Sunday, May 22, 2016

Left Behind, by Cat Rambo

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(SF) Shi handles elderly clients who are recruited to help steer starships through space. Her job is winding up, and one of her last clients presents a special challenge. (6,173 words; Time: 20m)

Rating: ★★★☆☆ Mixed
Recommended By: GDozois:4

"," by (edited by Neil Clarke), appeared in issue 116, published on .

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

Pro: The story concept is great! We know fairly quickly that Shi wants out of her job before the job goes away. We worry about her spending so many resources to get Cianna into space--and her copy with her--but the last line (and the title) bring it all into clear focus.

Con: The story is marred by too many infodumps, including at least one as-you-know-Bob. The genderfluid concept appears here in its strongest form: most people are able to inhabit any sort of body--a claim that would make you wonder why transsexuals today make such a fuss--but then has zero influence on the story.

Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 116)
Cat Rambo Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB

2 comments (may contain spoilers):

  1. 4 1/2 stars from me. I really liked this story.

    I think people can relate to the concept of loosing one's job - like I did. That is what got me into the story. Plus, the SF story concept is great.

    The infodumps are very small, and does explain what is going on. I didn't find them glaring, or getting in the way of the story itself.

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    Replies
    1. I may be extra-sensitive to infodumps, which I define as "any time the author stops the action to tell me something I don't care to know about yet."

      Even after a year, I still remember the ending to this one, and it's still moving, so maybe I did underrate it.

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