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The Far Reaches #3
Falling Bodies
A young man caught between two disparate worlds searches for his place in the universe in a wrenching short story by New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Roanhorse.
Light-years from home, it’s Ira’s second chance. Just another anonymous student at a space station university. Not the orphan whose Earther heritage was erased. Not some social experiment put on display by his adoptive father. Not the criminal recruited by the human rebels. But when Ira’s loyalties clash once again, two wars break one on the ground and one within himself. Which will Ira stand with? Which will take him down?
Rebecca Roanhorse’s Falling Bodies is part of The Far Reaches, a collection of science-fiction stories that stretch the imagination and open the heart. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.
Light-years from home, it’s Ira’s second chance. Just another anonymous student at a space station university. Not the orphan whose Earther heritage was erased. Not some social experiment put on display by his adoptive father. Not the criminal recruited by the human rebels. But when Ira’s loyalties clash once again, two wars break one on the ground and one within himself. Which will Ira stand with? Which will take him down?
Rebecca Roanhorse’s Falling Bodies is part of The Far Reaches, a collection of science-fiction stories that stretch the imagination and open the heart. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.
2 pages, Audible Audio
First published June 27, 2023
903 people are currently reading
1461 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Roanhorse
63 books10.3k followersRebecca Roanhorse is a New York Times bestselling and Nebula, Hugo, and Locus Award-winning speculative fiction writer. She has published multiple award-winning short stories and novels, including two novels in The Sixth World Series, Star Wars: Resistance Reborn, Race to the Sun for the Rick Riordan imprint, and the epic fantasy trilogy Between Earth and Sky. She has also written for Marvel Comics and games and for television, including FX’s A Murder at the End of the World, and the Marvel series Echo for Disney+. She has had her own work optioned by Amazon Studios, Netflix, and AMC Studios.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 505 reviews
July 22, 2023
Oh dear, oh dear. I wish this hadn’t taken a boringly simplistic approach.
The premise is not easy and is genuinely painful — the inner turmoil of someone caught in the ultimate culture clash, a child of a conquered people raised by the oppressors, torn between the ultimate nature vs nurture choice — sharing the loyalty both to the native culture and to those that raised him. It has happened countless times before in out world; Roanhorse’s depiction of Earthers/Genteels seems to hint at indigenous people/white colonizers; to me it brings the thought of those Ukrainian children stolen by Russian occupiers and now being raised with the goal to become part of Putin worshipers generation.
It’s important and painful and begs both sensitive treatment and uncomfortable truths.
But Roanhorse’s story just plods along, avoids anything that breaks the mold, botches the ending and seems to imply that straddling two cultures can only end in one way and cliches her way to the very last word.
Not to mention that the characters have less personality than chicken soup.
Anticlimactic at best. 2 stars.
—————
The Far Reaches Collection, in the order read:
— ‘Slow Time Between the Stars’ by John Scalzi: Different than “usual” Scalzi fare. 3.5 stars.
— ‘How It Unfolds’ by James S.A. Corey: Lovely and beautiful. 4.5 stars.
— ‘Falling Bodies’ by Rebecca Roanhorse: Anticlimactic at best. 2 stars.
— ‘The Long Game’ by Ann Leckie: Cute but unsatisfying. 2.5 stars.
— ‘Just Out of Jupiter’s Reach’ by Nnedi Okorafor: Domesticity overload. 2.5 stars.
— ‘Void’ by Veronica Roth: Time dilation murder mystery. 4 stars.
The premise is not easy and is genuinely painful — the inner turmoil of someone caught in the ultimate culture clash, a child of a conquered people raised by the oppressors, torn between the ultimate nature vs nurture choice — sharing the loyalty both to the native culture and to those that raised him. It has happened countless times before in out world; Roanhorse’s depiction of Earthers/Genteels seems to hint at indigenous people/white colonizers; to me it brings the thought of those Ukrainian children stolen by Russian occupiers and now being raised with the goal to become part of Putin worshipers generation.
It’s important and painful and begs both sensitive treatment and uncomfortable truths.
But Roanhorse’s story just plods along, avoids anything that breaks the mold, botches the ending and seems to imply that straddling two cultures can only end in one way and cliches her way to the very last word.
Not to mention that the characters have less personality than chicken soup.
Anticlimactic at best. 2 stars.
—————
The Far Reaches Collection, in the order read:
— ‘Slow Time Between the Stars’ by John Scalzi: Different than “usual” Scalzi fare. 3.5 stars.
— ‘How It Unfolds’ by James S.A. Corey: Lovely and beautiful. 4.5 stars.
— ‘Falling Bodies’ by Rebecca Roanhorse: Anticlimactic at best. 2 stars.
— ‘The Long Game’ by Ann Leckie: Cute but unsatisfying. 2.5 stars.
— ‘Just Out of Jupiter’s Reach’ by Nnedi Okorafor: Domesticity overload. 2.5 stars.
— ‘Void’ by Veronica Roth: Time dilation murder mystery. 4 stars.
April 11, 2024
In a Nutshell: A sci-fi story that is utterly muddled up in its intent as well as content. Plus, it was too YA for my taste, so not much chance of enjoying this.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
This is the third standalone story in 'The Far Reaches’ series, described on Amazon as “a collection of science-fiction stories that stretch the imagination and open the heart.” Of the three stories I have read so far in this series, this is, by far, the worst one.
As the story comes to us in Ira’s first person point of view, and Ira happens to be a college student, we get to experience the negative side of YA writing, with barely any character development, loads of rambling, and a focus only on ‘I, me, myself.’ All this would still have been acceptable had we got to understand what motivated Ira. But the inner voice mumblings barely help us know the main character.
The premise could have saved this tale had it actually “stretched the imagination and opened the heart” as promised. But the Earthers and the Genteels are poorly constructed metaphors for the indigenous and the white colonists, and hence, within 35 pages, the story tries to throw in everything possible about cultural appropriation and the ills of colonisation without any eye on the plot development or story flow. No theme, no matter how well intended, works if it is shoved into our faces so vehemently and illogically.
Even a healthy dash of the genre might have helped the tale. But sci-fi isn’t just the random incorporation of terms such as “light years” and “aliens” and “holograph” while keeping the rest of the story focussed only on the character. There is barely any memorable sci-fi angle in this story. You could have just transported it to Africa or Asia or any other colonised location and it would be the same.
The ending was a surprise. Or rather, a shocker. What was the point of the story then if that’s the supposed solution?
The only reason this story gets two stars is for that premise highlighting the internal struggle faced by natives in the face of forced submission to the more powerful authorities, whether colonisers or own oppressive governments. To what extent do you compromise in order to survive? When do you finally say, ‘Enough is enough’? As the recent elections in Russia prove, survival sometimes involves taking a morally dicey decision if it can keep you and your family safe. Given a choice between choosing right and staying alive, most ordinary humans will opt for the latter.
In short, great intent, average execution. Not recommended except to those who want to read a free story.
2 stars.
This standalone story is a part of the 'The Far Reaches’ collection, and is currently available free to Amazon Prime subscribers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Several light years away from home, Ira has been given a second chance to be just a regular college student with all signs of his past locked. No more is he seen as a poster-child orphan adopted by a Genteel alien as a social experiment, nor is he the Earther who barely knows his planet, nor is he a criminal anymore. But when certain events begin to unravel Ira’s decision to stay away from trouble, he needs to figure out where his loyalties lie.
The story is written in Ira’s first-person perspective.
This is the third standalone story in 'The Far Reaches’ series, described on Amazon as “a collection of science-fiction stories that stretch the imagination and open the heart.” Of the three stories I have read so far in this series, this is, by far, the worst one.
As the story comes to us in Ira’s first person point of view, and Ira happens to be a college student, we get to experience the negative side of YA writing, with barely any character development, loads of rambling, and a focus only on ‘I, me, myself.’ All this would still have been acceptable had we got to understand what motivated Ira. But the inner voice mumblings barely help us know the main character.
The premise could have saved this tale had it actually “stretched the imagination and opened the heart” as promised. But the Earthers and the Genteels are poorly constructed metaphors for the indigenous and the white colonists, and hence, within 35 pages, the story tries to throw in everything possible about cultural appropriation and the ills of colonisation without any eye on the plot development or story flow. No theme, no matter how well intended, works if it is shoved into our faces so vehemently and illogically.
Even a healthy dash of the genre might have helped the tale. But sci-fi isn’t just the random incorporation of terms such as “light years” and “aliens” and “holograph” while keeping the rest of the story focussed only on the character. There is barely any memorable sci-fi angle in this story. You could have just transported it to Africa or Asia or any other colonised location and it would be the same.
The ending was a surprise. Or rather, a shocker. What was the point of the story then if that’s the supposed solution?
The only reason this story gets two stars is for that premise highlighting the internal struggle faced by natives in the face of forced submission to the more powerful authorities, whether colonisers or own oppressive governments. To what extent do you compromise in order to survive? When do you finally say, ‘Enough is enough’? As the recent elections in Russia prove, survival sometimes involves taking a morally dicey decision if it can keep you and your family safe. Given a choice between choosing right and staying alive, most ordinary humans will opt for the latter.
In short, great intent, average execution. Not recommended except to those who want to read a free story.
2 stars.
This standalone story is a part of the 'The Far Reaches’ collection, and is currently available free to Amazon Prime subscribers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
September 14, 2025
But the funny thing about illusions is that they’re not all bad. Sometimes you need an illusion to keep your mind from cracking open against the truth.
A brief look at some of the unintended consequences of colonialism in outer space, even with the best intentions of the colonizers, Falling Bodies is the story of a young man from Earth adopted by a senior Genteel politician and how he tries to reconcile his narrative.
A quick plot with broad strokes of action and emotions combined, the story focuses more on the people and their motivations rather than world-building. Rebecca Roanhorse illustrates that every person and party can have their own narrative in this political world with her stark writing, and conveys their motivations and angst in reconciling their world views with the real world.
All in all, an interesting read, especially towards the end. I would have liked to see more of the character arcs and their changes towards the end.
🌟🌟🌟1/4
[3/4 star for the premise; Half a star for the plot; 3/4 star for the characters; Half a star for the world-building; 3/4 star for the writing - 3 1/4 stars in total.]
Love and hate. Is there a difference? Not for me.
A brief look at some of the unintended consequences of colonialism in outer space, even with the best intentions of the colonizers, Falling Bodies is the story of a young man from Earth adopted by a senior Genteel politician and how he tries to reconcile his narrative.
A quick plot with broad strokes of action and emotions combined, the story focuses more on the people and their motivations rather than world-building. Rebecca Roanhorse illustrates that every person and party can have their own narrative in this political world with her stark writing, and conveys their motivations and angst in reconciling their world views with the real world.
All in all, an interesting read, especially towards the end. I would have liked to see more of the character arcs and their changes towards the end.
🌟🌟🌟1/4
[3/4 star for the premise; Half a star for the plot; 3/4 star for the characters; Half a star for the world-building; 3/4 star for the writing - 3 1/4 stars in total.]
Love and hate. Is there a difference? Not for me.
August 2, 2023
5★
“I’m not an unattractive guy, but even with my new baby blues, this girl is way out of my league.
. . .
All she sees is my Earth face, and she thinks I’m just like her.”
Nope. Not like her at all. Miles from home, spared a prison sentence because of his influential adoptive father, “Ira” (his new name), is serving his parole on Long Reach (not to be confused with Longreach in Queensland, Australia, although many think it’s a long way from anywhere).
“I’m light-years from anyone who knows me. A billion plus kilometers from the Genteel homeworld and anyone who might know what I’ve done—and who my father is.”
He arrives, meets the girl who’s out of his league, and has to knock back an invitation to join her, saying he has plans. Of course he does – he has to check in with the authorities.
He is given his restrictions (limited access) and curfew hours. This is not a holiday. He is allowed on the university level, since they have him disguised as a student.
“They pass me over an ID tag. I slap it against my wrist, and it lights up, keyed to my DNA now. ‘That gets you to the levels you’re cleared for. Nowhere else.’
Great. Leash on and staked.”
By the third week, he gets antsy, does a little exploring, finds a little restaurant, when who should spot him but the pretty girl he met when he arrived.
This is a more moving story than I expected. He was orphaned and was in “relocation services” before he was adopted through a special program. He’s a guy who never felt he belonged or fit in, so when this girl takes an interest in him, he’s an easy target.
Although it’s science fiction, the situations and relationships are universal and still timely. In spite of so many societies priding themselves on being diverse and classless, I think by the time young people hit their teens (if not earlier), they start wondering if and where they fit in.
Great read from The Far Reaches collection from Amazon Original Stories. Thanks to NetGalley for the copy for review.
They are available on Kindle Unlimited.
My review of
How It Unfolds by James S.A. Corey
My review of
Void by Veronica Roth
My review of
The Long Game by Ann Leckie
“I’m not an unattractive guy, but even with my new baby blues, this girl is way out of my league.
. . .
All she sees is my Earth face, and she thinks I’m just like her.”
Nope. Not like her at all. Miles from home, spared a prison sentence because of his influential adoptive father, “Ira” (his new name), is serving his parole on Long Reach (not to be confused with Longreach in Queensland, Australia, although many think it’s a long way from anywhere).
“I’m light-years from anyone who knows me. A billion plus kilometers from the Genteel homeworld and anyone who might know what I’ve done—and who my father is.”
He arrives, meets the girl who’s out of his league, and has to knock back an invitation to join her, saying he has plans. Of course he does – he has to check in with the authorities.
He is given his restrictions (limited access) and curfew hours. This is not a holiday. He is allowed on the university level, since they have him disguised as a student.
“They pass me over an ID tag. I slap it against my wrist, and it lights up, keyed to my DNA now. ‘That gets you to the levels you’re cleared for. Nowhere else.’
Great. Leash on and staked.”
By the third week, he gets antsy, does a little exploring, finds a little restaurant, when who should spot him but the pretty girl he met when he arrived.
This is a more moving story than I expected. He was orphaned and was in “relocation services” before he was adopted through a special program. He’s a guy who never felt he belonged or fit in, so when this girl takes an interest in him, he’s an easy target.
Although it’s science fiction, the situations and relationships are universal and still timely. In spite of so many societies priding themselves on being diverse and classless, I think by the time young people hit their teens (if not earlier), they start wondering if and where they fit in.
Great read from The Far Reaches collection from Amazon Original Stories. Thanks to NetGalley for the copy for review.
They are available on Kindle Unlimited.
My review of
How It Unfolds by James S.A. CoreyMy review of
Void by Veronica RothMy review of
The Long Game by Ann Leckie
June 29, 2023
What a disappointment, a basic story that did nothing clever with its premise, never asked interesting questions, used Zootopia treatment of race relations where Native Americans and white people are literally alien species to each other and have fundamental differences because of it??, said nothing interesting about imperialism or oppression, and ended in the most predictable way.
June 26, 2023
This is a short story from Amazon's Far Reaches collection and it is a sad tale with a sudden and dramatic ending.
Ira has suffered a lot before he is sent to another planet to start his life afresh under an assumed name. However things do not work the way they were intended. Humans are not the dominant species in this clever story which I thought worked really well.
I have not read anything by this author before but I will look out for more now.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Ira has suffered a lot before he is sent to another planet to start his life afresh under an assumed name. However things do not work the way they were intended. Humans are not the dominant species in this clever story which I thought worked really well.
I have not read anything by this author before but I will look out for more now.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
June 28, 2023
This novelette (very short book) is part of Amazon Original Stories "The Far Reaches" collection.
Excellent story but it deals with very tough topics of conquest and the conquered and what the repercussions are of trying to obliterate the culture and history of those left behind.
Because it is a short read, I don't want to say more so that the story can tell itself.
Excellent story but it deals with very tough topics of conquest and the conquered and what the repercussions are of trying to obliterate the culture and history of those left behind.
Because it is a short read, I don't want to say more so that the story can tell itself.
July 6, 2023
Disappointing and annoying. I don’t know what this short story is trying to do.
Is it “if you are caught between two cultures, you will always lose?” (Not true, imo.) Is it “Look, a terrorist! No, no, these are freedom fighters?” Is it “let’s make white people and their colonialism into conquering aliens, so that *the stupid readers will get the message*?”
There is also cultural appropriation standing in the corner, with a sign around its neck “I am cultural appropriation, a bad bad thing”. Just in case the reader has been living under a rock, you know.
Poor Ira the protagonist has less personality than my laptop. Also, the ending is incredibly anticlimactic.
Is it “if you are caught between two cultures, you will always lose?” (Not true, imo.) Is it “Look, a terrorist! No, no, these are freedom fighters?” Is it “let’s make white people and their colonialism into conquering aliens, so that *the stupid readers will get the message*?”
There is also cultural appropriation standing in the corner, with a sign around its neck “I am cultural appropriation, a bad bad thing”. Just in case the reader has been living under a rock, you know.
Poor Ira the protagonist has less personality than my laptop. Also, the ending is incredibly anticlimactic.
November 2, 2023
What a clunker. A tone deaf 'benign oppressor' allegory that undermines its own message of cross-cultural communication with a fatally botched ending.
There's more holes in this short story than your average Swiss cheese.
There's more holes in this short story than your average Swiss cheese.
December 20, 2023
2.5 stars.
I honestly don’t know what to think about this. I was invested in the plot but the ending was so unexpectedly bad.
I honestly don’t know what to think about this. I was invested in the plot but the ending was so unexpectedly bad.
July 26, 2024
An excellently conceived sci-fi short tackling themes of subjugation, colonialism, alienation and belonging.
What does it mean and how should it feel for someone to grow up as a ward of the conquering people, who happen to be aliens in this scenario.
Although I find myself the outlier in enjoying some very popular but not so well liked books, and conversely, some not so popular but liked ones, I found this one to be well written and I highly recommend.
What does it mean and how should it feel for someone to grow up as a ward of the conquering people, who happen to be aliens in this scenario.
Although I find myself the outlier in enjoying some very popular but not so well liked books, and conversely, some not so popular but liked ones, I found this one to be well written and I highly recommend.
January 9, 2025
I rented this book from Kindle Unlimited since I enjoy Rebecca’s books. I was reading this one with bated breath for sure.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
This book follows Ira, who is serving his probation at a school, and is using this time at the school as a second chance after shooting his adoptive father. He knows there is always a chance that things could be ripped out from under him.
When his loyalties clash again, he is left unsure of where he stands. He isn’t sure where to go and who to trust. What happens when he makes a decision, one way or another?
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
I was a fan of the short length of the book but I definitely wanted more. As much as I would have loved to see more with Ira, I know the ending of the book was justified but in the worst possible way.
I think this book made me more of a fan of Rebecca’s novels and I can’t wait to dive into the other books I have that are written by her. I know her novels will be making an appearance on this year’s reading challenge.
I should have seen the twist with Krux coming but it still hit me right in the feels. I guess that’s partly the point, isn’t it? I couldn’t help feeling shock at the ending of the novel and I guess that’s also the point of it.
I feel so bad for Ira and I have a feeling the ending will stick with me for quite a while. I couldn’t help feeling horrified for Ira but I can understand why he did what he did. Both times, really.
Would I recommend this book? Yes, if you enjoy sci-fi in a more speculative fashion, then I absolutely would. I’d recommend anything by Rebecca, honestly, but that’s just me.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
This book follows Ira, who is serving his probation at a school, and is using this time at the school as a second chance after shooting his adoptive father. He knows there is always a chance that things could be ripped out from under him.
When his loyalties clash again, he is left unsure of where he stands. He isn’t sure where to go and who to trust. What happens when he makes a decision, one way or another?
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
I was a fan of the short length of the book but I definitely wanted more. As much as I would have loved to see more with Ira, I know the ending of the book was justified but in the worst possible way.
I think this book made me more of a fan of Rebecca’s novels and I can’t wait to dive into the other books I have that are written by her. I know her novels will be making an appearance on this year’s reading challenge.
I should have seen the twist with Krux coming but it still hit me right in the feels. I guess that’s partly the point, isn’t it? I couldn’t help feeling shock at the ending of the novel and I guess that’s also the point of it.
I feel so bad for Ira and I have a feeling the ending will stick with me for quite a while. I couldn’t help feeling horrified for Ira but I can understand why he did what he did. Both times, really.
Would I recommend this book? Yes, if you enjoy sci-fi in a more speculative fashion, then I absolutely would. I’d recommend anything by Rebecca, honestly, but that’s just me.
September 14, 2023
Future
Interesting storyline with an ending I didn’t see coming. I rarely read sci Fi but this caught my attention and it wasn’t a long read so I started it and wanted to see how it ended.
Interesting storyline with an ending I didn’t see coming. I rarely read sci Fi but this caught my attention and it wasn’t a long read so I started it and wanted to see how it ended.
December 13, 2025
Story 3.5 stars**
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator Shaun Taylor-Corbett
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator Shaun Taylor-Corbett
December 30, 2024
2 Stars for Falling Bodies (audiobook) by Rebecca Roanhorse read by Shaun Taylor-Corbett.
After such a poor story I should have been expecting a bad ending to it. But the ending was even worse than I would have guessed.
After such a poor story I should have been expecting a bad ending to it. But the ending was even worse than I would have guessed.
September 2, 2023
‘Falling Bodies’ (Amazon’s The Far Reaches Collection) by Rebecca Roanhourse is a disturbing short story. A young earth man, Iraya (Ira) K’lorna, is emotionally torn from living between two races and their differing cultures. He is also haunted by the privileges he had as an adopted son. His parents were humans from Earth, but Iraya was orphaned as a baby. His adopting father is Senator K’lorna, a powerful member of an outer-space race called Genteels by Earthers. The Genteels conquered Earth, and are using the Earth’s resources mainly for their own people.
I have copied the book blurb:
”A young man caught between two disparate worlds searches for his place in the universe in a wrenching short story by New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Roanhorse.
Light-years from home, it’s Ira’s second chance. Just another anonymous student at a space station university. Not the orphan whose Earther heritage was erased. Not some social experiment put on display by his adoptive father. Not the criminal recruited by the human rebels. But when Ira’s loyalties clash once again, two wars break one on the ground and one within himself. Which will Ira stand with? Which will take him down?
Rebecca Roanhorse’s Falling Bodies is part of The Far Reaches, a collection of science-fiction stories that stretch the imagination and open the heart. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.”
The theme, it’s only the one of two actually, of ‘Falling Bodies’, is a familiar one. It is one of many themes in The Hate U Give, for instance. Ira has no memory of his human parents, and he knows little about Earthers, having been raised entirely in the life and world of the Genteels. However, many of the Genteels do not accept him. It is only because his father is an important person in the Genteel world that he enjoys the privileges he does, privileges which are exclusive, that Earthers do not have because they are a conquered race. Making things more complicated, he and his father are frequently in the news. As a result, he feels he doesn’t really fit in anywhere culturally.
The ending is shocking, and I have seen that some GR reviewers hate it because it is not a positive one. I am not a hater of this story, though. It rings true for me. As an elderly woman, and since I got a college degree studying computers and programming in the early 1990’s, I am well aware of cultural assumptions which affect ‘outsider’ individuals, and the resulting emotional turmoil for being outcast. Being different culturally caused me to be rejected and not fit in anywhere. It makes for a lonely life. I don’t know where the author is coming from - she could be either a leftist or right-wing for all I know - but the story does ring true. I suppose the story can be read as making a case for conformity, for staying inside the lines of whatever your main culture or race is, but it can be read as giving positive support to outliers, to stop and think about the rigidity of your belief system, if you are a rigid person of beliefs. Rigidity of thinking, especially if it causes you to think you must fit in only one type of box and only forever in one type of box, can have frightening results, which is what I think is the message of ‘Falling Bodies’ to me. (I do not understand the meaning of this story’s title, though. It doesn’t suit the story, or at least what I understand the story to be about.)
Decades ago, I did not fit in within any milieu in America. As a woman with a BS college degree, my blue-collar and primarily religious uneducated family rejected my progressive politics, especially my positive views of feminism, civil rights, and LGBTQ equality. My father had no desire to see me educated at all, in particular, seeing education as a negative for women. He believed if I got a college degree especially (it was bad enough I had a high school diploma), it would prevent me from finding a husband he would approve of. He broke off with me. When Facebook arrived, a number of my relatives unfriended me when they learned from my posts what kind of belief systems I supported.
Almost every cultural group rejected me or found me untrustworthy or were suspicious of me because I love to read books, something I think a lot of GR members are familiar with.
Women were not wanted in the mostly male world of computer programming in the 1990’s. While a student, one of three women in my major, I was ignored by most of my male peers in class and socially, unless it was about them trying to get me to have sex with them. In the end, I could only find a job as an office manager, my gender as well as my being a new college graduate of 40 years of age causing HR departments to basically tell me to avoid closing the door on my butt as I ushered myself out of their office. Those that loved my resume did not love my visually obvious age.
I have discovered becoming elderly has made a lot of my various previous cultural misfit statuses moot because now everyone younger sees my whitening hair and weakened body, as well as my being retired from working at a job. I am somebody to be patronized by everyone young as a doddering and maybe demented, out-of-it old person. One of my nephews was disbelieving when he learned I listened to current rock music, including that made in 2023 (he thought Lawrence Welk, or maybe early 1960’s, or early 1970’s, was more of a fit for someone my age, and even gender - certainly nothing metal or punk!). I admit I prefer alternative, jazz and symphony over rap or hard metal, but mainly young people seem to think that is due to age and lack of fast-fashion modernity rather than personal preference. I hardly dare mention my love of Celtic, or opera, music! But yes, my stamina is minimal, and exercising in a pool is a must for my creaky joints.
FYI, old people are not a monoculture of belief, either. I am an atheist, I have a college education and I still read at least a book a week. I am a progressive who supports abortion rights, along with LGBTQ and non-White rights and cultures. There are a number of elderly who can’t stand being around me unless we only talk about the weather. I have enjoyed the renewed experience of being unfriended once again on Facebook and Instagram by my elderly peers.
I have copied the book blurb:
”A young man caught between two disparate worlds searches for his place in the universe in a wrenching short story by New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Roanhorse.
Light-years from home, it’s Ira’s second chance. Just another anonymous student at a space station university. Not the orphan whose Earther heritage was erased. Not some social experiment put on display by his adoptive father. Not the criminal recruited by the human rebels. But when Ira’s loyalties clash once again, two wars break one on the ground and one within himself. Which will Ira stand with? Which will take him down?
Rebecca Roanhorse’s Falling Bodies is part of The Far Reaches, a collection of science-fiction stories that stretch the imagination and open the heart. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.”
The theme, it’s only the one of two actually, of ‘Falling Bodies’, is a familiar one. It is one of many themes in The Hate U Give, for instance. Ira has no memory of his human parents, and he knows little about Earthers, having been raised entirely in the life and world of the Genteels. However, many of the Genteels do not accept him. It is only because his father is an important person in the Genteel world that he enjoys the privileges he does, privileges which are exclusive, that Earthers do not have because they are a conquered race. Making things more complicated, he and his father are frequently in the news. As a result, he feels he doesn’t really fit in anywhere culturally.
The ending is shocking, and I have seen that some GR reviewers hate it because it is not a positive one. I am not a hater of this story, though. It rings true for me. As an elderly woman, and since I got a college degree studying computers and programming in the early 1990’s, I am well aware of cultural assumptions which affect ‘outsider’ individuals, and the resulting emotional turmoil for being outcast. Being different culturally caused me to be rejected and not fit in anywhere. It makes for a lonely life. I don’t know where the author is coming from - she could be either a leftist or right-wing for all I know - but the story does ring true. I suppose the story can be read as making a case for conformity, for staying inside the lines of whatever your main culture or race is, but it can be read as giving positive support to outliers, to stop and think about the rigidity of your belief system, if you are a rigid person of beliefs. Rigidity of thinking, especially if it causes you to think you must fit in only one type of box and only forever in one type of box, can have frightening results, which is what I think is the message of ‘Falling Bodies’ to me. (I do not understand the meaning of this story’s title, though. It doesn’t suit the story, or at least what I understand the story to be about.)
Decades ago, I did not fit in within any milieu in America. As a woman with a BS college degree, my blue-collar and primarily religious uneducated family rejected my progressive politics, especially my positive views of feminism, civil rights, and LGBTQ equality. My father had no desire to see me educated at all, in particular, seeing education as a negative for women. He believed if I got a college degree especially (it was bad enough I had a high school diploma), it would prevent me from finding a husband he would approve of. He broke off with me. When Facebook arrived, a number of my relatives unfriended me when they learned from my posts what kind of belief systems I supported.
Almost every cultural group rejected me or found me untrustworthy or were suspicious of me because I love to read books, something I think a lot of GR members are familiar with.
Women were not wanted in the mostly male world of computer programming in the 1990’s. While a student, one of three women in my major, I was ignored by most of my male peers in class and socially, unless it was about them trying to get me to have sex with them. In the end, I could only find a job as an office manager, my gender as well as my being a new college graduate of 40 years of age causing HR departments to basically tell me to avoid closing the door on my butt as I ushered myself out of their office. Those that loved my resume did not love my visually obvious age.
I have discovered becoming elderly has made a lot of my various previous cultural misfit statuses moot because now everyone younger sees my whitening hair and weakened body, as well as my being retired from working at a job. I am somebody to be patronized by everyone young as a doddering and maybe demented, out-of-it old person. One of my nephews was disbelieving when he learned I listened to current rock music, including that made in 2023 (he thought Lawrence Welk, or maybe early 1960’s, or early 1970’s, was more of a fit for someone my age, and even gender - certainly nothing metal or punk!). I admit I prefer alternative, jazz and symphony over rap or hard metal, but mainly young people seem to think that is due to age and lack of fast-fashion modernity rather than personal preference. I hardly dare mention my love of Celtic, or opera, music! But yes, my stamina is minimal, and exercising in a pool is a must for my creaky joints.
FYI, old people are not a monoculture of belief, either. I am an atheist, I have a college education and I still read at least a book a week. I am a progressive who supports abortion rights, along with LGBTQ and non-White rights and cultures. There are a number of elderly who can’t stand being around me unless we only talk about the weather. I have enjoyed the renewed experience of being unfriended once again on Facebook and Instagram by my elderly peers.
January 10, 2024
Rebecca Roanhorse does what she does best: worldbuilding around "othering". I like it more than a lot of people it seems.
4 Stars
Listened to Audible. Shaun Taylor-Corbett was very good.
4 Stars
Listened to Audible. Shaun Taylor-Corbett was very good.
November 10, 2023
OMG THE ENDING???
December 17, 2023
Confusing
I felt like I needed more of the backstory here to really engage with the story. I just felt lost and reread it three times before I was able to get it.
I felt like I needed more of the backstory here to really engage with the story. I just felt lost and reread it three times before I was able to get it.
August 12, 2023
3.5 Stars
A well written short story in terms of setting up a futuristic reality where Earth and humanity have been conquered by an alien race and survivors have been scattered across space, forced into a false peace that is more subjugation than harmonious coexistence. Some haven’t forgotten though what it means to be an Earther, and the significant alluring pull of a home planet permeates heavily.
To say the least, main character Ira is conflicted. He’s a human adopted and raised by a prominent member of the alien race. He doesn’t belong anywhere, and his inner turmoil acts out, resulting in tough consequences.
The theme of diaspora runs thick here as the chain of events is interesting and complex. However, the conclusion for me was bleak and unsatisfactory.
Available for free with an Amazon Prime membership
A well written short story in terms of setting up a futuristic reality where Earth and humanity have been conquered by an alien race and survivors have been scattered across space, forced into a false peace that is more subjugation than harmonious coexistence. Some haven’t forgotten though what it means to be an Earther, and the significant alluring pull of a home planet permeates heavily.
To say the least, main character Ira is conflicted. He’s a human adopted and raised by a prominent member of the alien race. He doesn’t belong anywhere, and his inner turmoil acts out, resulting in tough consequences.
The theme of diaspora runs thick here as the chain of events is interesting and complex. However, the conclusion for me was bleak and unsatisfactory.
Available for free with an Amazon Prime membership
June 28, 2025
3,0 ✨✨✨
(Audiobook)
(Audiobook)
July 25, 2023
I think this story is especially interesting if you think about it in context of transracial adoption or the forced removal of indigenous children, which I imagine might be some of the thinking. This follows a young man who was adopted by an alien in a political maneuver and the complicated feelings he has about it, especially after getting mixed up with a human rebellion/terrorist organization.
November 2, 2023
Started out pretty interesting but I think the ending was way too obvious.
September 9, 2023
This novelette is harmful and misguided. It's a hopelessly self-destructive allegory. The conclusion is abhorrent and irresponsible. It's one of the worst works of short fiction in terms of my personal enjoyment I've ever finished. The story is written well enough, it's simply that I entirely disagree with everything about how it ends and the thought process that led up to it. Usually that wouldn't be an issue, but in this case I found it be unbearably frustrating and upsetting. If I had a physical copy I would've been tempted to throw it. You'll have to read what others have written about it if you want to know more because I'm uninterested in writing anything else about it. This is about as futile as it comes.
November 3, 2023
This is the third instalment in The Far Reaches short story series.
Ira’s previous self has been eradicated. He starts college far from home and hopes he can blend in as just another Earther, rather than the famed social experiment and adopted son of the human's alien oppressors.
I really liked what was going on behind the story, more than I enjoyed what was actually on the page. This was, in part, due to my disconnect with protagonist Ira. I neither liked nor disliked him as I never felt I really understood or got to know him. This was only a short story but I did anticipate some bond to have been built between reader and main character.
The nature versus nurture storyline was late to deploy but really heightened my intrigue and it was harrowing to read of the parallels between this displaced individual and the many real-life equivalents. I closed this story far more enamoured with it than I had been throughout and thought it provided an inconclusive but fitting ending.
Ira’s previous self has been eradicated. He starts college far from home and hopes he can blend in as just another Earther, rather than the famed social experiment and adopted son of the human's alien oppressors.
I really liked what was going on behind the story, more than I enjoyed what was actually on the page. This was, in part, due to my disconnect with protagonist Ira. I neither liked nor disliked him as I never felt I really understood or got to know him. This was only a short story but I did anticipate some bond to have been built between reader and main character.
The nature versus nurture storyline was late to deploy but really heightened my intrigue and it was harrowing to read of the parallels between this displaced individual and the many real-life equivalents. I closed this story far more enamoured with it than I had been throughout and thought it provided an inconclusive but fitting ending.
January 16, 2024
That ending was an unpleasant shock; I don’t know if it’s a good message to send. Overall, I think this was just okay — read like a less interesting version of Octavia Butler’s Dawn to me. I feel like it could’ve been better, but I didn’t hate it and it wasnt long.
April 17, 2025
A short, evocative story about second chances, colonization, and oppression.
Is there a right way to be a victim? Or is peace always a fiction when it means someone's boot is forever resting on your neck?
As always, Roanhorse is thinking about some of the most challenging issues we face as a species, this time against the backdrop of space.
Is there a right way to be a victim? Or is peace always a fiction when it means someone's boot is forever resting on your neck?
As always, Roanhorse is thinking about some of the most challenging issues we face as a species, this time against the backdrop of space.
July 19, 2023
Such a truly sad story!
Kudos to the author and her writing skill. Feel like a lived this story and cried at the end. Such a tragic tale!
Kudos to the author and her writing skill. Feel like a lived this story and cried at the end. Such a tragic tale!
July 21, 2023
Wow. That was really sad. Quite the downer, although Roanhorse took it to its logical conclusion. Well written 35 pages. Depressing though.
A list of all six Far Reaches stories is here. For Amazon Prime members free as ebook or audio (at the moment).
Read so far:
- How It Unfolds | My GR review | My Wordpress review
- Void | My GR review | My Wordpress review
A list of all six Far Reaches stories is here. For Amazon Prime members free as ebook or audio (at the moment).
Read so far:
- How It Unfolds | My GR review | My Wordpress review
- Void | My GR review | My Wordpress review
June 27, 2023
"Falling Bodies" by Rebecca Roanhorse: Sometimes bad situations can be improved, or at least mitigated. Sometimes a person finds himself between a rock and a hard place (or between Scylla and Charybda], and the only way out is: no way out.
Such is the sad story of an Earth native, orphaned very young when the aliens invaded and subjugated Earth, "adopted" by an alien politician to prove Nurture supersedes Nature.
Such is the sad story of an Earth native, orphaned very young when the aliens invaded and subjugated Earth, "adopted" by an alien politician to prove Nurture supersedes Nature.
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