(Slipstream) Jack has been stranded at summer camp for seven years, since his parents keep forgetting to pick him up. On the bright side, his dragon egg is about to hatch. (5,717 words; Time: 19m)
Rating: ★★★☆☆ Average
Recommended By: RHorton:5Add one star if you're fond of surreal humor.
"I've Come to Marry the Princess," by Helena Bell [bio] (edited by John Joseph Adams), appeared in Lightspeed Magazine issue 78, published on November 1, 2016.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: the best thing about this story is the jokes. E.g. Jack suspects his dragon may be defective since his grandmother found it in a Walmart parking lot, and the doctor he shows it to says it looks like a rock.
It often seems that something deeper is going on. Ellen never talks to anyone but Jack, whereas Jack leaves so little impression on people he might as well not be there. Perhaps he's not really there. Perhaps he's Ellen's invisible friend. Or a ghost of some kind.
Con: The ending is inconclusive. Perhaps it's appropriate that the author forgets about Jack just like everyone else does, but it's a bit disappointing.
Question: Does anyone have a more satisfying interpretation of this story?
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 78)
Helena Bell Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB
It often seems that something deeper is going on. Ellen never talks to anyone but Jack, whereas Jack leaves so little impression on people he might as well not be there. Perhaps he's not really there. Perhaps he's Ellen's invisible friend. Or a ghost of some kind.
Con: The ending is inconclusive. Perhaps it's appropriate that the author forgets about Jack just like everyone else does, but it's a bit disappointing.
Question: Does anyone have a more satisfying interpretation of this story?
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 78)
Helena Bell Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB
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