★★★☆☆ Average
(Arabian Fantasy Horror) In which we learn the story of Talub, a djinn who happily made music on the seafloor until one day he was captured by a sailor hoping his magic might heal his son. (2,999 words; Time: 09m)
"Al-Kahf (الكهف)," by Beesan Odeh (edited by John Joseph Adams), appeared in Lightspeed Magazine issue 94, published on March 1, 2018.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: The sailor’s actions were violent from the start, and dishonest as well (e.g. we know he had no intention of setting Talub free), so it’s fitting that he lost his son.
Con: It’s a pretty awful outcome, and certainly not the poor little boy's fault. There’s no one likable in the story at all.
Given this is set in Gaza, it’s possible that there’s another meaning here, but I don’t see what it is.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 94)
Beesan Odeh Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
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Con: It’s a pretty awful outcome, and certainly not the poor little boy's fault. There’s no one likable in the story at all.
Given this is set in Gaza, it’s possible that there’s another meaning here, but I don’t see what it is.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 94)
Beesan Odeh Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
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