(Historical Fantasy) In 1879, little George and his big brother run away from their farm and sail down the river toward a new life in Pittsburgh. (17,020 words)
Rating: 4,
Recommended
George & Frank Tarr, Boy Avencherers, in ‘Beeyon the Shours We Knowe!!!!’, by Thomas M. Waldroon, appeared in the August 31, 2016 issue of Beneath Ceaseless Skies (Issue 207).
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: This is the story of how George goes adventuring but learns he has a special ability and decides to explore it on his own.
If you speak French, the bits of the language are fun to interpret. We learn from Charles-Valentin that George has the ability to change reality to suit his fancy. For example, when he wishes for kings and queens and to become pirates, they shift to a different reality in which the French and Chinese share North America, and they end up on a boat with a pirate queen. Even without French, it's probably not too hard to figure out.
The best clue that George is mastering his ability is at the end when the raft itself calls out to him. That's not his dead brother's ghost; it's something George conjured for himself.
George's little misspelled section headings are delightful, as is the banter between George and Frank.
Con: The story goes on a bit too long before anything out of the ordinary happens. It's hard to feel very confident that George will do very well all on his own.
If you speak French, the bits of the language are fun to interpret. We learn from Charles-Valentin that George has the ability to change reality to suit his fancy. For example, when he wishes for kings and queens and to become pirates, they shift to a different reality in which the French and Chinese share North America, and they end up on a boat with a pirate queen. Even without French, it's probably not too hard to figure out.
The best clue that George is mastering his ability is at the end when the raft itself calls out to him. That's not his dead brother's ghost; it's something George conjured for himself.
George's little misspelled section headings are delightful, as is the banter between George and Frank.
Con: The story goes on a bit too long before anything out of the ordinary happens. It's hard to feel very confident that George will do very well all on his own.
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