(Portal Fantasy) Ellie used to travel freely to the other world, but lately her door doesn’t work. In fact, all the portals are broken for some reason. (1,772 words; Time: 05m)
Rating: ★★★☆☆ Average
Recommended By: Nebula"This is Not a Wardrobe Door," by A. Merc Rustad [bio] (edited by Brian J. White), appeared in Fireside issue 29, published on January 1, 2016.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: In the end, Ell and Zera open the door for everyone, even adults.
The story makes it clear that it’s a metaphor for being a female-to-male transgender person. As a child, you’re nominally a girl, but you can be a tomboy too and no one minds. As you get older, that door closes. (By contrast, few little boys experience a time when it's accepted for them to be sissies.)
Con: The metaphor aside, there’s isn’t much of a story here. Ellie writes her letters to no effect. The Forgotten Book’s opposition seems merely petulant, and Zera’s victory over it comes too easily.
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A. Merc Rustad Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
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The story makes it clear that it’s a metaphor for being a female-to-male transgender person. As a child, you’re nominally a girl, but you can be a tomboy too and no one minds. As you get older, that door closes. (By contrast, few little boys experience a time when it's accepted for them to be sissies.)
Con: The metaphor aside, there’s isn’t much of a story here. Ellie writes her letters to no effect. The Forgotten Book’s opposition seems merely petulant, and Zera’s victory over it comes too easily.
Other Reviews: Search Web
A. Merc Rustad Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
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