Friday, September 8, 2017

The Two-Choice Foxtrot of Chapham County, by Tina Connolly

[F&SF]
★★★☆☆ Average

(Slipstream) When an unmarried girl gets pregnant, she gives birth to a stone baby. At least, that’s one of her choices. (1,499 words; Time: 04m)


"The Two-Choice Foxtrot of Chapham County," by (edited by C.C. Finlay), appeared in issue 09-10|17, published on by .

Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)

Review: 2017.629 (A Word for Authors)

Pro: Suzie leads all the aborted babies to a better place.

Con: We don’t develop strong feelings for any of the characters.

The symbolism is very obvious.

Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 09-10|17)
Tina Connolly Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline

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2 comments (may contain spoilers):

  1. I really loved this story :)

    I have a great fondness for the "dark fairy tale" type of story, that short fiction often does so well.

    This one did such a lovely job of establishing "the two-choice foxtrot." As this constant, ever-present understanding of how constrained and vulnerable you are. They repeat over and over again, and they all boil down to the same essential choice: conform, or suffer. I found that vivid and powerful.

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  2. I liked the country wisdom style. In the author interview, she mentions that she has another flash fiction piece in this world called "Miss Violet May from the Ten Thousand Lakes" in her collection On the Eyeball Floor and Other Stories.

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