Saturday, November 21, 2015

An Evolutionary Myth, by Bo-Young Kim (translated by Gord Sellar and Jihyun Park)

Clarkesworld Magazine, May 2015;  8,173 words
Rating: 3, Good, ordinary, story  Recommended By:  Locus

What if people's bodies evolved during a single lifespan, changing form according to the actions and the character of each individual?

Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)

Pro: The evolution of the crown prince from a man, to a cat, to a lizard, to a water snake, and finally into a dragon reminds us of a fairy tale. The drought afflicts the land from the time the usurper takes power up until the prince fulfills his destiny.

Con: The prince doesn't really seem to earn a good fate, nor does he seem to learn anything profound about the universe nor even about himself. He's a very passive hero--things happen to him, but he doesn't really cause anything to happen.

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