“If we continue on this path of little by little
destroying forests, destroying rivers, destroying air, the consequences
are going to be awful for humans and cultures around the world, for all
forms of life. And I want people to wake up.”
—Nemonte Nenquimo
—Nemonte Nenquimo
![[ Issue 2024.70; Cover art © 2024 Fluffgar ]](http://futurefire.net/images/f70cover.jpg "[ Issue 2024.70; Cover art © 2024 Fluffgar ]")
Issue 2024.70
Flash fiction
- ‘The End of Rain’, Zoe Kaplan - art by Joyce Chng
Short stories
- ‘Transmogrification’, R.M. Pérez-Padilla - art by Joel Bisaillon
- ‘The Shape of Her Shadow’, Alexandra Brandt - art by Fluffgar
Novelettes
- ‘Matryoshka City’, Albert Chu - art by Katharine A. Viola
- ‘The Transformative Three and the Clean Cooking Revolution (grant no. 437-775)’, Auke Pols - art by Cécile Matthey
Poetry
- ‘The Ships That Sang’, Jess Cho - art by Toeken
- ‘What Heroines Read’, Mary Soon Lee - art by Dr T. Eratopo
Thanks for sharing your stories, illustrations, and, of course, the editorial team for bringing it together! I thought it might be nice to share my impressions here (I’ve tried to avoid major spoilers), I’d be curious as to yours:
ReplyDeleteThe end of rain – Zoe Kaplan
A nice short story about the relation between a human and the ecosystem they live in, and how they grow apart under the changing climate. I really appreciate how the human appreciates the ecosystem: like a partner who is cared for, and who cares in turn. It reminded me of a quote I once read in Raoul de Jong’s Jaguarman, where an old man living in the forest warns that maltreatment will not destroy nature, but rather, cause it to reshape itself in a form that will no longer offer sustenance to us...
Transmogrification R.M. Pérez-Padilla
I did not find it easy staying with the main character throughout their strained relationship, or their (I presume) psychoses brought on by medication, but the author does describe the painful conversations and the hallucinations quite convincingly. I like the opening: it’s very frank and sets the tone for a story that pulls no punches.
The shape of her shadow – Alexandra Brandt
Most of all I was impressed by the beautiful, evocative descriptions, whether it was of the wilds or the ‘monsters’. There is a nice buildup of tension, and a strong main character – it’d be interesting to know how the story would go on!
Matryoshka City – Albert Chu
A beautiful and surealist story about a city trapped in an anomaly, and the investigator who must find out what’s wrong – and how to right it as well. The weirdness reminded me of Latin American magical realism, not easy to pull off!
The ships that sang – Jess Cho
I’m not by any means a poetry connaisseur, but I liked the metaphor – consistently maintained and working right up to the very end, and the very tactile, physical descriptions.
What heroines read – Mary Soon Lee
A nice reflection on two worlds and how they relate (or not). I particularly enjoyed the image of heroes browsing colour catalogues of winged horses.
Matryoshka City (Albert Chu) - what a resonant tale. I will be remembering this nested city for a while.
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