crtsjffrsn's review against another edition
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.
tronella's review against another edition
4.0
Abrupt ending, but otherwise I really enjoyed this. (Space!)
lonecayt's review against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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
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.
pezski's review
4.0
Emily is chief housekeeper at a hotel at Heathrow Airport at which two astronauts about to embark on a trip to Mars will be staying and giving their press conference. She was affected by the disaster of the previous, failed attempt - her mother was a materials scientist who both worked on the mission and investigated the failure - along with pollution of a further failed launch.
Whilst dealing with the ramping up of the hotel in readiness of the upcoming visit, Emily is also looking after her mother, who is now housebound and suffering from a disease that may have been caused by exposure to the rocket catastrophe; she suffers from lung problems as well as dementia, which exacerbates what we learn is her rather impish, even capricious, sense of humour. During a moment of apparent lucidity Moolie, as Emily calls her mother, drops a hint about the identity of Emily's father, which she has never revealed.
All these threads, along with talk of the almost certain death of the astronauts - even if they do reach Mars, it is likely a one-way trip - gives the tale a melancholy tone, however it is beautifully written and rich. Nina Allen fits a massive amount into the 40 pages, so much character and history and background. Another writer new to me who I shall be watching.
Whilst dealing with the ramping up of the hotel in readiness of the upcoming visit, Emily is also looking after her mother, who is now housebound and suffering from a disease that may have been caused by exposure to the rocket catastrophe; she suffers from lung problems as well as dementia, which exacerbates what we learn is her rather impish, even capricious, sense of humour. During a moment of apparent lucidity Moolie, as Emily calls her mother, drops a hint about the identity of Emily's father, which she has never revealed.
All these threads, along with talk of the almost certain death of the astronauts - even if they do reach Mars, it is likely a one-way trip - gives the tale a melancholy tone, however it is beautifully written and rich. Nina Allen fits a massive amount into the 40 pages, so much character and history and background. Another writer new to me who I shall be watching.
arturourbanos's review
4.0
Me encanta el estilo de narración de esta autora y me ha gustado bastante esta historia corta. Estoy deseando leer La carrera para ver como se las arregla en un formato más largo de historia <3