The Senex

by Jeff Ambrose

The Senex is a science fiction story reminiscent of stories told during the Golden Age of Science Fiction, from 1940 to 1965. Richard Madison's time is up. He must die. And his son, Bruce, must accompany him to the Geriatric Clinic. But Richard has been planning for this day for nearly twenty years--since he received his termination letter--and what he does on this his last day reveals to Bruce a deep truth about human life.

THE SENEX is a near-future science fiction story.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

23 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 8, 2011

About the author

Jeff Ambrose was born in St. Louis, but grew up in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas. A high-school headbanger and lead guitarist for several garage bands, he spent his free time playing Dungeons & Dragons, watching movies, and reading fantasy and horror novels.

He went to college, graduated, and got married. Children came, and after glancing at various career opportunities, he followed in his mother’s footsteps and became a domestic engineer. While driving his kids to and from preschool, the creative bug bit him and he took up writing — a secret desire he’d held close to his heart since he was ten.

Because of his various and sundry reading habits, he writes in many genres, including fantasy, horror, mystery, and science fiction. He’s the author of several short story collections, the mystery novel SISTER MISSING, and THE TABARD CAIN SAGA — a heroic fantasy series. At last count, he has more ideas than he knows what to do with.

Living in a different suburb than the one he grew up in, Jeff still calls Dallas home. He lives with his wife, his four children, and a yellow lab who forces him to wake up early and go for a two-mile walk.

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting ideas on aging and an overpopulated society. Although I enjoyed both the story and the writing, when it was over I wasn't really sold on the futuristic world author Jeff Ambrose created. Yes, this is a short, so I don't expect extensive world building. But somehow it still seemed lacking. Read for free online here.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Soooooo depressing. It's short, but not overly tight in the writing style. There are a lot of flashbacks that get kind of confusing, as its the context that clues you into the time change. I would have preferred if it was a little clearer, like a chapter heading or something.

It's an idea that's been done before, euthanasia of people once they hit a certain age, but it's not bad. I got it as a Kindle freebie, so not a bad read for me.

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting. Six short stories although some seemed more like ideas (for stories) than actual stories themselves.. They all seemed incomplete.

[Lori Henrich · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad could make a good full novel if expounded on.

[Liane · Rating 4 out of 5]

very quick read. a bit interesting and left me wanting more