★★☆☆☆ Not Recommended
(SF Horror) The narrator creates videos with computer-generated actors and actresses who look just like real people—mostly with people’s lost loved ones. Then he gets an unusual request. (3,876 words; Time: 12m)
"Dear Sir or Madam," by Paul Park [bio] (edited by C.C. Finlay), appeared in Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction issue 03-04|19, published on February 27, 2019 by Spilogale Inc.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Review: 2019.149 (A Word for Authors)
Note: I assume the narrator is female because she uses her own body as a model for Christine’s mother.
Pro: So, if I’m reading this correctly, the narrator herself is an alien, brought here as a child. Christine wants a view of “reality,” so the narrator has prepared a show, which Christine will watch while the narrator (who’s interested in her sexually) prepares to show her true form.
On a minor note, it does make sense that given the ability to make perfect “fake” videos, people would want them to see their loved ones again.
Con: The first half of the story is almost pure infodump with no hint at any sort of plot. Even then, the story is hard to make out, and I’m by no means sure I’ve figured it out.
Other Reviews: Search Web
Paul Park Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
Note: I assume the narrator is female because she uses her own body as a model for Christine’s mother.
Pro: So, if I’m reading this correctly, the narrator herself is an alien, brought here as a child. Christine wants a view of “reality,” so the narrator has prepared a show, which Christine will watch while the narrator (who’s interested in her sexually) prepares to show her true form.
On a minor note, it does make sense that given the ability to make perfect “fake” videos, people would want them to see their loved ones again.
Con: The first half of the story is almost pure infodump with no hint at any sort of plot. Even then, the story is hard to make out, and I’m by no means sure I’ve figured it out.
Other Reviews: Search Web
Paul Park Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
No comments (may contain spoilers):
Post a Comment (comment policy)