated, especially early on.
"The Person Who Saw Cetus," which was a basic but creative translation with a warming ending. Good, especially for a YA reader.
"Running the Snake," which, again, didn't give me as many basics about the role of characters—especially at the end, when a mystery is trying to be solved. But, fun, kinda sandalpunk noir.
"The Man Who Walked Home," a story about Idaho and societies that develop around an accident. Can't say I loved the arc this story took, but it was experimental and curious enough to keep me for its length.
Good nonfiction. More solid than previous months: explained concepts and took me into their inner workings. So overall, each story would not make my Best Prose of 2017 list, but it's not a bad collection of stories, and the stories aren't bad. So a soft 8/10, I guess.
mikewhiteman's review
4.0
Streams And Mountains - Nick Wolven **
We Who Live In The Heart - Kelly Robson ***
Baroness - E Catherine Tobler ***
The Person Who Saw Cetus - Tang Fei ****
Running The Snake - Kage Baker ***
The Man Who Walked Home - James Tiptree Jr ****
We Who Live In The Heart - Kelly Robson ***
Baroness - E Catherine Tobler ***
The Person Who Saw Cetus - Tang Fei ****
Running The Snake - Kage Baker ***
The Man Who Walked Home - James Tiptree Jr ****
More...