A review by backyardjake
I Have No Mouth & I Must Scream: Stories by Harlan Ellison
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I Have no Mouth and I Must Scream:
Frightful future becoming more and more plausable as countries move towards using Super Intelligent AI for purposes of war. Personal interpretation altered to Ellison's words on the story in his accompaning memoir. I indeed did not notice Ellen was specifically black nor did I come away hopeful with the ending, but his words on the matter did change my outlook for the better.
The other stories:
All equally disparging to the human race and it's lowness. I would find it hard to see the bright side in these stories as the author means for the reader to in the first one. Except perhaps for the space circus, which is more sad than it is messed up like the others.
Frightful future becoming more and more plausable as countries move towards using Super Intelligent AI for purposes of war. Personal interpretation altered to Ellison's words on the story in his accompaning memoir. I indeed did not notice Ellen was specifically black nor did I come away hopeful with the ending, but his words on the matter did change my outlook for the better.
The other stories:
All equally disparging to the human race and it's lowness. I would find it hard to see the bright side in these stories as the author means for the reader to in the first one. Except perhaps for the space circus, which is more sad than it is messed up like the others.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual content, and Suicide
Minor: Misogyny and Sexism