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A review by pearseanderson
Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 128 by Neil Clarke
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.