Friday, October 9, 2015

Holding the Ghosts, by Gwendolyn Clare

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A body used commercially to host the personalities of dead people starts to get a mind of its own. Satisfying. (3,400 words; Time: 11m)

Rating: ★★★☆☆ Average

"," by (edited by Sheila Williams), appeared in issue 03|15, published on by .

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

Pro: The steady progress of the body from zero to multiple personalities to one integrated whole is described well. The scene where Maxine figures it all out is good. The final line is a good ending.

Con: The body seems to start thinking very clearly and coherently--it's not clear that it ought to have its own personality at all in addition to the other ones that share it. You'd think the company would detect signs of thinking. It's a little hard to believe that people would be comfortable with the body of a stranger carrying the "ghost" of a loved one.

Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 03|15)
Gwendolyn Clare Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB

1 comment (may contain spoilers):

  1. Another story that I wished was longer, interesting emergence of a separate consciousness while still retaining part of previous ‘memories’. And yes the strangest is the use of a total stranger who happens to be cataconic-born. IMO a fully created robot like in Westworld tv show would make more sense

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