★★★☆☆ Honorable Mention
(Ghosts) Leah studies stories people tell about their own experiences with ghosts. To her it’s all folklore—not real at all—until she gets hints her dead mother wants to talk to her about something. (8,113 words; Time: 27m)
"The Thing About Ghost Stories," by Naomi Kritzer [bio] (edited by Lynne M. Thomas and Michael Damian Thomas), appeared in Uncanny Magazine issue 25, published on November 1, 2018.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Review: 2018.661 (A Word for Authors)
Pro: It’s a touching story. Leah’s accounts of her time spent with her mother are poignant.
I particularly liked the scene with the medium who could see Amelia next to Leah trying to tell her something, but Leah refused to believe the medium was anything but a hoax.
As far as the ghost stories go, I especially liked the one about the mom who gives a stern talking to her little son’s imaginary friend, telling him (the ghost of a soldier who died in Iraq) not to tell her son stories that aren’t appropriate for a child.
Con: The ending is too easy. Amelia’s ghost simply appears in the night, returns the ring, and goes off to heaven satisfied.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 25)
Naomi Kritzer Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
Pro: It’s a touching story. Leah’s accounts of her time spent with her mother are poignant.
I particularly liked the scene with the medium who could see Amelia next to Leah trying to tell her something, but Leah refused to believe the medium was anything but a hoax.
As far as the ghost stories go, I especially liked the one about the mom who gives a stern talking to her little son’s imaginary friend, telling him (the ghost of a soldier who died in Iraq) not to tell her son stories that aren’t appropriate for a child.
Con: The ending is too easy. Amelia’s ghost simply appears in the night, returns the ring, and goes off to heaven satisfied.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 25)
Naomi Kritzer Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
This left me with a very good feeling at the end of the story, and this quality is what makes this author's writing so magical.
ReplyDeleteAs for the con, this is a domestic story, for lack of a better way to describe the setting. Leah is an academic who lives in the city. I've also had to look for lost small bits myself and it is not easy.
It is at least a 4-star story. Almost a 5.
I really ought to make a category for feel-good stories. I think lots of people would like to read a selection of stories like that. Unfortunately there aren't all that many of them.
DeleteFive stars. Brilliant story.
ReplyDelete