(Horror) A famous author gets kidnapped on the eve of a major awards ceremony. (2,013 words; Time: 06m)
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ Not Recommended
"Henosis," by N.K. Jemisin [bio] (edited by Lynne M. Thomas and Michael Damian Thomas), appeared in Uncanny Magazine issue 18, published on September 5, 2017.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: The twist that the winner gets dismembered for the benefit of the fans is worthy of “The Lottery,” by Shirley Jackson.
Con: The story goes on for far too long after the reveal. Long enough for disbelief to collapse. The final ending—that the author will let his fan kill him to ensure his enduring fame—falls flat.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 18)
N.K. Jemisin Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
Con: The story goes on for far too long after the reveal. Long enough for disbelief to collapse. The final ending—that the author will let his fan kill him to ensure his enduring fame—falls flat.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 18)
N.K. Jemisin Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
I get the author's point of view, as twisted as it is, that being forgotten is worse than death. But I'm confused about the fan. First, she wants him to sign her book "To the Opus Award shoo-in." Is she actually hoping to jinx him? Because then she tries to save him. And she seems to think the nomination is somewhat insulting because it implies he's got nothing left in him. But then after he loses, she's done a 180 over to his side that his legacy is more important than his life?
ReplyDeleteAs a retired person, let me assure you that it's not true that Retirement = Death. :-)
DeleteNo kidding. I don't agree with the author's thinking, but it's clear that's what he believes--better to go out at the peak than fade into oblivion. I just can't see how the fan goes from trying to save his life to offering to kill him herself.
DeleteObviously he changed her mind. :-)
DeleteMaybe it's supposed to be the thought of infamy as the person who killed the big famous author. But I wasn't convinced that her mind changed during that brief convo we saw here. She was so vehement that what happened to the Opus winners was a waste.
DeleteI agree with you; I was just teasing. ;-)
Delete:)
Delete