"What’s your name, and what’s your age, and what’s your trade, good man?"

December 1, 2021 7:32 AM

Three speculative tales of suspense and escape. “The Passing Bell” by Amy Griswold (also available in audio): “It’s kind of you to put me up,” I said, jingling pennies in my pocket to encourage such generosity. In a town so small it had neither pub nor inn, I considered myself fortunate to be offered the chance to sleep in the blacksmith’s loft. "Authenticity Soup" by by Alison Wilgus (previously): She had not put the tent together outside the pressurized dome of the city. And she had not been wearing a surface suit. Or gloves. "I Am Tasting the Stars" by Jennifer R. Donohue (published this year) features a list, champagne, a boat, and a mutiny: "We’re good at finding what we need, having enough. It’s why they still humor me, and my list; I’ve brought them years of plenty, no matter how ridiculous the ask."
posted by brainwane (1 comment total)

Ooh, I quite liked "Authenticity Soup", thank you. I'm still mulling it over a bit, which is a good thing. Such a great exploration of such a contested word.
posted by librarylis at 7:17 PM on December 2, 2021 [1 favorite]