(Hard SF) In which the end of the world is brought to you by plastics. (5,204 words; Time: 17m)
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ Needs Improvement
"Prasetyo Plastics," by D.A. Xiaolin Spires [bio] (edited by Neil Clarke), appeared in Clarkesworld issue 134, published on November 1, 2017.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: It’s an “if this goes on” story, warning of the risks of plastic pollution.
Con: The author’s command of English is imperfect, and that seriously damages the story. Grammar errors are everywhere. E.g. “Everyone thought that when the singularity would happen, it would be metal cores with metal heads, metal limbs, and metal breaths.”
Beyond that, it’s just the outline of a story, not the story itself. There’s no character development and no dialogue.
Scientifically the story is complete nonsense. Plastic isn't going to merge with plankton and become sentient.
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D.A. Xiaolin Spires Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
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Con: The author’s command of English is imperfect, and that seriously damages the story. Grammar errors are everywhere. E.g. “Everyone thought that when the singularity would happen, it would be metal cores with metal heads, metal limbs, and metal breaths.”
Beyond that, it’s just the outline of a story, not the story itself. There’s no character development and no dialogue.
Scientifically the story is complete nonsense. Plastic isn't going to merge with plankton and become sentient.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 134)
D.A. Xiaolin Spires Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
It starts out with a pertinent, if heavy-handed, message about filling up the world with plastic garbage. But then it lost pretty much all its impact for me when the plastic came to life.
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