Our second piece of audio fiction for December is "The Children of Main Street" written by A.C. Wise and read by Kate Baker.
Clarkesworld Magazine Issue 51 - The Children of Main Street by A.C. Wise [32:36m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (7379)
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A.C. Wise was born and raised in Montreal, and currently lives in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Her work has previously appeared in places like Strange Horizons, Fantasy Magazine, and ChiZine. For more information, or just to drop by and say hi, visit her blog at acwise.livejournal.com.
Website:
www.acwise.net
I think that saying "our main protagonist was treated very poorly" is a bit unfair. To undergo such a violent change in physical and emotional behaviour without notification to your wife or husband is just about the most selfish thing that a person can do.
There is a reason that people seeking gender reassignment have to undergo years or psychological testing and therapy before they are allowed to have the major surgeries. It is not a thing to be taken lightly, in any age.
Setting the story on some distant colony world doesn't really mean anything to me in this story. This could happen at any time in any place. Whatever it is about this distant world that allows these children, and then adults to change. Seems to be very tacked on, as a way of telling the story that Wise wanted to tell.
I agree with Kate Baker, this story had a lot to do with acceptance and allowing change to happen. I think the writer attempted to show both sides, but I think she was a little biased to the ones who didn't want to change. The ones that didn't change, seemed to be hurt more and act out drastically. I think the emotions of the ones that did change was stunted somehow.
Over all I liked this story, the idea is unique to me and still is a reflection of the world we live in now.
I have to agree, this story was a tad unfair to those left behind. There's nothing wrong with wanting change, but there's also nothing wrong with wanting stability. Mark was no better treated in this than his wife was. There's no reason stated why those who assimilated couldn't have worked harder to help the rest of the colonists come to terms, and perhaps made mutually beneficial arrangements, rather going off live on their mountain and looking down (both physically and metaphorically) with pity on their bereaved friends and families.
When things change, those left in the wake of that change are always at a loss. Such a great rendering with many layers. Planetary settlement, biological developement, societal disruption all painted with a clean brush as to not Muddle the picture!!
I agree that everyone is so personally focused that no one seems to notice their choices or lack of choice has a result upon the community as a whole. Evolution is unstoppable. Yet there are more choices than standing on the edge and 1 Jumping off or burying your head in the sand. Everyone seemed to take one of only these 2 choices.
Thanks for another great story!
Keep up the good work Kate!