Monday, January 7, 2019

The Fading Pages of a Short Story, by Bud Sparhawk

[Analog]
★☆☆☆☆ Needs Improvement

(Medical SF) Bill tries to help his 98-year-old father cope with his increasing memory loss, but the old man resists the technology that might help him. (5,345 words; Time: 17m)


"The Fading Pages of a Short Story," by (edited by Trevor Quachri), appeared in issue 01-02|19, published on by .

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

Review: 2019.019 (A Word for Authors)

Pro: It’s a moving account of a likable old man’s last days and his son’s attempts to help him.

Con: What sinks this story is the narrative intrusion. There’s some unnatural dialogue too, although most of it’s okay.

It’s a bit odd that given David is 98, neither of the children ever suggests that he’s too old to justify the cost. Are people living to 150 in this world?

It’s also a tad odd that David apparently didn’t start his SF career until he was almost 70.

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