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jupiterspisces's review against another edition
4.0
uhhhhh yeah this made me need to schedule a therapy appointment. i'm too sad after that. thanks a lot
✧ only docked a star because i wish this were longer ✧
✧ only docked a star because i wish this were longer ✧
tnm94's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hapikohw's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
2 for 2 with this author. Loved this short story, and like The Touches, I wish this short story was a full novel. I melt into the world so seamlessly, the speculation of what our real world ways would look in another present always seems so accurate. Themes of power and control are shown through the same tools of oppression exerted on the Indigenous and immigrant peoples in our real world. The “human” way we handle what is “alien”, fear and ignorance sliding into violence and contempt, the regret, guilt and shame of existing in hindsight of such violence, the desire for atonement and pardon. So, so good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Genocide, Hate crime, Rape, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, Classism, and Sexual assault
zoes_human's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
4.0
Powerful, sad, dark and beautiful. One of the best short stories I've ever read. It was tragically realistic and speaks to who we are right now and the worst parts of our human potential.
heniaakbar's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I love this so much. It's beautiful and profound, the story about seeking for forgiveness and those who think that forgiveness is not something to be freely asked nor given.
Damn powerful.
Damn powerful.
rixx's review against another edition
3.0
[The Kite Maker](https://www.tor.com/2018/08/29/the-kite-maker-brenda-peynado/) is a short story playing on Earth, 15 years after a peaceful alien race arrived. The Dragonflies, as they were called, were greeted with violence, and now that they are somewhat integrated into society, the right mob moves against them. Heavy-handed metaphore is mixed with good characterization, leading to an intentionally painful, okay-but-not-quite-good short story.
bluehairedlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
This short story is beautiful and punches you in the gut because people are terrible and this would totally happen.
trish204's review against another edition
2.0
This, for me, was a strange story.
About 15 years ago, a race of aliens fell from the sky. It wasn't an invasion. They were more crash-landing, losing their ships and some anatomical abilities thanks to our atmosphere.
By now, they've tried to integrate, working certain jobs for almost nothing and, of course, there are tensions as some people don't want them on Earth at all while others are riddled with guilt about what we humans did to them when they arrived out of fear of an alien invasion.
On one hand, I know what the author intended with this story as it was very much on the nose. On the other, while there were some poignant observations, I can neither agree with the intended message(s) (at least not all, or unconditionally) nor do I feel comfortable with that scene when.
That, in fact is the most important scene in my opinion as it illustrates the passiveness of Tove's race as well as the more confident / direct way of the humans. However, just because a person is scared or generally more passive, doesn't mean another has the right to do whatever to them.
And to have the kite maker almost kill herself with guilt but then to become such a kind of predator was disgusting.
Moreover, the rest of the story was one massive guilt trip that strongly reminded me of Christian lessons from my childhood. The amount of self-loathing was staggering. After all, there is a fine line between actual guilt and subsequent atonement and this.
So yeah, I'm not sure what exactly to think of the story. Could have been wonderful but unfortunately, it wasn't for me.
About 15 years ago, a race of aliens fell from the sky. It wasn't an invasion. They were more crash-landing, losing their ships and some anatomical abilities thanks to our atmosphere.
By now, they've tried to integrate, working certain jobs for almost nothing and, of course, there are tensions as some people don't want them on Earth at all while others are riddled with guilt about what we humans did to them when they arrived out of fear of an alien invasion.
On one hand, I know what the author intended with this story as it was very much on the nose. On the other, while there were some poignant observations, I can neither agree with the intended message(s) (at least not all, or unconditionally) nor do I feel comfortable with that scene when
Spoiler
the titular kite maker blows on Tove's wings as it signified rapeThat, in fact is the most important scene in my opinion as it illustrates the passiveness of Tove's race as well as the more confident / direct way of the humans. However, just because a person is scared or generally more passive, doesn't mean another has the right to do whatever to them.
And to have the kite maker almost kill herself with guilt but then to become such a kind of predator was disgusting.
Moreover, the rest of the story was one massive guilt trip that strongly reminded me of Christian lessons from my childhood. The amount of self-loathing was staggering. After all, there is a fine line between actual guilt and subsequent atonement and this.
So yeah, I'm not sure what exactly to think of the story. Could have been wonderful but unfortunately, it wasn't for me.
pikevilleut's review against another edition
5.0
Best thing I have read from Tor.com, and that’s saying a lot.
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