Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Rescue Party, by Aliette De Bodard

[Anthology]
★★★☆☆ Honorable Mention

(Space Opera; Xuya) On Asphodel, people who no longer contribute to society get “preserved” in the Repository for the sake of their memories. When Giao finds herself there, she decides to mount an appeal. Somehow. (9,489 words; Time: 31m)

Although this is set in the author’s sprawling Xuya Universe, there’s no need to read any of the other stories to appreciate this one.

"Rescue Party," by (edited by Jonathan Strahan), appeared in (RSR review), published on by .

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

Review: 2019.451 (A Word for Authors)

Pro: Obviously, this is the story of Giao’s attempt to escape from the Repository. Insidiously, the system requires new admissions to place themselves into their capsules “voluntarily.” But wandering around obviously is going to get old, and, as Tâm says, it’s just easier to sleep. That adds a bit of urgency; Giao needs to escape before the place gets a grip on her.

Probably the best part of the story is the series of revelations as it goes along: First, of course, that Giao is in the Repository. Then that her cousin greets her. Then meeting the survivors from the rescue ship, and learning the rescue ship was never lost in the first place. Finally that the mind from the rescue ship itself was driving the repository, and finally Giao using that fact to make an appeal that actually works.

Con: What exactly happened at the end? They seem to be on a spaceship going somewhere. But where? And for what purpose?

Other Reviews: Search Web, GoodReads.com
Aliette De Bodard Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline

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