Not Alone

by Pat Murphy

Mel relishes running the “Enchanted Jungle,” a roadside attraction in the Everglades filled with live parrots, concrete dinosaurs, and other unexpected wonders.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories, Adult

12 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 5, 2025

About the author

Pat Murphy’s latest short story collection is called "Women Up to No Good," a title that describes Pat’s attitude in general. Pat writes about strong women who are not afraid of making trouble.

Pat's fiction has won multiple awards for her science fiction and fantasy works, including the Nebula Award, the World Fantasy Award, the Philip K Dick Award, the Theodore Sturgeon Award, and the Christopher Award. Her latest novel, "The Adventures of Mary Darling," is a historic fantasy -- a subversive take on Peter Pan (with a side helping of Sherlock Holmes). It will be out in May 2025 from Tachyon Publications.

Reviews

[Thibault Busschots · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mel goes to a roadside attraction in the Everglades called the Enchanted Jungle. It’s like a park with science exhibits that are a bit out there. It’s a place her parents built from scratch and Mel’s there to check out if there’s any damage from a recent storm when her sister calls.


Mel is an interesting character. She feels lonely now that her mother has passed away and she has to manage the park alone, despite her sister telling her she should sell it and move on with her life. Her parents built the park and Mel can feel her parents everywhere she goes inside the park. A place full of wonders for the visitors, a place full of happy memories for Mel. A place where she belongs.


I was expecting more from the setting itself. It’s more a story about Mel revisiting some memories. Though there’s an interesting twist at the end.

[Radwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

both haunting and wholesome and sad and happy, I mean, it' interesting that the ending could be considered both a happy ending or a sad ending.

an elder woman is running a roadside attraction that her parents built and she refused to leave it and leave behind all of her memories. the science fiction element is very brief but it add the right touch

[Kam Yung Soh · Rating 3 out of 5]

An old lady runs a roadside attraction in Florida, designed and built by her father. Despite requests for her to give it up by her sister, she still keeps running it, finding it an enchanting place full of memories. On this particular day, an unexpected addition to the attraction may make her want to stay there for even longer.

[Corrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not Alone by Pat Murphy is Tor original short. You can read this story for free on the Tor.com site https://reactormag.com/not-alone-pat-...

Mel relishes running the “Enchanted Jungle,” a roadside attraction in the Everglades filled with live parrots, concrete dinosaurs, and other unexpected wonders.

My ongoing quest to get current with the Tor short stories.

“Guidebooks call the Enchanted Jungle a “roadside attraction in the Everglades,” but I don’t think that captures the essence of this place. Here’s the best description I have come up with over the years: “It’s a park filled with science exhibits created by people who believe in fairy tales.” My mom and dad believed in science, believed in fairy tales, and believed in happy endings. I suppose you have to believe in happy endings to buy swampland in Florida, build life-sized dinosaurs, and assume people will pay to visit.”

I really liked this one. You decide if this is a happy ending but in Mel's case I seem to think so.

4 Stars

[Alex Sarll]

The keeper of a roadside attraction in the Everglades, who prefers to think of it as "a park filled with science exhibits created by people who believe in fairy tales", checks it's come through a storm OK and finds stranger changes than expected. Always pleasing to find reference to my local wonky dinosaur sculptures in something set on the other side of the world, and I enjoyed the overall vibe of swamp horror but late life and wholesome, as though someone hired Jeff Vandermeer to reboot Gravity Falls minus the kids, but keep it cheerful.

[Thia Reads A Lot]

3.0*

Mel(issa) has spent all her life at the Enchanted Jungle her parents built. She walks the trail the day after a thunderstorm, checking on the parrots and the concrete dinosaurs on the path. She notices an alien saucer near the Mangrove House, but she isn't worried. She feels connected.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

The contemplations at the end of a life. An interesting ending, depending on how you feel about it.

[Pedro Marroquín · Rating 2 out of 5]

Otro relato corto gratis en Reactor. Y la escritora es buena, pero este relato no lleva a nada, no tiene gracia, y el final es pobre. Pero está muy bien escrito. Una pena. D

[Sorcha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5

[Malay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This felt like a story a grandmother would tell - simple, beautiful, optimistic, and devoid of conflict or tension.

[Per · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://reactormag.com/not-alone-pat-...

[Royal W. Isaac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet story. I really enjoyed the sci-fi elements incorporated into the story, as they were the most natural things in the world. This story gave me an odd sense of calmness and familiarity.

[The Book Squirrel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read online at https://reactormag.com/not-alone-pat-....