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trish204's review
3.0
This short story is hard to quantify. It's horror but in such a surreal way that it is slightly comical. At the same time, the tale is a bit disorienting at first.
Eric has to get to work. More importantly, he has to be on time AND make a good impression because the regional managers will be there and he wants that promotion.
The problem: the Moon is cracking up, something very weird is happening to people that involves blood and gore and ... will it everything really be fine if he tells himself exactly that often enough?
Whether this is Earth, Hell's version of Earth or a parallel universe - it was weird, in a slightly dark sort of way.
Still, it lacked the certain je ne sais quoi, unfortunately.
You can read it for free here: https://www.tor.com/2020/07/15/everythings-fine-matthew-pridham/
Eric has to get to work. More importantly, he has to be on time AND make a good impression because the regional managers will be there and he wants that promotion.
The problem: the Moon is cracking up, something very weird is happening to people that involves blood and gore and ... will it everything really be fine if he tells himself exactly that often enough?
Whether this is Earth, Hell's version of Earth or a parallel universe - it was weird, in a slightly dark sort of way.
Still, it lacked the certain je ne sais quoi, unfortunately.
You can read it for free here: https://www.tor.com/2020/07/15/everythings-fine-matthew-pridham/
tashillia's review
5.0
"... Heaving, retching, drenched in sweat, barely able to stay on their feet, but they were okay. Just peachy. They knew because they told one another this, and several times."
You know it's good when gore is not the scary part. The choreography of pretending everything's fine was fascinating.
You know it's good when gore is not the scary part. The choreography of pretending everything's fine was fascinating.
highlycaffeinatedreader's review
4.0
This is brilliant! Its both terrifying and pleasant read. And yes, this is 2020 in a nutshell. A world going to shits and what can we do but pretend, 'Everything's Fine', and funny enough, we may very well be alright.
“what a…lovely, lovely night. We’re having a good time. We’re okay.”If interested, here's the link to Everything's Fine from TOR.COM.
quynh23's review
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
crunden's review
3.0
Eric swallowed his tears and looked down at their clenched hands. “We’re fine,” he said, “everything’s fine.”
Ooof, this was a whooper. I was not expecting ... any of what I just read. But I think that made the read all the more hard-hitting. So I recommend just diving straight in. But beware of lots of gore.
Ooof, this was a whooper. I was not expecting ... any of what I just read. But I think that made the read all the more hard-hitting. So I recommend just diving straight in. But beware of lots of gore.
wealhtheow's review
3.0
If you can just avoid noticing the horrors literally killing the people around you, you might survive. A day in the life of Eric, a normal office worker. https://www.tor.com/2020/07/15/everythings-fine-matthew-pridham/
jennyjc's review
5.0
Holy existential hellscape, Batman! I’m on a short story roll right now, and this is one of the best I’ve read so far. It’s a Lovecraft/Bradbury love child, and Dali would be doing the illustrations.
abetterjulie's review
5.0
One of the best short stories I've ever read. I seriously want it to be nominated for all the awards.
This story captures exactly how I feel about *gestures at everything*. It's brilliant.
This story captures exactly how I feel about *gestures at everything*. It's brilliant.
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