Thanks for joining me for this Sunday’s short story selection. “Robot” by Helena Bell is one of the stories nominated for this year’s Nebula Award. The story was featured in the September 2012 issue of Clarkesworld and along with “Immersion” by Aliette de Bodard is one of my favorite picks for the award. When I first reviewed the story for SF Signal I wrote:

“Bell’s story is constructed as a conversation in which the reader sees only one side, that of an older woman as she instructs the alien robot purchased to process the diseased flesh of her feet and legs. Or perhaps it is not a “conversation” at all but instead a running commentary that may be occurring aloud or simply within the mind of the protagonist. The story is brilliantly conceived and executed in that it conveys a sense of the passage of time, reveals much about the protagonist’s past and present, paints a picture for the reader of what the world looks like in the future that Helena Bell has created and offers layers of meaning all while maintaining this deceptively simple structure. The horrifying nature of the procedure this woman is undergoing is ever present while her litany of instructions as to how this being must act shows a wide range of emotions that she is undergoing, the stages of grief on display as well as evidence of the first signs of dementia. The one-sided structure of the story lends an air of suspicion that makes the reader question what is real and what is imagination with Bell leaving bread crumbs to lead one down either path.”

And that is about all I want to share with those who have not read the story. This morning’s reading, in preparation for the discussion to follow, is my third and I was startled with the things that caught my eye with this reading as opposed to the previous two. It speaks to the strengths of the story that it reveals so much outside of the very narrow focus of the protagonist and what is occurring in her life.

Take a few minutes to give “Robot” a read and then come and share your thoughts.

Continue reading “Robot” by Helena Bell →

It is once again Friday, and that means I’ve been reading some of the latest short fiction offerings in Science Fiction and Fantasy in order to bring them to your attention, dear readers. Due to some time constraints this week I had to switch things up and so instead of part two of the latest issue of Asimov’s I read the original fiction selections from the latest edition of Clarkesworld.

These three stories are wonderfully weird and certainly out of the science fiction norm. If you are looking for something that challenges your definitions of science fiction then head over and check out my review on SF Signal. All three stories are up for free reading on the Clarkesworld site and the links are in my non-spoiler reviews.

Have a wonderful April weekend everyone! Get outside and enjoy the Spring weather, if you’ve got it, and don’t forget to make time for journeying into world’s fantastic and wonderful.

I’m off tomorrow to see Wil Wheaton at Kansas City’s Planet Comicon!

Thank God it is Friday! And not just because of the celebration of short fiction! I don’t know about the rest of you, but it has been one long week here. The week started with a large dumping of snow on Sunday and is ending with a predicted high of 67 degrees. We’ve had computer training several days this week on top of meetings on top of project deadlines on top of all the unexpected things that crop up during any given week. Whew! I’m tired. And on top of that I’ve had to try to work in time to get some reading done! I am ready for the weekend.

This week over at SF Signal I review the first part of this double issue of Asimov’s and will follow up with the second part next Friday. Thus far this is a really good issue of the magazine. Neal Asher’s novella opens the story section with modern Blade-Runner-ish visuals and a morally ambiguous character that you still find yourself rooting for. The other two stories I reviewed this week were enjoyable as well.

Editor Sheila Williams’ writings on real life astronauts continues with another great editorial. And Robert Silverberg waxes eloquent about his desk (a link to this article is in the post).

Come on over and check it out.

And if you are participating, or want to participate, in any short story reading for Once Upon a Time VII, don’t forget to read Purity Test by Kristine Kathryn Rusch and join us in the discussion on Sunday.

Each week it gets more and more difficult to share anything about the newly-released episode for fear of spoiling the story for those who are either behind on their episodic reading or are waiting to read the story in its entirety when it comes out soon in novel form.

This past Tuesday saw the release of episode eleven of The Human Division, leaving us with only two more to go. “A Problem of Proportion” returns readers to the Clarke with Lieutenant Wilson taking center stage. The crew of the Clarke find themselves interacting with a crew from the Conclave and in so doing find what could be a key piece of the puzzle of who is orchestrating the attacks that begin in episode one.

Whenever we are with the Clarke I am a pleased reader and this week was no exception. I continue to be concerned about how this can possibly be wrapped up satisfactorily with so little time left but that has not stopped me from enjoying the experience and looking forward to each week’s episode.

If you want to join me for a more detailed discussion of the story, please follow after the break.

Continue reading A Problem of Proportion ~John Scalzi →

Episode 10 of John Scalzi’s novel The Human Division breaks with form while holding with form. In the past 9 episodes readers have been treated to stories alternating between the Clarke and its crew and other events happening in the universe. This week we leave behind the Clarke, as per schedule, but travel home with a member of the crew–Hart Schmidt of the Diplomatic Corp.

Schmidt has returned to his home colony of Phoenix for the annual Harvest Day celebration, the one time a year he steps away from his job as assistant to Ambassador Ode Abumwe, to visit his wealthy, ambitious and connected family. As we all know from personal experience, nothing says family like the drama that ensues during the holiday season.

In previous stories Hart has been relegated to being a sidekick of sorts to Harry Wilson. “This Must Be The Place” gives Schmidt an opportunity to shine on his own and John Scalzi allows Schmidt to make the most of this opportunity, including reassessing who he is and what he does for a living.

While it is hard to see how John Scalzi will be able to wrap up the conspiracy in the three remaining episodes of The Human Division, this was a nice fleshing out of one of the more interesting characters in the story.

Hereafter there be spoilers.

Continue reading This Must Be The Place ~John Scalzi →