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srgower's review
4.0
I actually listened to this via Levar Burton Reads. Fantastic story, and the ending caught me by surprise (a little). It's a good story to read / listen to that brings up the discussion of cultural appropriation.
ladynigelia's review
4.0
Review of: "Welcome to Your Authentic Indian Experience"
I listened to this story as read by LeVar Burton. There are some really wonderful perks about listening to the podcast - skilled reading from LeVar, and excellent sound design from the staff. There are a couple of downsides - when I'm not paying as close attention as I should be and there's a twist in the story I don't always understand. I originally listened to this a couple months ago, but when I came to write this review, I went back to listen to the end again. The twist is well crafted and definitely made me rethink the whole story (as a good twist should.)
I didn't even notice the second person narrative until other reviewers mentioned it because I'd read all of [a:N.K. Jemisin|2917917|N.K. Jemisin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1438215930p2/2917917.jpg]'s Broken Earth trilogy and it seemed normal to me.
Like others I was initially a bit hesitant about the setting - cultural appropriation is a tricky subject. But as we continued, I thought it was very thought provoking and raised a lot of good points.
I listened to this story as read by LeVar Burton. There are some really wonderful perks about listening to the podcast - skilled reading from LeVar, and excellent sound design from the staff. There are a couple of downsides - when I'm not paying as close attention as I should be and there's a twist in the story I don't always understand. I originally listened to this a couple months ago, but when I came to write this review, I went back to listen to the end again. The twist is well crafted and definitely made me rethink the whole story (as a good twist should.)
I didn't even notice the second person narrative until other reviewers mentioned it because I'd read all of [a:N.K. Jemisin|2917917|N.K. Jemisin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1438215930p2/2917917.jpg]'s Broken Earth trilogy and it seemed normal to me.
Like others I was initially a bit hesitant about the setting - cultural appropriation is a tricky subject. But as we continued, I thought it was very thought provoking and raised a lot of good points.
settingshadow's review
3.0
This is an interesting, hugo-nominated short story. I found it all a little on-the-nose, and it took reading reviews to get insight into the cultural appropriation association.
nipomuki's review
3.0
It is really good. And I hated every minute of it. Leaves me lost and with a horrible feeling in my belly. This lady sure can write.
amphytrite's review
5.0
Nebula winner, Hugo nominee. Excellent short story with a clever twist, smart POV and a good bit of bite. Looking forward to Roanhorse's forthcoming novel.
mollyfischfriedman's review
5.0
Wow - in not a lot of words, Rebecca Roanhorse sets up a world and characters, and then proceeds to devastate you with plot. The character of White Wolf is brutal, and the gaslighting he embodies is so devastating and gut-punching, but in a way that fantastic to read. It did feel a little bit like it was hitting you over the head at times, and I also felt like the end happened maybe a little too quickly (but that could have been because I was reading so fast!).
leftylauren's review
3.0
Reviewed specifically for "Welcome to Your Authentic Indian Experience" by Rebecca Roanhorse as read on Levar Burton Reads
jenniferfrye's review
3.0
In the comments section of that story on the Apex Magazine website, someone wrote: "Given the very end, it’s arguable that 'Jesse' was just a temporary illusion. Someone asked for an Authentic Indian Experience, and they got one — starting with being a modern poor Indian, shilling his culture for white tourists, and then reliving the Indian experience of whites coming, appropriating his culture, and taking his livelihood. Alternately, you, the reader, got an Authentic Indian Experience." I think this is probably the "correct" interpretation of the story.
Overall, it was...fine. Definitely well-written, but honestly a little lackluster. The twist ending, while thematically interesting and momentarily puzzling, wasn't very inventive. My biggest issue, though, is that I never felt like I connected with Jesse or really cared what happened to him (I wonder if this was a consequence of the choice to write this in the second person). Maybe I'm expecting too much of short fiction.
Overall, it was...fine. Definitely well-written, but honestly a little lackluster. The twist ending, while thematically interesting and momentarily puzzling, wasn't very inventive. My biggest issue, though, is that I never felt like I connected with Jesse or really cared what happened to him (I wonder if this was a consequence of the choice to write this in the second person). Maybe I'm expecting too much of short fiction.
bookaneer's review
4.0
{this review is not for the whole issue}
Welcome to Your Authentic Indian Experience is my first story with an Indian POV. Nothing new with the plot and conclusion but the perspective is quite unique and kind of made me sad.
Welcome to Your Authentic Indian Experience is my first story with an Indian POV. Nothing new with the plot and conclusion but the perspective is quite unique and kind of made me sad.