(Dystopia) If the government picks the perfect spouse for each individual, why does everyone seem to want to kill his/her partner? (2,332 words; Time: 07m)
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ Not Recommended
"Chubba Luna," by Eliot Fintushel [bio] (edited by Andy Cox), appeared in Interzone issue 271, published on July 15, 2017 by TTA Press.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
The story probably has a symbolic meaning to it, but I’m not seeing it. Nor is a series of absurdities played for laughs. All I see is a collection of random, implausible, tragic events.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 271)
Eliot Fintushel Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 271)
Eliot Fintushel Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
Hi. I'm the author. Is this gauche, to chime in so? I just would hate to have possible readers turned away by Greg's pan of "Chubba Luna." It is not at all a series of absurdities played for laughs. Not a single thing in it is random, or, given the world of the story, implausible. Greg has nailed it on "tragic," however. Certainly, not every story is everybody's cup of tea, but I think "Chubba Luna" does deserve a careful read, anyway, before it's put down as meritless. Maybe if a reader says, "I'm not seeing it," that says it all, God bless him.
ReplyDeleteWe always welcome authors posting here. Sometimes we've even changed a review after an author pointed out what we missed.
DeleteIf I have trouble identifying the what-if, the protagonist, or the protagonist's goal(s), then I'm apt to recommend against the story. Likewise if the story is filled with things that keep breaking my suspension of disbelief.
Fair enough.
Delete