Wednesday 27 March 2024

The Great Silence by Ted Chiang

My name isn't Polly and I don't like crackers.

An exploration of the fermi paradox and a talking parrot as the first-person narrator? Sold!

Ted Chiang is one of those special short-story writers that is on another level and rarely ever disappoints. This is a very short-story but still contains tremendous depth and is surprisingly poignant. Humanity has been obsessed with making contact with distant alien lifeforms in space but what if these "aliens" have been on Earth the whole time as certain animals? In this case, parrots. Not an entirely new premise for SF but Chiang re-conceptualizes it by taking a more philosophical, religious and speculative approach. These are highly intelligent creatures with the ability to communicate with humans but we only perceive them as birds, not advanced creatures from another planet. From an epistemological perspective, how can we be certain this is true? There are so many mysteries of the universe and the search for alien life might be closer than we think. 

You can read this story HERE.

Sunday 24 March 2024

The Ones Who Stay and Fight by N.K. Jemisin

 Afrofuturism.

N.K. Jemisin, renowned for her groundbreaking 'Broken Earth Trilogy,' continues to make waves in the SF/fantasy realm. While I've only read into the first two books of the series, they revealed an author of tremendous talent and boundless imagination. I found her unique spin on Afro-futurism and the distinct second-person narrative voice to be incredibly refreshing. Moreover, she seems to have picked up the mantle from Octavia Butler, who was instrumental in ushering in a new-wave of Black science-fiction authors. 

This short-story collection was one of my most anticipated reads last year. With a respectable author at the helm, a great title, and beautiful cover art, my anticipation soared. Yet, due to procrastination and various other life stuff, I only ended up reading one story from it. While that single narrative was fantastic (review pending), I never returned to discover any other other hidden gems--until now. 

The first story to appear in this magnificent collection, "The Ones Who Stay and Fight", is an obvious nod to Ursula Le Guin's famous SF short story with a similar title: "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas." The intertextual connections might be apparent to anyone who is familiar with Le Guin's story, a haunting dystopian tale that explores themes of free will, equality and justice. I applaud N.K. Jemisin's for her ambitious endeavor to re-envision such an iconic work through a black cultural lens, despite the final outcome not achieving the intended emotional resonance. Personally, the narrative felt gimmicky and more of an homage with an ending that seemed predictably heavy-handed. On a more positive note, the world building is impressive and the author showcases her mastery of the second-person narrative voice. By directly addressing the reader as "you" this narrative technique not only envelops the reader within the fantastical setting but also serves a rhetorical purpose, compelling you to align with the narrator's distinct sociopolitical viewpoint, which unfortunately, happens to be a little on the nose.



The Moral Virologist by Greg Egan

Playing God in a science lab.

The premise of this story is chilling, and given our current post-COVID-19 reality, it only amplifies the sense of dread it evokes. "The Moral Virologist" employs the classic 'mad scientist' trope, presenting a supervillain origin story with a slight twist. Shawcross is an ultraconservative, right-wing individual, deeply entrenched in Christian religious beliefs, and fervently homophobic. He is on a mission to purge the world of all homosexuals and adulterers. 

This god complex will ultimately be his downfall although the author isn't going for originality. Rather, a substantial portion of the story focuses on the complex science underlying Shawcross's development of the virus, its various mutations, and the alarming pace at which it spreads across the globe. The author displays a great deal of skill to balance the hard-science fiction elements with philosophical introspection in a captivating way that doesn't just become insufferable gibberish. While the story may taper off slightly towards the end, it remains a commendable contribution from an author of considerable talent.

Giving Blood by John Updike

Please roll up your sleeves.

It has been a while since I've read anything by John Updike and "Giving Blood" reminds me why it was necessary to take a hiatus. I can appreciate the author's literary technique but the explicit misogyny and toxic masculinity can be a bit much at times. Updike's realistic portrayal of marital difficulties is his specialty and it makes sense that many critics have labeled his writing as autobiographical. The familiar adage that 'a writer writes what they know' resonates strongly with Updike's penchant for capturing life's ordinary moments. It wouldn't be far-fetched to imagine that this story draws inspiration from his own personal life experiences. Updike's seamless ability to elevate the commonplace and turning the mundane into something remarkable is one of the main reasons that I find myself returning to his work.

The tension between Richard and Joan Maple is palpable as they drive to a Boston Hospital to donate blood for some distant relative undergoing a serious operation. The couple is bickering and during their argument, he accuses her of flirting with another man at a party the previous night. He is also sexually frustrated and blames her for their lack of physical intimacy. Dude, needs to chill. Even though it is a small detail and never mentioned again, Richard casually tries to shift the conversation, inquiring about the well-being of their baby, named Bean (maybe it's a nickname?). We learn that Bean had a fever of 102 degrees and the Maples thought it would a good decision to leave their sick child with a babysitter to attend the party. What kind of irresponsible and neglectful parents are these?! 

Updike effectively conveys the emotional and physical disconnection between the couple. However, through their bizarre and shared experience of giving blood, they find a renewed sense of appreciation for each other and a rekindling of the love that had begun to wane, due to work, kids and life getting in the way. By sharing a moment of physical closeness and emotional vulnerability in the blood donation room, they are able to reconnect on a deeper level. As they are leaving the hospital, they have this sweet and beautiful moment together and I might have been willing to give this story a more favorable review if it ended here. Instead, we follow the couple as they celebrate their rekindled love over pancakes at a diner and Updike casually drops this doozy: "Eve was their sitter, a little bony girl from down the street who would, in exactly a year, Richard calculated, be painfully lovely." It's these kind of misogynistic and disconcerting moments in Updike's writing that tends to be quite off-putting. If Updike aimed to depict Richard as a creepy, self-centered, and sex-obsessed middle-aged white man, he certainly achieves his goal.

Saturday 23 March 2024

The Frolic by Thomas Ligotti

Ummmm...yeah.

This disturbing cover art pretty much sums up what you're getting with a Thomas Ligotti story. He fully embraces the macabre and the grotesque to create a unique blend of supernatural horror. Essentially, it is the stuff of nightmares. The H.P. Lovecraft comparisons are valid but Ligotti's postmodernist 'weird fiction' feels different somehow, as if he is subverting various horror tropes and imbues them with a sense that something else is going on behind these appearances. In "The Frolic", a psychiatrist works at a small-town insane asylum. After returning home from work one evening, he tells his wife about a strange patient of his who is a child predator. That's all you really need to know about the plot if you are brave enough to take the plunge into Thomas Liggoti's twisted mind. The weird horror elements of this story are insidious. It gradually permeates this couple's normal existence where a new unreality takes precedence through the supernatural and these malevolent forces defy rational explanation. While this is not the type of genre that generally appeals to me, I am curious to see what else Ligotti has to offer. However, given the unsettling impact of this story, I might need some time to recover before diving into another one from this collection. 

Friday 22 March 2024

Pepperoni by Donald Barthelme

Now I'm getting hungry.

Even when Donald Barthelme misses the mark and presents a less-than-stellar short story, their brevity usually prevents me from feeling completely disappointed. That's the beauty and of the short-story form. You can spend a brief amount of time engaging with the text, anticipating that it will leave some kind of an impression, evoke a certain emotion or enrich your life in some way. If it fails to do so, you simply shrug it off and move on to the next one. If anything, I'm more let down that a story called "Pepperoni" has nothing to do with pizza. It appears once in passing in relation to an article being published by a successful newspaper and media conglomerate. In a snapshot overview, the author presents random details and silly anecdotes concerning the company's management structure. While it's possible he aims to impart a blend of humor and profundity about capitalism or bureaucracy, the attempt feels somewhat superficial. My impression is that this story served as a mere warm-up exercise for the author, akin to cracking one's knuckles, before turning his attention to more substantial literary endeavors.

Thursday 21 March 2024

Angel Levine by Bernard Malamud


Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!

I'm conflicted. "Angel Levine" is a well-crafted 'contemporary' re-telling of the biblical parable of Job within a Jewish context, yet it relies on explicit racism and stereotypes--more specifically, its portrayal of African Americans. Or as the author casually refers to them: Negroes. 

Similar to Job, the protagonist Manischevitz also undergoes a crisis of faith. He believes God is unjust and is being wrongfully punished. Granted, life has not always been kind to poor old Manischevitz. His son was killed it the war (presumably WW2), his daughter ran away with some putz, his wife is on her deathbed, his business burned to ground, he has health issues, he lives in a tiny drab apartment and can't seem to find steady employment due to antisemitism. 

Yikes, that's rough. 

Both Manischevitz and Job question their faith in God due to their suffering. They each grapple with the idea of divine justice and are visited by an angel that helps restore their faith. In the case of Manischevitz, he is quite shocked to find a Negro man in his kitchen claiming to be an angel sent by God to help him. Black Jews do exist, like Sammy Davis Jr. Turns out that when Levine isn't performing his angel duties, he has a part-time gig as a pimp in Harlem. Just another typical negro vocation. 

Malamud sprinkles in some magical realism, employs more anti-black racism, including derogatory jive talk and ends the story with Manischevitz's spiritual awakening just like in the book of Job. Thus, while this story may have some merit as a literary work, the racial representation is problematic.

Wednesday 20 March 2024

Bears Discover Fire by Terry Bisson

The ring of fire, the ring of fire.

My first introduction to Terry Bisson was his excellent SF short-story entitled "They're Made Out of Meat", a hilarious alien encounter story comprising entirely of dialogue (I really do need to write a review at some point). It was very short, clever and witty. This one feels completely different in terms of style and tone, perhaps indicative of Bisson's versality as a writer. Here, the tone is much more more serious and subdued. Most strikingly, it is devoid of any humor. The mundane is juxtaposed with elements of the fantastic as indicated by the title and while this premise may pique curiosity, it takes a backseat to the true essence of Bisson's narrative. The author is far more interested in exploring family dynamics, delving into themes of forgiveness, acceptance, and processing grief. The protagonist's relationship with his nephew and dying mother form the emotional centerpiece of the story. Unfortunately, while the climax aims for profound significance, it falls slightly short due to some sluggish pacing issues. 

One could certainly argue that this story doesn't neatly fit within the confines of traditional science fiction, given the absence of any attempt to rationalize the phenomenon. These unique bears simply exist within the natural world, devoid of scientific explanation. It is a bold and unconventional creative choice. Nevertheless, the story can be quite dull at times and probably could have used more bears doing cool stuff with fire. 

In keeping with the spirited essence of this blog's namesake, I find myself in the midst of a delightful 'literary frenzy,' voraciously devouring short stories at a rapid pace with the intention of reaching certain ambitious reading goals. Unfortunately, I suspect that "Bears Discover Fire" is bound to be forgotten in the shuffle. 

Monday 18 March 2024

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

Full. Metal. Jacket.

I now have a much better understanding as to why "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien is often anthologized and considered one of the greatest short-stories of the 20th century. Suffice it to say, it certainly lives up to the hype. In a meticulously condensed portrayal, the author provides a snapshot of the harrowing realities and psychological toll of the Vietnam War. Through a dynamic narrative lens, we are granted access to the American soldier's traumatic experiences as they march aimlessly towards potential death. 

In a manner reminiscent of a meticulously conducted scientific inquiry or an immersive documentary, the narrative unfolds with pedagogical precision, listing the plethora of physical items each soldier bears, even down to the minutiae of their weight. From chewing gum and rations to burdensome loads of ammunition and weaponry, every item carries its own weight, both literally and metaphorically. This narrative approach is profoundly effective, granting readers a more intimate understanding of the soldiers' physical burdens. As we witness their arduous journeys through dense jungles and unforgiving terrain, we are confronted with the sheer resilience and endurance demanded of these individuals. Their physical exertions, as conveyed through the narrative, stand as a testament to their extraordinary fortitude in the face of adversity. Of course, each soldier also carries the emotional weight of fear, loss, guilt, shame and responsibility to each other as a unit that often goes unspoken. 

From a critical analysis perspective, there are so many different approaches to understanding the story's complex depth. The most interesting aspect for me is the photograph of Martha, carried by Lieutenant Jimmy Cross. Even though it is just a picture of his college sweetheart, she comes to life through his memories and becomes the emotional centerpiece of the story. She symbolizes innocence, normalcy and freedom. In essence, she exists merely as a fantasy in Jimmy's mind, an anchor to a life far removed from the horrors of war. The photograph becomes a sense of comfort and escapism, dreaming about a life together when his tour in Vietnam is over. As he gazes upon the photograph, the narrative seamlessly shifts into his personal reflections, providing valuable insight into his thought process and sense of character. However, we learn that Martha's true feelings for him were not made clear and he is desperately clinging to the hope that he can win her affections after the war. To avoid spoilers, I will refrain from saying much more on the subject but his final decision at the end in relation to Martha helps to reinforce some the story's important themes of guilt, duty and responsibility. 

A haunting and unforgettable short-story that will linger in my mind for a very long time to come.