(Post Apocalypse) Agneta and her little sister, Saga, are among the last human survivors. The invading aliens have assigned a modified human "governess" to watch over them. (6,742 words; Time: 22m)
Rating: ★★★☆☆ Average
"The Governess with a Mechanical Womb," by Leena Likitalo [bio] (edited by Neil Clarke), appeared in Clarkesworld issue 114, published on March 1, 2016.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: The story starts with Agneta's unhappiness coupled with her desire to protect her sister. It concludes with what amounts to her suicide--a suicide that still lets her take care of her sister. A chilling ending.
Con: The setup is rather hard to believe, and the story leaves a lot unanswered. What are the aliens trying to accomplish? What's the point of converts? Why do the governesses have mechanical wombs?
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 114)
Con: The setup is rather hard to believe, and the story leaves a lot unanswered. What are the aliens trying to accomplish? What's the point of converts? Why do the governesses have mechanical wombs?
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 114)
A bleak story to go with the bleak setting. I didn't see that ending coming and didn't really like it, but it makes sense from Agneta's limited point-of-view. She escapes her pain knowing she'll still continue doing the only thing she really cared about anymore before converting. Her sister gets a new governess she won't resent replacing the first. The inscrutable aliens really add to the hopelessness.
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