Smacking Back

by Laura Bradley Rede

In a future where everyone wears an avatar and the internet connects to your brain, cyber bullying has reached a whole new level – and one victim has reached her breaking point. This thought-provoking short story by Writers of the Future award winner Laura Bradley Rede is a must for fans of YA science fiction and dystopian. This edition includes discussion questions and links to bullying-prevention resources for use in book groups and in the classroom.

15 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 29, 2013

About the author

Laura Bradley Rede grew up the oldest of nine kids in a small town in Maine. She now lives in a little hippie-punk neighborhood of Minneapolis with her wonderful partner, their three amazing children, one Great Dane, one dachshund, and four city chickens. She is a winner of the Writers of the Future Award for fantasy and science fiction and the author of the YA paranormal romance DARKRIDE, and its upcoming sequel CROSSFIRE, as well as many YA short stories. She often quotes Bela Lugosi, the original Dracula, who said “I have never met a vampire personally, but I don’t know what might happen tomorrow.”
After all, a girl can dream.

www.laurabradleyrede.com
www.darkridethenovel.com

Reviews

[Robert Zimmermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

As can be found in the description, this story’s main theme is bullying. What caught my eye was that it’s a sci-fi story as well. That was a fun combination because it showed that it really doesn’t matter what the time period or society in question is, bullying is always an issue.

Even in the world of Smacking Back, where information can be fed directly into someone’s brain, there are people who feel the need to take advantage of others just so they can get away with not doing their work. This is the classic situation of a bully getting the weaker kid to do his/her homework, but with a futuristic flare.

While the bullying is the theme in the forefront, and I feel that it was well executed without being preachy, I also enjoyed the technology that Rede threw into the story. It doesn’t seem far-fetched to think that being so physically connected to the net is in our near future. It also, like many great sci-fi stories, brings up possible issues that could arise with the advance in technology. There are always consequences to go along with the benefits. This works to aid the creation of the bullying situation, as well as hints at the question of what other issues could this future society have through this technology.

This story brings up an issue that’s been around for thousands of years, but one that seems to be a big focus in our culture today when we look to eradicate it. I think that getting into the mind of the victim in this instance gives good insight into the victim mindset. It also leaves the reader questioning the actions of everyone involved, not just the bullies.

[Shambhawi P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is really good. Short but packs a powerful punch. And deals with a blazing issue of bullying with an interesting sci-fi twist.

But what I liked the most? How the characters - even in such a short story - were well defined and not one-dimensional at all. Only four characters and all four of them were unique and portrayed wholly. Kudos to the author to that.

4 Stars

[Chasity Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting read

This short story wasn't what I expected at all. My initial thought was that it was going to deal with technology, and it does but it sheds light on a bigger issue we're facing today- cyber bullying.

It says that this short story is about cyber bullying in is blurb, and I'd forgotten about that since I'd purchased this short story a while back and I'm just now getting to reading it. But I absolutely loved this short story and the twist it took.

Being bullied is never fun and in Smacking Back we see two sides of what happens to someone being bullied. The person gives up, and in this case joins the bullies, or the person does something about the bullying and gets revenge. Because of these two views it makes the short story feel more relatable and is really an eye opener.

Definitely worth a read.

[Dana Burkey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was 3.5, but I chose not to round up. It had a cool point of view as far as the characters and also the social issues it tackled, but I feel like it could have been more effective in the way the reader learned about the story. I was confused for quite a while, and even by the end some things were hazy. I like that the readers were not spoon fed, but a little more would have been nice. It reminded me of Uglies, but not as good. All in all it was not terrible, but also not overly impactful and wonderful.

[Ben Ditmars · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great young adult story. There's a consistent message and room to question the actions of characters. The author leaves discussion questions in the back as well as resources for those who have been bullied. I think, however, the author could have taken time to better explain some of the phrases (such as "meatspace") and concepts introduced. Overall, however an original and creative look at the future of cyberspace and the continuation of bullying within it.

[Jelanimom · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's very good, but I feel very raw about this one...It packs a powerful punch. Bullying is icky. Class stuff is icky. Revenge is icky. It reminds me though that someone once told me "If you are not uncomfortable, then you are not really thinking about the issues." I will say that I love the scifi dystopia stuff. The author did a great job creating this interesting world and creating complicated characters. There is enough here to have a whole novel.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smacking Back give a look into what cyber bullying might look like in the future and how those being bullied might possibly end up deciding to deal with those bullying them. The story is very well written and it would be interesting to see the author create a whole world based around the world she developed for this short story.

[Jacquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story with a great message

This story is about what happens when a person is bullied by others long enough. I have learned that while bullying is bad, you should never join the bullies in bullying others. Plus, there's nothing wrong with letting someone else know about the bullying.

[Kristi Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked this sci-fi story! I wish it was longer and I hope she writes more!

[Amy (DemonKittie) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is incredibly short, but it could be an epic story. In all honesty I would love to see where this could go. Very cool beginning.

[Sarah Elizabeth]

part of

[Rebeca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was confused for a part of this, but then once I realized what was going on, the story actually had a beautiful message behind it!