★★★☆☆ Average
(Science Fantasy) Anna investigates people addicted to a drug that slows down time so much that they can experience a year in the time it takes to fall from an airplane. (5,229 words; Time: 17m)
Recommended By: 👍RHorton.r+1 (Q&A)
"Ten Confessions of Blue Mercury Addicts, by Anna Spencer," by Alexander Marsh Freed [bio] (edited by Andy Cox), appeared in Interzone issue 263, published on March 23, 2016 by TTA Press.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Review: 2016.414 (A Word for Authors)
Pro: At the highest level, this is the story of Anna's temptation to use blue mercury. From the section numbering, the tenth confession is her own, so we're sure she really did use it. But, if we believe her, she chooses to walk away from it.
At a different level, the story seems to be a metaphor for how people fill their lives with work and doing things for other people, only to find themselves old without having accomplished what they meant to do. Or of those who do get free time only to have no idea what to do with it.
Con: It's a bunch of little stories that aren't very connected to each other. We don't get to know any of them well enough to care much about them.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 263)
Alexander Marsh Freed Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
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Pro: At the highest level, this is the story of Anna's temptation to use blue mercury. From the section numbering, the tenth confession is her own, so we're sure she really did use it. But, if we believe her, she chooses to walk away from it.
At a different level, the story seems to be a metaphor for how people fill their lives with work and doing things for other people, only to find themselves old without having accomplished what they meant to do. Or of those who do get free time only to have no idea what to do with it.
Con: It's a bunch of little stories that aren't very connected to each other. We don't get to know any of them well enough to care much about them.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 263)
Alexander Marsh Freed Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
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