Scan barcode
illusie's review against another edition
3.0
This is not something I'd normally pick up, but I wanted to try something out of my comfort zone. From page one I was curious about the main character. I'm not sure I fully understand the story. It's about a homeless person who is chosen by the city for unknown reasons. It's all rather vague, but the writing is very good.
softrosemint's review against another edition
4.0
While I have not read Jemisin's "Great Cities" novels, this little short story / novella made me both very intrigued and excited.
The great thing about the Tor.com short stories and novellas is that it gives a chance to authors to explore or expand on ideas that they might not necessarily be able to fit into their larger work, both debut and established. I believe this pre-dates the full-length novels and it does an excellent job at creating interest in and presenting the concept that is later to become a longer piece of work. (Which is the right decision since reading through the story, I kept thinking how much space it needs to breathe and how it would work out better as a novel or a novella).
Overall, I liked both Jimisin's style here and the themes she explores. I particularly liked how she places Black culture and the Black experience (paticularly that of poor Black people) as central to NYC's identity. I feel like there has always been an attempt to present NYC as white and stifle the amazing art and culture produced by communities of colour, particularly Black communities, while simultaneously being incredibly influential in both the American and international scene.
The great thing about the Tor.com short stories and novellas is that it gives a chance to authors to explore or expand on ideas that they might not necessarily be able to fit into their larger work, both debut and established. I believe this pre-dates the full-length novels and it does an excellent job at creating interest in and presenting the concept that is later to become a longer piece of work. (Which is the right decision since reading through the story, I kept thinking how much space it needs to breathe and how it would work out better as a novel or a novella).
Overall, I liked both Jimisin's style here and the themes she explores. I particularly liked how she places Black culture and the Black experience (paticularly that of poor Black people) as central to NYC's identity. I feel like there has always been an attempt to present NYC as white and stifle the amazing art and culture produced by communities of colour, particularly Black communities, while simultaneously being incredibly influential in both the American and international scene.
alli_thebookgiraffe's review against another edition
3.0
This was an odd read for me. I am giving it 3 stars because I just didn't understand it.
I was going to read The City We Became and saw this was a prequel short story, so I read it. This story had a strong start and then it took an odd turn.
The writing was amazing, but the story confused me.
I ended up not reading The City We Became because of this story being so confusing for me.
I was going to read The City We Became and saw this was a prequel short story, so I read it. This story had a strong start and then it took an odd turn.
The writing was amazing, but the story confused me.
I ended up not reading The City We Became because of this story being so confusing for me.
jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
I am starting a new thing. A couple of mornings this week, I've read free short stories from tor.com. A little short story with my tea before the kids wake up. Ahhhh.
This morning, I read the N.K. Jemisin short story The City Born Great, which is available to read here:https://www.tor.com/2016/09/28/the-city-born-great/
This story is actually listed as a prequel (?) to Jemisin's new novel [b:The City We Became|42074525|The City We Became (Great Cities #1)|N.K. Jemisin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1585327950l/42074525._SY75_.jpg|54760675], which has appeared on several "What to read this summer" lists and is definitely on my radar.
In this short story, a young homeless man is made aware that NYC is trying to be reborn. To breathe free.
The gestation can take twenty years or two hundred or two thousand, but eventually the time will come. The cord is cut and the city becomes a thing of its own, able to stand on wobbly legs and do . . . well, whatever the fuck a living, thinking entity shaped like a big-ass city wants to do.
This morning, I read the N.K. Jemisin short story The City Born Great, which is available to read here:https://www.tor.com/2016/09/28/the-city-born-great/
This story is actually listed as a prequel (?) to Jemisin's new novel [b:The City We Became|42074525|The City We Became (Great Cities #1)|N.K. Jemisin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1585327950l/42074525._SY75_.jpg|54760675], which has appeared on several "What to read this summer" lists and is definitely on my radar.
In this short story, a young homeless man is made aware that NYC is trying to be reborn. To breathe free.
The gestation can take twenty years or two hundred or two thousand, but eventually the time will come. The cord is cut and the city becomes a thing of its own, able to stand on wobbly legs and do . . . well, whatever the fuck a living, thinking entity shaped like a big-ass city wants to do.
dezthereader's review
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
aliceofbattenberg's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
karyssa223's review
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
anindistinctaccountant's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Classism, Racism, Violence, Child abuse, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Death of parent, and Vomit
Minor: Sexism, Sexual content, and Cultural appropriation