Una historia melancólica, repleta de tristeza y a la vez esperanza. Ese sentimiento que solo Ken Liu es capaz de evocar con la lectura de sus breves textos.
A mother with a terminal illness cheats time to see her daughter grow up (and eventually grow old).
She has no right to dip back into my life once every seven years, like some fairy godmother.
Later, she knocked on my bedroom door. I stayed in bed and said nothing. She came in anyway. She had crossed light years to get here, and a plywood door wasn't going to stop her. I liked that she pushed her way in to see me and I also hated it. It was confusing.
People that visit Tourmaline, come almost exclusively to see/read the Tome.
"It is said that the Tome tells the most beautiful and moving story in the history of the world, a story that has caused the cruelest generals to shed tears and the most morose bureaucrats to laugh out loud, a story that has entertained kings and paupers since time immemorial. Yet no one who has read it has ever told others what the story is about."
Ken Liu is very good at capturing personal memories even in a distant and convoluted science fictional world. This work reminds me of his previous work, the Paper Menagerie, another brilliant short story. Link to read it online : http://dailysciencefiction.com/scienc... The short story has been adapted into a short film available to view at : http://filmshortage.com/shorts/beauti...
Very quick read, only four pages but it has a lot of depth. Snaps shots of the relationship between a mother and her daughter.
Merged review:
This short story didn't have a plot but it was very evocative. My favourite line was "Sometimes it's not so clear if you're reading the book or if the book is reading you."
WOW. Great story. I have officially become a Ken Liu addict. Love his stories and how he can tell you a story and make you feel good about yourself, make you think with his short stories.
Yes, if I could see my children grow old I probably would.
Merged review:
Another great telling of how great books are...... and this time the story is you!
"Always, the book compels you to turn the page, to move forward.
Sometimes it's not so clear if you're reading the book or if the book is reading you."
When faced with an incurable terminal disease, a mother decides to exploit relativity to get a chance to see her daughter grow up. Despite its short length, the story really works and it is quite moving. If you enjoy it as much as I did, you may also want to check out the short movie that is based on it: http://www.beautifuldreamerfilm.com
Great short story! It carries a strong theme and for me, it triggered an episode of reminiscence, of times when my mother was still with me. The story, in a way, helped me miss my mother.
Ken, you have a wonderful mind. Thank you for writing this story.
I searched and wanted to read this book when it was announced by TOR that it was to be turned into a short film. It was easy enough to find. A quick read, 4 pages long, Sweet and poignant.