(High Fantasy) The kingdom’s security depends on its goddesses, so it’s a big problem that they all want to die. (2,392 words; Time: 07m)
Rating: ★★★☆☆ Average
"Only Calculate the Motion of Heavenly Bodies," by Marcia Richards [bio] (edited by Niall Harrison), appeared in Strange Horizons issue 02/13/17, published on February 13, 2017.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: Halia discovers a way to keep most of what she likes about Alana and make the madness go away.
This is probably an allegory for the role of religion in modern society. To keep the feel-good parts, we have to destroy the theological parts.
Con: Halia is a poor protagonist; she plays no role in the resolution of the problem.
The solution is horrible—they lobotomize these poor women so they can continue to use them.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 02/13/17)
Marcia Richards Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
This is probably an allegory for the role of religion in modern society. To keep the feel-good parts, we have to destroy the theological parts.
Con: Halia is a poor protagonist; she plays no role in the resolution of the problem.
The solution is horrible—they lobotomize these poor women so they can continue to use them.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 02/13/17)
Marcia Richards Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Well, that was uncomfortable (as intended). I guess the title is from this Sir Isaac Newton quote: "I can calculate the motion of heavenly bodies, but not the madness of people."
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