titusfortner's review
3.0
One of the 2017 Hugo nominations for best novelette.
This is science fiction only in the loosest sense. This story would not be any less relevant in a setting where there are no astronauts traveling to Mars, the protagonist would just be musing about slightly different things. The writing itself is nice, but the plot is meandering and the ending is obvious.
This is science fiction only in the loosest sense. This story would not be any less relevant in a setting where there are no astronauts traveling to Mars, the protagonist would just be musing about slightly different things. The writing itself is nice, but the plot is meandering and the ending is obvious.
crtsjffrsn's review
3.0
After the first mission intended to put people on Mars was a tragic failure, it has taken thirty years for people to be ready to try again. As a hotel housekeeper, Emily's only connection to the mission is the fact that two of the mission's astronauts will be coming to her hotel to participate in the final press conference before the launch. But Emily's mother, Moolie, has something that Emily needs to know. And that something may just set Emily's entire world on its head.
When I read science fiction, I admit that I do like the speculative elements of the story. But what is most important is the character development. Who are these people? Why should I care about them and what is happening to them? How are they going to overcome the obstacles that are thrown in their way? And Nina Allan definitely delivers in all of those areas. Although this is novelette length, readers get an opportunity to see in to Emily's world--and to be right there with her when everything changes in ways she never expected or imagined.
When I read science fiction, I admit that I do like the speculative elements of the story. But what is most important is the character development. Who are these people? Why should I care about them and what is happening to them? How are they going to overcome the obstacles that are thrown in their way? And Nina Allan definitely delivers in all of those areas. Although this is novelette length, readers get an opportunity to see in to Emily's world--and to be right there with her when everything changes in ways she never expected or imagined.
lonecayt's review
4.0
This was surprisingly interesting to me for being so mundane. I want to read more, but this story doesn't need more. I suppose I just want to learn more about the characters.
__apf__'s review
3.0
A sweet story about someone looking for who they are, and finding it. I found the ending unsatisfying, since it leaves many mysteries unanswered; I wish it were a full book.
imaginaryturtle's review
4.0
The paternal twist wasn't really a twist; you could see that coming a mile off. Still, I liked this because I'm a sucker for anything space-related as long as it's not written by an illiterate baboon.
bookaneer's review
2.0
A girl trying to find her dad. Like Mamma Mia but set in a hotel where astronauts preparing for their Mars trip. Well it is fiction and has two characters with scientific background and but is this SF? Not sure but the Hugo committee seems to think so.
bri_'s review against another edition
4.0
A quiet story about family, set 100 years or so in the future. It's a bit haunting in the way the foreign and familiar are mixed.