tasmanian_bibliophile's review
4.0
‘I never believed that my strength would be labor and sorrow.’
The title of this novel caught my attention, and I added it to my reading list. When I was offered a copy by the editor of 40k, I really couldn't resist. 40k, as I discovered, is an Italian eBook publisher which specialises in original short fiction. I don't read a lot of short fiction, but this story drew me in.
Norman Gilmore was a pilot on the first manned mission to Mars. He is also a convicted murderer, and at 313 years of age, the oldest man alive. While on Mars, Norman and some other crew members picked up a virus-like alien disease. Norman survived, and when he returned to Earth, he was tried and convicted for murdering four crewmates. He was sentenced to four life sentences, a total of 280 years.
Norman lived to complete that term, and he's released, famous as the oldest living human. Now he wants to return to Mars. The only way he can achieve this is by making a deal with the world's most powerful pharmaceutical company. Will he find what he's looking for when he reaches Mars?
`Without meaning, without something to strive for, a body is just another form of prison. It's not about having the time - it's about making the best of the time you have.'
It's an interesting short story which invites the reader to reflect on the meaning of life, and to question the future. All of our actions have impacts and consequences.
My thanks to Letizia Sechi, editor of 40k, for providing me with a copy of this story.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
The title of this novel caught my attention, and I added it to my reading list. When I was offered a copy by the editor of 40k, I really couldn't resist. 40k, as I discovered, is an Italian eBook publisher which specialises in original short fiction. I don't read a lot of short fiction, but this story drew me in.
Norman Gilmore was a pilot on the first manned mission to Mars. He is also a convicted murderer, and at 313 years of age, the oldest man alive. While on Mars, Norman and some other crew members picked up a virus-like alien disease. Norman survived, and when he returned to Earth, he was tried and convicted for murdering four crewmates. He was sentenced to four life sentences, a total of 280 years.
Norman lived to complete that term, and he's released, famous as the oldest living human. Now he wants to return to Mars. The only way he can achieve this is by making a deal with the world's most powerful pharmaceutical company. Will he find what he's looking for when he reaches Mars?
`Without meaning, without something to strive for, a body is just another form of prison. It's not about having the time - it's about making the best of the time you have.'
It's an interesting short story which invites the reader to reflect on the meaning of life, and to question the future. All of our actions have impacts and consequences.
My thanks to Letizia Sechi, editor of 40k, for providing me with a copy of this story.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
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