Issue #298 certainly cements Interzone’s reputation for publishing very ‘different’ fiction. Stories that play readily with the narrators and readers perceptions of reality, modern allegories referencing the most pressing societal issues we face today, and sometimes stories that are just downright weird; but all of them leave you with a feeling of having ‘pushed the envelope’ to an extreme and fascinating extent.
The first story, ‘Perpetual Motion Sickness’ by Mame Bougouma Diene gives us a hard-hitting near-future dystopia in which refugees must compete to the death to obtain citizenship in an extreme, Trumpian America. The cleverness of this story being that the contest itself is not shown, only its emotional aftereffects. This story is a powerful and terrifying warning about the possible consequences of right-wing policies.
Later we have the more symbolic story ‘Where The Grass Is Always Whiter’ by Ai Jiang, an interesting take on prejudice, belonging and resettlement which provides a positive, rather pleasant final message for the reader to take away. No doubt a story written from personal experience, it none-the-less avoids the grittier side of its subject matter, leaving one wondering if it would be classed as faction, or fantasy. Only the author knows, but as ever with Ai Jiang, the enigmatic plot and flowing style never displease.
‘You Can Never Stock Up Enough Fans’ by Antony Paschos is a different beast, but just as entertaining. I would describe it as The Island of Dr Moreau for a computer age; fast-paced and tech-heavy, it never lets up from beginning to end. It also has an I Am Legend feel about it, except the protagonist is beset by mechanical scavengers rather than vampires. He is never-the-less coaxed into helping an organic/machine hybrid when she appears at his door with an injured friend. A very enjoyable yarn which has humour and feeling.
‘The Eye of the Giant’ by Saswati Chatterjee is beautifully written, foreboding, and slightly bewildering. Residents of an unnamed neighbourhood consult the opinion of a mysterious giant who lays across part of their city. Moribund, yet somehow alive (maybe), he remains a source of comfort and wisdom for all those who seek his advice during a time both pre and post war. He is evocative of the ancient past, but also an ominous sign of the future.
The last in this issue is ‘We Have Known Hillsides Redolent Of Gorse’ by Joyce Meggett, a charming tale pitting human against machine in a unique way. The machines are tired of war and no longer wish to be used as weapons. The ‘soldiers’ have a different view, but working together the scattered bots both large and small set forth on a final mission of peace. Worth reading just for its quirkiness, but it has a lot more than this.
On the whole a good issue of Interzone this month, leaving me with the feeling that future issues will be well worth checking out
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