(SF) Randall, a robot, investigates an unfamiliar place: a home garden. (1,351 words; Time: 04m)
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ Not Recommended
"The Artificial Bees," by Simon Guerrier [bio] (edited by Lynne M. Thomas and Michael Damian Thomas), appeared in Uncanny Magazine issue 9, published on March 5, 2016.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: The twist at the end, where we learn the man isn't real either, is quite a surprise.
Con: There's not a story here. Also, it's strange that the robot would be on an operation and yet know nothing about what was in the location. And strange that it could, on its own authority, decide to leave things alone.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 9)
Simon Guerrier Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB
Con: There's not a story here. Also, it's strange that the robot would be on an operation and yet know nothing about what was in the location. And strange that it could, on its own authority, decide to leave things alone.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 9)
Simon Guerrier Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB
I like that you're actually told early on how “All animal classes are believed extinct.” Yet the end is still a surprise because you think the gardener (and maybe some few other isolated humans) are the exception. He and the bees are like works of art to adorn the garden while helping maintain it. Form over pure function. And Randall shows she's "real" by accepting that.
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