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A review by kathyxtran
In the House of Aryaman, a Lonely Signal Burns by Elizabeth Bear
3.0
In a few words: Do you need any more than the tagline "A man has been turned inside-out"? The Law and Order spin-off that we all deserve, if it were a police procedural set in a future India
Why: For having a baller title
Worldbuilding flavour: just right. Sort of on the line with this story, only really because it feels like a glimpse of a larger series that highlights these characters and the world they live in. Aspects of it remind me of a story in Alissa Nutting's Unclean Jobs for Women and Girls that touches on similar aspects of terrible mothers and online-based social connections. Other than presenting the dilemma of whether a talking cat seems cute or eerie to me, I am fascinated by the concept of genetically programming the sense of filial responsibility. It's something so integral in many cultures and many diaspora and immigrant families, including mine. So asking what that means through the lens of science fiction and genetic engineering is fascinating to me.
Why: For having a baller title
Worldbuilding flavour: just right. Sort of on the line with this story, only really because it feels like a glimpse of a larger series that highlights these characters and the world they live in. Aspects of it remind me of a story in Alissa Nutting's Unclean Jobs for Women and Girls that touches on similar aspects of terrible mothers and online-based social connections. Other than presenting the dilemma of whether a talking cat seems cute or eerie to me, I am fascinated by the concept of genetically programming the sense of filial responsibility. It's something so integral in many cultures and many diaspora and immigrant families, including mine. So asking what that means through the lens of science fiction and genetic engineering is fascinating to me.