A Well-Fed Companion

by Congyun "Mu Ming" Gu, Kiera Johnson (translator)

In a future where human souls take the form of animal companions, Hairuo struggles to keep her cat fed on the tedium of her day-to-day, until she meets an enigmatic stranger who has a well-fed cat...and an appetite of his own.

Genres: Short Stories, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Cats

36 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2024

Reviews

[Alina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Well-Fed Companion by Congyun "Mu Ming" Gu - 3+/5★

Not sure if I got this right, that's why I only gave it 3 stars, I like my stories to be a little less metaphorical, even though the whole story was a nicely done metaphor. We have a futuristic world where human souls manifest physically as animal companions, and through the interaction of these ‘pets’ the author touches on identity and self-discovery, alienation, difference of power and level of commitment in relationships, authenticity and truth as food for the soul.

The short story is found in Some of the Best from Reactor: 2024 Edition and can also be read on REACTOR

[Chuck Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I commend the author for a short story full of beautiful prose and deep meaning regarding loneliness, companionship, and the bond we have with animals, this story was just (to be frank) boring. it was very lyrical and the author did a great job telling the story with beautiful words, but I felt that the story just didn’t really ever get going. The characters were a bit bland (although the MC does go through a bit of a “growth spurt” at the end of the story) and I just really struggled to get into this story.

[Beth N · Rating 2 out of 5]

An allegorical short story in which cats and dogs are the outward expressions of people's souls.

The allegory was pushed a little too hard for my personal taste but the conclusion was sweet.

[Kam Yung Soh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of a world where human souls can be given form as a companion, usually as a dog, to be fed and nurtured. In this story, the protagonist's companion is a cat. But her efforts to nurture and feed it with stories she creates don't seem to be going well, and neither is her job as a designer. Then, she meets a fellow worker who attracts her and has an interest in her. But it is only after meeting his big, mean cat does she realize what they feed on to nurture themselves at her expense.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This meanders a lot, in the way Chinese science fiction has a tendency to do. I thought that it was an interesting version of the daemons from His Dark Materials, but in some ways a bit darker, and of course, more science fiction-y.

[Tayler K · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting. Love the concept and the glimpses of world-building. I feel like I'm missing something though...

I like/want to like short stories, but as often as not I feel like what I assume is intended as an artsy or philosophical laconicism just lands for me as lacking and lazy.

[deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has such a fascinating premise and I loved the introspective and artistic yet vaguely haunting tone of it all.

[Heaven Ashlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, musing and a little confusing but I wonder if that was purposeful or just because of the translation....

[caro_cactus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I love both my cat and His Dark Materials, so of course this resonated with me - but it's also a sensitive exploration of hidden selves and alienation, and I liked the ending.

[Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting premise.

[Per · Rating 3 out of 5]

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