All That Means or Mourns

by Ruthanna Emrys

Transformed by a broad-spread fungal infection that connects humans with nature, one woman feels closer to the world than ever, but further from the people she loves the most…

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

Genres: Short Stories, Science Fiction, Fantasy

20 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 3, 2025

Reviews

[g · Rating 5 out of 5]

hey actually what the fuck??? this was so good??????

[emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

28 Reads in 28 Days : 4/28

gently devastating, beautiful musing on grief and loss and connection. when it's no longer an effort or even a conscious choice to connect emotionally with others, how do you navigate relationships where it does have to be an act of will? and how do you even hope to find a way through the treacherous waters of grief when you're out of practice at it?

read for free here : https://reactormag.com/all-that-means...

[Ayesha · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's okay, i only highlighted a few quotes and thoughts, overall, understandable.

[Freddie W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really good! I really enjoyed this, and even at only 20 pages it had a very strong discussion of mortality and connection which balanced the science fiction and human elements really well. This speculative future brought up some interesting ideas not only about human autonomy, but also to what extent not changing with the times is reasonable. There’s also a strong sense of sadness and foreboding throughout, with perhaps a glimmer of hope.

[☪︎ ֶ֢࣪⋆ sodi °˖☀︎⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't expect much from a short story, but I was genuinely surprised by how beautiful and sad this was... I specially like how the concept of the fungal infection serves as both a literal and metaphorical vehicle for exploring loss, identity and the passage of time... all while maintaining an atmosphere of melancholic beauty. A truly remarkable read, I'm so glad I found out about it!

[Kaily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this flavor of eco sci fi. The story is startling in its tenderness. Where most authors might veer towards horror or shock, Emrys uses an eerily familiar and strange world to examine what it is to be human, to be alive.

[Thia Reads A Lot · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0

The narrator's mother is about to die. The narrator visits using a contamination suit, because she is infected with mycella. Her father comes to visit her, wearing a contamination suit himself.

I would read more but this isn't a complete story either.

[Rimsha Bashir · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

All that means or mourns is a wonderful reflection on memory, grief, and connection. Ruthanna Emerys has a lovely voice.

I felt a little loss when I started the novella because I didn’t know what to expect and it took me a minute to piece things together. But l enjoyed it nonetheless.

[Per · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://reactormag.com/all-that-means...

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

not the strongest Emrys I have read; still compelling, but for a story fundamentally about connection, it did not do enough work to establish the one between me and the narrator.

[gee ☽ (IG: momoxshi) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sad, and beautifully written. More about grief and connecting with the world but with the backdrop of a hint of sporror (it's not really seen as horror though).

[zaffia · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok.

[Tol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly what I expected. I could see this world built in the few pages taking place in a full sized novel.

[Cecilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting reflections on mourning, connection and lack thereoff

[DW Rowlands · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was short, but I certainly enjoyed it! I do, however, wonder why the anti-fungals picked South Florida to live?