‘Rillas and Other Science Fiction Stories
{5/5} “‘But you’re no longer on the ship,’ he found himself whispering, so softly he actually heard the stiff rustle of the alien’s garments as he moved closer to the other door out of aural necessity. ‘You… you were only doing what was essential… it went beyond a matter of choice. If you… your kind… didn’t… all of you would’ve died. Surely, there had to be a reconciliation among all of you, afterward–‘” (from “Etamin at East 47th”)
‘Rillas and Other Science Fiction Stories by A. R. Morlan, published in 2012
In “Robin Willams, Speaking Spanish” a social worker goes aboard ships to make sure that the Savant-Contingents — who stay in their rooms all the time and have one job — are being treated well by their fellow crew. In “What Falls from the Life” aliens land in Japan and spend their time watching figure skating and Bill Murray movies — but since they can’t communicate, no one really knows what they’re thinking. In “Etamin at East 47th” a Japanese man whose ancestors were from the unclean class lives next door to an alien who did similar type of work aboard a ship. In “‘Rillas” after an apocalypse a family struggles to keep themselves fed and clothed, while the kids confuse “gorillas” with “guerillas.”
This collection includes two stories we published in Challenging Destiny. Two stories were written with John S. Postovit.
These stories show Morlan’s astonishing use of language, her insight into the human condition, and her boundless imagination.
This is the 2nd book I’ve read by Morlan. I previously reviewed Smothered Dolls.