(Virtual Reality) Archer designs virtual worlds that help people with their therapy. He despises his boss, who has an unhealthy interest in one patient and neglects the others. (4,881 words; Time: 16m)
Rating: ★★★☆☆ Average
"The Virtual Swallows of Hog Island," by Julianna Baggott [bio] (edited by Ann VanderMeer), published on January 25, 2017 by Tor.com.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: The descriptions of the psychiatrist using VR for therapy have a real feeling to them, and we learn all kinds of things about Archer, Klaus, and even Helen.
We're sad but not surprised to learn that Archer is suicidal.
Con: There’s no plot to speak of. Archer isn’t trying to accomplish anything, and he doesn’t change or learn anything special during the story.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 01/25/17)
Julianna Baggott Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB
We're sad but not surprised to learn that Archer is suicidal.
Con: There’s no plot to speak of. Archer isn’t trying to accomplish anything, and he doesn’t change or learn anything special during the story.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 01/25/17)
Julianna Baggott Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB
Sigh. It's easy to see why Archer is suicidal, yet I was still disappointed in the defeatist ending. Maybe he means he'll play at suicide until he doesn't feel like doing it anymore, but it seems more likely he'd play it until he actually does it IRL. Interesting contrast between the boss who's more concerned with self-aggrandizement and Archer who actually seems to care about making others feel better...maybe to his own detriment.
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