(Slipstream) Shelly’s grandma teaches her how to deal with ghosts so she can continue the family ghost business. (5,000 words; Time: 16m)
Rating: ★★★☆☆ Average
"If a Bird Can Be a Ghost," by Allison Mills [bio] (edited by Amy H. Sturgis), appeared in Apex Magazine issue 99, published on August 1, 2017.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: The basic mechanics of dealing with ghosts are fascinating. The way grandma apologizes to Joseph for sending him on to the next world is amusing and poignant at the same time. And the way the police are so matter-of-fact about it all is pretty funny.
Con: There isn’t much of a plot here. Shelly does learn some lessons, but there’s little real cost to it.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 99)
Allison Mills Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
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Con: There isn’t much of a plot here. Shelly does learn some lessons, but there’s little real cost to it.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 99)
Allison Mills Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
Lovely story of family and grief. Reminded me a little of "A Nest of Ghosts, a House of Birds" by Kat Howard. Author interview mentions she's working on a connected collection of stories in this world.
ReplyDeleteWebsite linked for bio above is the wrong Allison Mills. The author is @sometimesal on Twitter.
Thanks, fixed.
Delete