Love Beyond Body, Space, and Time

by Hope Nicholson (Editor)

Love Beyond Body, Space, and Time is a collection of indigenous science fiction and urban fantasy focusing on LGBT and two-spirit characters. These stories range from a transgender woman undergoing an experimental transition process to young lovers separated through decades and meeting in their own far future. These are stories of machines and magic, love and self-love.

Stories featured are by an all-star cast of writers including:
Cherie Dimaline (The Girl Who Grew a Galaxy, Red Rooms)
Gwen Benaway (Ceremonies for the Dead)
David Robertson (Betty: The Helen Betty Osborne Story, Tales From Big Spirit)
Richard Van Camp (The Lesser Blessed, Three Feathers)
Nathan Adler (Wrist)
Daniel Heath Justice (The Way of Thorn and Thunder: The Kynship Chronicles)
Darcie Little Badger (Nkásht íí, The Sea Under Texas)
Cleo Keahna

Genres: Short Stories, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Queer, LGBT, Anthologies, Fiction

121 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2016

About the author

Hope Nicholson is the owner of Winnipeg-based publishing Bedside Press. She's an ardent comics fan passionate about bringing new stories to light, and author of the book "The Spectacular Sisterhood of Superwomen" which shines light on characters forgotten by comics history.

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most depictions of Native peoples are by people who aren't Native... people who feel compelled to create Native characters and stories, but who do so from a place of good intentions shaped by hundreds of years of misrepresentations of who we were, and who we are. As a Native scholar and literary critic working primarily in children's and young adult literature, I often feel quite raw after reading one starred messed up book after another about Native peoples.

With that as context, I gotta say that as I read LOVE BEYOND BODY, SPACE, AND TIME, I felt loved by the stories. They're real. Over and over, my heart swelled as I met new characters and imagined these characters in the places their creators put them.

The writers are Native. That's where they start, as writers, and that infuses their stories. There's no sentimental words. There's no tragic ones. There's no detribalized Indians. These characters are like the Native people I know.

I'd like every single person working in literature, as a writer, an editor, or a reviewer, to get a copy and see what Native voice is like. These writers show you how it is done.

I did a Storify of my tweets, as I read the anthology. It doesn't have any spoilers. It does have some context for the stories and the collection.
https://storify.com/Debbie_Reese/bein...

[CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really great stories in here! And not a bad one in the bunch! I'd call this more a collection of speculative fiction rather than strict science fiction, so there's something in here for you even if you're not a hard SF fan. Full review here

[Shira Glassman · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite story in the Love Beyond Body, Space, & Time collection is cis f/f fluff by Darcie Little Badger, about which she says, "Né łe is a lighthearted story about lesbians and puppies in space." Forty chihuahas (and one husky!) need care when the dog stasis on the transport to Mars malfunctions and they all wake up, so the crew wakes up one of the human passengers, an Apache veterinarian on her way to the Martian colony to start over after a breakup. Really, does anything I say here matter after "lesbians and puppies in space"? If you follow me there's a good chance you're after fluffy queer SFF, and the whole anthology is only five dollars, so go and buy it just on the strength of this one alone.

I also really enjoyed Gwen Benaway's "Transitions", about a Métis trans woman contemplating the difference between medical, "modern" transition and the traditional forms of transition that are part of her people's tradition, which she initially resists. As a queer person of a marginalized faith, I really enjoy faith-positive queer narratives and non-Christian LGBTQ+ inspie so the story really sang to me on that level. Plus, it has the value of being a voice from within along multiple axes, and a well-constructed narrative structure. The leading lady also discusses policing of women's bodies both internal and external, which is something universal to the female experience trans and cis alike.

There is a great deal of appeal for me in the symbolism of "The Boys Who Became the Hummingbirds" by Daniel Heath Justice. It's not about literal hummingbirds but more about recognizing kinship with others who are different in the same way you are.

"Valediction at the Star View Motel" by Nathan Adler is YA, or maybe NA, starring a "white" girl who's been adopted into an Indigenous tribe as a result of being in the foster care system and came back to stay with them once her foster time was up. She and another girl hook up in an abandoned motel that belonged to someone important to her, and there's some stuff about being able to talk to spiders/references to Charlotte's Web. This one did a really good job of resonating with me on a sapphic level.

The other stories are pretty good, too, and kept my attention although the ones above are the ones that will stick with me; I will mention that "Imposter Syndrome" was too "gritty hard sci-fi" for me to understand so that one needs a different reviewer. There is more f/f than just the two stories I singled out, so if you're following me for that, you'll get what you're after with this collection.

[Maia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very short anthology, just 120 pages, which I think flew under the radar when it came out in 2016. It contains short stories from some very well known Indigenous authors, including Cherie Dimaline (The Marrow Thieves, Empire of Wild), Daniel Heath Justice (Why Indigenous Literatures Matter), and Darcie Little Badger (Elatsoe, A Snake Falls to Earth) among others. For me, the stand out was Darcie Little Badger's story about a Lipan Apache veterinarian on a spaceship to Mars, who has to be woken out of stasis sleep because of an emergency, and builds a friendship (or something more) with the Diné pilot. But all of the stories are very good, and I hope people still continue to find this collection even thought the indie publisher has now folded.

[Romie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aliens, by Richard Van Camp
4/5 Definitely a beautiful story with a Two-Spirited character
Legends are made, not born, by Cherie Dimaline 2/5 Didn’t really understand what this story was about . . .
Perfectly you, by David A. Robertson
4.5/5 OMG I LOVED THIS ONE! It shows how important it is to enjoy your life while you can
The boys who became the hummingbirds, by Daniel Heath Justice
5/5 Definitely my favourite! This story is about being who you truly are, and not being ashamed of it. And you should spread this message : be unique and beautiful, don’t be afraid of what’s to come, together we’re stronger than those who want to keep us in a cage.
Néle, by Darcie Little Badger
3/5 Okay that was . . . cute I guess?
Transitions, by Gwen Benaway
2.5/5 This story got me so confused . . . Seriously I don’t know what to think.
Imposter syndrome, by Mari Kurisato
2/5 I don’t even know what to say about this story . . . I think the point was ‘people are afraid of what’s different’ but I’m not exactly sure.
Valediction at the star view motel, by Nathan Adler
4/5 Definitely liked this one! This story shows you’re more than what you look like.

[Gabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful and tender anthology.
I went into it with little to none knowledge about indigenous writers or two-spirits. So for me the introductory essays were very good and helpful.
Although I would half of the stories not necessarily count among SF, every single one of them convinces with humanity and loving understanding of the authors for their characters. I felt somehow safe and warm while reading them.

My favourites were:

- "Perfectly you" by David A. Robertson, which deeply moved me and is my personal fav
- "The boys who became the hummingbirds" by Daniel Heath Justice, a story like a painting
- "Valediction at the star view Motel" by Nathan Adler, because of … spiders ;)

I will certainly come back to these stories, whenever I feel the need to be safe.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Love beyond body, space, and time is a collection of indigenous science fiction and urban fantasy focusing on LGBT and two-spirit characters. It is very well done and it was so nice to read about all these characters. I must admit that I liked some stories more than others. My favourite was definitely Aliens by Richard Van Camp, I really liked it.
If you're into sci-fi, indigenous history and LGBTQ+ characters I really recommend this collection!

[Jukaschar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This anthology is absolutely perfect. Even though not all of the works are equally polished, they're all beautiful and so hopeful. It's a delight that I can read these stories of people so different from me and am allowed to take a peek into their thoughts and imagination.

The story I probably like even a bit more than the rest is Perfectly You by David A. Robertson, but that's because it made me cry and mourn my dad and left me with a feeling of relief after its conclusion.

I think everyone should read anthologies like this, it's just good for you!

[Jenny (Reading Envy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the original March pick for the Indigenous Reading Circle but it was discovered to be out of print. I took advantage of interlibrary loan to read it anyway.

First of all, I skipped the Gwen Benaway story after learning she had lied about an indigenous background. Come on people, stop doing that, sheesh.

My favorite stories were ALIENS by Richard Van Camp, LEGENDS ARE MADE, NOT BORN by Cherie Dimaline, and NÉ LE! by Darcie Little Badger.

[Ruxandra Grrr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great collection with a lot of diversity of genres and storytelling styles. I definitely want to pick up more from these authors!

Aliens, by Richard Van Camp: A really beautiful story in a world where alien starships are parked over each continent and we don't know much about them, just that their appearance makes people take more chances in love. I really appreciated the storytelling style, it was almost oral storytelling in the way it was told, by a relative of one of the people involved (at some point the voice shifts from 1st person singular to 1st person plural). And it's funny in a subdued way and gentle and lovely.

Legends Are Made, Not Born, by Cherie Dimaline: We are on New Earth, after Old Earth was made uninhabitable. A child becomes an orphan and is taken in by Auntie Dave, a two-spirit person who is completely lovely. Very heartwarming stuff.

Perfectly You, by David A. Robertson: I don't know exactly how I feel about this one. It made me quite sad. It's about a girl who meets the perfect girl, but idolizes her from afar, afraid to call. And then she undergoes an experiment to have a virtual encounter with the idolized version of her crush... It's like a Black Mirror episode, without the cynicism, but with all the sadness.

The Boys Who Became the Hummingbirds, by Daniel Heath Justice: It's a beautifully written sort of fable. Quite uplifting.

Né łe, by Darcie Little Badger: Super adorable story about a veterinarian woken up from cryo sleep en route to Mars, to take care of a lot of puppies (mostly chihuahua). There are dog costumes (even tuxedos and dinosaur hoodies!), puppy wrangling and a really sweet slow burn sapphic love story with a hotshot pilot.

Transitions, by Gwen Benaway: A story about modernity versus tradition, roots, hormone pills versus rituals, in the context of transitioning. It deals with the question of: is transitioning a body problem or a spiritual one?

Imposter Syndrome, by Mari Kusato: This is a different kind of transition story, in space, from NonCitizen to Indigenous Woman. Heavy, but hopeful.

Valediction at the Star View Motel, by Nathan Adler: Very lovely story about a white girl raised by Neyananoosics. Eadie is a bit of a troubled kid, and the story starts with her punching someone at a campfire, but then, the night takes a sweet turn.

Parallax, by Cleo Keahna: This is more of a poem that feels like it's replicating an anxious/ painful inner monologue and it's quite impactful.

[autumn]

i really liked almost all the stories in this! my favorites were Né łe, Valediction at the Star View Hotel, and especially The Boys Who Became the Hummingbirds. I also really appreciated that a lot (more than half) of the stories were about trans characters - in 'lgbt' anthologies (and 'lgbt' stories in general) like this it's usually at least 99% cis gay people.

['Nathan Burgoine · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, anthologies mean individual story reviews will likely pop up on my 366 Short Stories blog project, under this tag.

Also, a note: I need to point out this is one of those anthologies I’ve had in my collection for, well, years. It’s been sitting on my iPad, and it was only when someone asked me if I’d read it that I went to look and found out the publisher is defunct due to the publisher, Bedside Press, being shuttered when the editor confessed to sexual misconduct and sexual assault. After I went looking online and hit that roadblock, I was looking through my digital library to see what other anthologies I had and found my copy. Accordingly, I’m going to suggest you check out anything by the contributing authors via their own web-pages, as I can't find any information about where royalty support for this anthology now goes.

[lauraღ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Your ancestors will find you, one way or another.

3.5 stars. A really creative collection of stories about indigenous queer and two-spirit characters, most with a sci-fi/speculative bent. As with a lot of anthologies, I had mixed reactions to the stories. Some I thought were really beautiful, some were just okay, a couple I didn't really understand well (and that's all on me). I sometimes skip introductions in anthologies like this, and I'm VERY glad I didn't skip this one, because I actually enjoyed it a lot. I liked what the editor had to say about the nature of some stories needing to be told, but also juxtaposed with the danger omnipresent in sharing stories of marginalised people, how that opens them up for commodifying and exploitation. That in itself makes this collection even more precious. As for specific stories, I really liked "Legends Are Made, Not Born", "Perfectly You" and "Ne le!"

A really interesting and sometimes enlightening read. Kudos.

Content warnings: mentions of homophobia and transphobia, mentions of assault, racism.

[Glaiza · Rating 4 out of 5]

"So they darted to those whose hearts beat strongest, streaks of blinding bright grace, calling to them in soft voices, sharing stories of possibility beyond the grim dust of what was to a hopeful possibility of what could be."

- The Boys Who Became The Hummingbirds, Daniel Heath Justice

I wish I could have spent more time in each of the speculative worlds as I was so immersed in the different tensions, joys and resolutions of each one.

Cont'd on the blog: https://paperwanderer.wordpress.com/2...

[Elizabeth (Plant Based Bride) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this anthology that focuses on the experiences of Indigenous LGBTQIA+ people through a speculative fiction lens! If you are a Sci-Fi reader, I highly recommend this collection of funny, tender, and moving stories.

My favourites were:

- Legends are Made, Not Born by Cherie Dimaline,
- Perfectly You by David A. Robertson,
- The Boys Who Became Hummingbirds by Daniel Heath Justice, and;
- Nete! by Darcie Little Badger


"Ever after, whenever someone heard the thrilling hum of soft wings in their breast, no matter how it came to be realized, no matter whether the quickening spirit was young or old, of all genders or none, the People now gathered together in love and welcome. For they understood once again, as they had long ago, that no one was expendable. No one was forgotten. No one's beauty would ever again be shamed. For it was beauty, and two brave, loving hearts, that had brought them back to one another."


Trigger/Content Warnings: violence, medical content, racism, animal death, bullying, homophobia, sexual assault, transphobia, blood

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[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. A lot of very interesting stories!

[Nicole Field · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really excited to read this anthology. Far too many books about persons of colour aren't written by the people they are representing. And to add to it, this book was specifically LGBTI? I was hooked. I grabbed it as soon as I saw it.

Unfortunately, the biggest problem I found was the order of the first four stories, put together in such a way that it seemed all the contributions to this anthology were a bit sameish. That's not the fault of the contributors, of course, but it made an inescapable first impression. The variety did, however, pick up in the second half of this anthology.

This is also the first anthology of LGBTI fiction I've ever read that had more lesbian romances than gay ones, a fact that made me incredibly happy.

There were several stories in this anthology that stood out for me:

It's not very often that the trope of waking up and finding it's all been a dream is a good move, but what about when that's stated at the beginning to be part of the plot? David A. Robertson's sci-fi short set in the not too distant future tells a story of a girl finally finding the courage to call the girl she likes.

The one that immediately follows that, The Boys Who Became the Hummingbirds tells an origin story filled with hope and just generally stayed in my mind. I think that's my favourite one from the set.

Another sci-fi/lesbian story in this anthology was by Darcie Little Badger telling the story of a romance builds between a pilot and a vet during a space voyage between Earth and Mars.

The final one that really stuck in my mind well after I'd finished the anthology was an incredibly short story of self love of someone who's just starting the second part of their transition from male to female.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great collection of stories. My favorite was probably IMPOSTER SYNDROME by Mari Kurisato, which is a great story that adds it's own unique elements to a "Philip k dick/cyberpunk"-ish kind of story. I would definitely recommend this collection to anyone who loves sci-fi & fantasy

[Line · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was provided a copy of this by the publisher.
So, I stand by my opinion, that anthologies are not good to get out a reading slump, but I have to amend that this one is an exception. I couldn't put it down, because literally every story had me at the second line in the latest and didn't let me go until the end. It's everything I love (non-normative SF(F)) and every single author in this is so talented....asfggjkl. Best way to end not only the year but alsp the decade.

[K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book is impressive. It's everything I've ever wanted. Native stories by Native authors, scifi and fantasy elements, LGBT and two-spirit characters...I didn't want it to end. I hope another anthology comes out in the future!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Beyond Body, Space, and Time is an excellent collection of short stories, and its existence is completely necessary. I think marginalised communities deserve to be able to read more genre fiction about themselves, especially when there are so many ways that marginalised identities intersect. This anthology fills a gap that deserves to be filled.

I was familiar with some of the writers in this anthology, and the ones I already knew were ones I already adored. Some of the others were entirely new to me, and it was wonderful to get to read them for the first time. My two favourite stories by far were from David Alexander Robertson (an author I know and love) and Darcie Little Badger (an author who was new to me), with both of those stories really grabbing my attention and interest, and just resonating with me. I at least got some enjoyment out of every story in the collection.

I definitely recommend this to anyone interested in either LGBTQ+ lit, indigenous lit, or sci-fi (or any combination of the three). I have definitely made note of some of the authors I would like to read more from.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

I enjoyed - even loved - most of the stories in this anthology. And, not only did they entertain me immensely, but they educated me too.

[Brigid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review at the Alliterates

I don’t read anthologies ever. Some anthologies are written to push publishers to think about the spaces and voices missing on reader’s shelves. This is one of those anthologies. My desire to read this is to push for more Indigenous visibility and representation for #IndigAThon, hosted by Michelle at Thor Wants Another Letter and Brody at Et tu, Brody?. Honestly, if we’re talking about diversity but there are people not being represented what the hell is the point? Those of us that are non-native or white need to start recognizing the gaps in these discussions.

If you don’t like science fiction, I’d still recommend this. And if you do there are spaceships and girls kissing AT THE SAME TIME. The gayships take off in this one. All these stories are easily accessible to those that don’t usually read science fiction. The only one that might not be is Imposter Syndrome. It’s a bit more hefty and the world building is a bit difficult to comprehend. The only sci-fi I really like are Star Wars and Next Gen so this anthology really fit me well.

Love Beyond Body, Space & Time makes its purpose to focus on LGBT and 2-spirit lives. It tells us the importance of seeing indigenous people in the future and yet being attentive to their histories. LGBT+/2 Spirit characters in these stories resist colonial gender binaries but also make sure we know indigenous gender roles are integral to their identities. Assimilation for indigenous people meant the repressive gender binaries of white people were forced on indigenous cultures. This anthology writes truth over the lies of white people’s specially curated revisionist history. Niigaan Sinclair writes:

“these stories use science-one of the most powerful discourses that have been used to “civilize” Indigenous communities-and fiction-the other tool that has been used to misrepresent and mutate our lives –and re-makes them.”

The authors take what has been used against them to place themselves at the center of the future. Indigenous artists, creators, writers are now pushing against the stereotype that they are always in the past and instead making their past part of themselves in the future.

Wendy Red Star, one of my favorite artists, uses futuristic settings and combines Crow regalia to push this message of indigenous futurisms. Check it out: Wendy Red Star indigenous futurisms She imagines what indigeneity would like in the future, without centering tragedy or colonizers. That’s what this book does as well.

Richard Van Camp, a Dogrib Tłı̨chǫ writer of the Dene nation, tells us a story about love between Shandra and Jimmy, who is Aayahkwew (neither man or woman but both). Their love coincides with Aliens, the Sky People. Instead of aliens being monsters in this place, it is believed that they are healing the earth. Using the tradition of orality in his writing style, Van Camp fantastically and mesmerizingly says that trans people, queer people, 2 spirit people, so often depicted with derision and disgust, are beautiful and worthy of love. While I loved the message of this story, I have a serious problem with the way the author chose to represent Jimmy’s Aayahkwew identity. I could see that the author wanted to show how colonialism is internalized so the default for people’s identities become heterosexual and cis. However, I think revealing someone’s 2 spirit identity is not a good look. That’s based on stereotypes that 2 spirit identities are a surprise for people.

Cherie Dimaline, a member of the Georgian Bay Métis Community in Ontario, writes a story centering 2 spirit lives saving and protecting their people for the next generation. On a New Earth, it is 2 spirit people that protect and save their peoples most sacred necessities for New Earth. For many indigenous cultures, 2 spirit people held roles as protectors of knowledge. This is remembered and told in this story. That sacred things, like knowledge of the traumatic past, are remembered and kept safe for the next generation to remember. TW: use of h**f-b***d

David A. Robertson, a member of Norway House Cree Nation, writes Perfectly You, which to me seems a perfect love letter to girl crushes. Instead of a mystical dream, Robertson uses scientific technology to transport Emma into a dream that turns into a nightmare. Science used against indigenous peoples and queer people is healed through the use of dreamcatcher imagery. That is fucking perfect. Genius perfect.

Daniel Heath Justice, Cherokee Nation/ᏣᎳᎩᎯ ᎠᏰᎵ citizen and self-described queer indiginerd, wrote The Boys Who Became The Hummingbirds. His story mimics the use of animals, such as birds, to emphasize healing colonial beliefs in indigenous communities. I love Strange Boy and Shadow Boy’s romance. I want to see them in a full length novel. It’s such a soft poetic love. Their transformation into birds seems to coincide with the message of decolonization in this story. And you know…i am just so fully in support anti-colonial messages so that just warms my angry bitch heart. TW: mentions physical violence and anti-lgbt+ hatred.

Darcie Little Badger, a Lipan Apache writer and geoscientist, wrote one of my favorite stories in this whole glamorous scha-bang. Né łe! is the f/f romance story with puppies in space I always needed. After a breakup, Dottie takes a job as a vet on Mars. While in transit, things go awry and she has to help a bunch of puppies and a whimsical pilot.

“There are supplies in cargo-kibble cubes, beds, kennels, squeaky little toys-but this operation is one bad choice away from chaos.”

It is the comedic space opera of my dreams. There are final frontiers but in SPACE! Sovereign territories and kisses. It places history as an integral part of Dottie and Cora’s place in this world. They both know their ancestors fought hard to exist in this futuristic world. The note that Dottie’s ancestors (Lipan Apache) lived through a different colonial history than Cora’s ancestors (Diné) takes on the stereotype that indigenous people are monolithic, that each tribe has the same colonial history, and forces those of us that are non-native to recognize these people as different, nuanced, and complex; just like the stories in this anthology.

Gwen Benaway, an Anishinaabe and Métis trans writer, talks about indigenous trans identity and womanhood in her short story Transitions. Benaway works through perceptions of gender roles and the importance of her ancestor’s teachings for trans women. I loved that this story has a traditional elder recognizing the importance of 2-spirit people,

“Being a woman isn’t about your body. It’s about your spirit. You need ceremony to help with that, not pills.”

I especially love that Benaway also emphasizes the point of gender being internal rather than something relying on appearances. This story is one of my absolute favorites. Benaway’s writing abilities are awe fucking amazing.

I’ve seen some critique that this anthology is very binary in the storytelling. The reviewer saying this, of course, is white. It’s important for white reviewers not to place colonial queer history onto indigenous 2 spirit/lgbt histories. They are not applicable because 2 spirit/lgbt+ people had roles. They were not repressed, ignored, or forgotten in their societies. Gender roles, I’ve learned, are very important in indigenous societies. Their gender roles are not like colonial gender binaries. Please, fellow white reviewers, do not place these expectations onto other cultures. TW: use of h**f-b***d, transphobia.

Mari Kurisato, an Ojibwe Nakawē disabled LGBTQIA artist and writer, discusses citizenship and blood quantum in her story about transgender robots, Imposter Syndrome. This is one of those stories I could dissect and analyze for weeks and still there would be something more I would want to say. This is a complex one. It is layer upon layer. You could rip each layer of this onion and still there would be a thousand more. The protagonist, Aanji is a noncitizen whose most honest desire is to become a citizen. Aanji switches between pronouns he and she but we learn Aanji prefers she pronouns.

Aanji tells us she wants to be able to “bleed right.” Kurisato explores the colonial expectation that indigenous people must have the right amount of blood in order to be considered a citizen. The gender expectations she must attend to in order to escape without persecution notes the way 2 spirit people must contend with the colonizer government and the anti-lgbt ideas inflicted upon indigenous people. I disagree with the notion that this story is about transgender transition. I’d say it’s much more about citizenship but has a trans woman center the different parallels of indigenous trans people and difficulties of blood quantum myths. Suffice it to say, this anti-colonial and anti-imperialistic trans girl won my heart. TW: mentions of rape, cancer, police brutality.

Nathan Adler, a member of Lac Des Mille Lacs First Nation, tells a romantic and supernatural story about two girls falling in love. I loved the simplicity of this story. Just two girls having conversations about peter pan, queerness, and spiders. I will cheer that any day. However, this is the one story I’m a bit critical of. I am not a fan of using the objectifying descriptions men typically use for describing women to make a story about two women falling in love subversive. This story did not need to objectify women’s bodies. The power structure may not be there in the room. But it certainly is there because the author is using tactics men use to describe women’s bodies. I need men to stop. Do not take the same stupid shit misogynistic men do to make your descriptions say something. And if it was unintentional? That’s even more sad. I am absolutely in tears that I had to read such an awesome story lowered by misogynistic descriptions.

Cleo Keahna, an Ojibwe and Meskwaki writer, wrote the single piece of poetry in the collection. Keahna attempts an exploration of gender fluidity, as someone who uses he and she pronouns. I found this piece interesting but a bit incomprehensive. I could see what Keahna wanted to do but it didn’t make much room for a pleasing reading experience.

Love Beyond Body, Space & Time refuses colonialism, and all its toxic revisionist dribble, by placing 2 spirit indigenous self love, from 2 spirit people and those within the community, as futuristic genius. This story is more amazing than most anthologies purely because it attempts to reach for something no one else is thinking about. It realizes something is missing in publishing and fulfills that need.

Rating: (4.5)

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you can’t tell from the title, Love Beyond Body, Space and Time is a short story collection focused on LGBT and two-spirit science fiction and fantasy and written by all indigenous authors. I always have an eye out for queer SFF, and I also haven’t read much by Native American authors. I want to correct this flaw in my reading, and this anthology looked like it would introduce me to a number of relevant authors.

The only author in the anthology I’d heard of before was Daniel Heath Justice, although this was my first chance to read his work. As I’d hoped, I enjoyed several short stories in this collection and will seek out more of those author’s work.

The collection had several introductions which took up a hefty chunk of the page count. In retrospect, I wish I’d skipped them and headed straight for the stories instead. Unfortunately, I didn’t like the first story, “Aliens” by Richard van Camp. The experimentation with POV didn’t work for me, and I don’t know how well it fit in with the theme of the collection. It also has some iffy treatment of intersex people as plot points.

“Legends are Made, Not Born” by Cherie Dimaline was an improvement over the first story, but I still felt like it was missing something. I think the core idea was interesting, but the story could have used more development. Perhaps expanding it some?

Daniel Heath Justice’s story, “The Boys Who Became the Hummingbirds,” was all right but not really what I was looking for – it was very much in the style of a myth. The writing however was lovely, and I still plan to read more by Justice.

My favorite story of the collection was “Né łe” by Darci Little Badger. This story was adorable! A vet travels to a new life on Mars, but she’s woken up partway through the journey to take care of some dogs whose sleep pods have malfunctioned. Basically, this story has a f/f romance and dogs in space. It’s no wonder I loved it so much.

My second favorite of the collection was probably “Impostor Syndrome” by Mari Kurisato, which tells the tale of a cyborg who wishes to be human. The story was excellently constructed and managed to combine classic tropes with a modern feel.

Other stories in the collection include “Transitions” by Gwen Benaway, “Perfectly You” by David A. Robertson, “Valediction at the Star View Motel” by Nathan Adler, and a poem, “Parallax” by Cleo Keahna. These stories were all perfectly decent but didn’t stand out much to me one way or the other.

While I think the beginning of the collection was weak, I’m glad that I ultimately stuck with Love Beyond Body, Space and Time.

Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I essentially read this cover-to-cover, but it was in pdf. Very much recommended.

[Kara Babcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, huge shout-out to the Oxford comma lurking in this title. Yeah, it’s kind of a big deal.

Love Beyond Body, Space, and Time is an anthology of queer Indigenous science fiction and fantasy by Indigenous authors. That’s it, and yet it is so much more. I really liked Hope Nicholson’s comment in her foreword about how some stories aren’t meant to be told, or at least, do not need to be shared with just anyone. This is something I've become more aware of as I learn more about the traditions of the Anishnaabeg on whose traditional territory I reside. As a teacher, there is the well-meaning temptation to just grab any old story from another culture and use it in the classroom because diversity! Yet as Nicholson reminds us, there’s more to it. In many Indigenous traditions, stories are associated with particular times and places for the telling, or they are passed on from elders and other knowledge-keepers—you earn the privilege of getting to tell certain stories. So now I’m trying to be more mindful of how I bring stories from various cultures into my classroom.

It’s tempting as a reviewer to remark first on the Indigeneity of these stories and then on the queerness, as if these dimensions can be teased apart and separated. That’s not possible. These are not queer stories that are also Indigenous, or vice versa; they are queer Indigenous (or Indigenous queer, whatever order you choose) stories. As Niigaan Sinclair points out in his piece, two-spirit concepts of gender identity and expression are distinct constructs of various Indigenous cultures and don’t easily fit within any Eurocentric models of gender, even ones that recognize queerness. As far as I can tell, from my perspective as an outsider, to be Indigenous and queer is a journey to decolonize oneself, and it’s really something. I can’t say what this book would mean to someone who fits those labels.

What I can say is that this book represents so much creativity. It’s science fiction, but many of the stories are subtle in their speculation. I quite liked Richard Van Camp’s “Aliens,” in which the aliens are present but don’t actually figure much in the story (and indeed, if you read the story, you might reach the conclusion that the title doesn’t refer to those extraterrestrials at all). Or “Transitions,” which could probably exist in our present day universe. And then you have more explicitly science-fictional tales, like “Imposter Syndrome,” which I could so see being a very moving short film.

It positions Indigenous people in the here and now, or in the future even, which is a very bold thing to do in a present that still very much likes genocide and white supremacy. I love finding stories about Indigenous people that don’t locate them in the past. Moreover, so many of these stories lack intense central conflicts. I’m pretty sure it was Le Guin who turned me on to the idea that conflict is not necessary for a story to work. It’s easy, but it isn’t necessary. These are stories about loving or being loved, either loving others or loving oneself, about acceptance and discovery and healing. There are moments of sadness and joy, downs and ups. But they are universally euphoric in the assertion that they are about people who live and breathe and eat and sleep and shit and love. And it’s this no-nonsense approach to the storytelling, this refusal to capitulate to the settler gaze’s voracious hunger for trauma porn and wise old Indigenous people, that is so exceptional.

I’ll conclude with a shout-out to my library, which shelved this book as YA. I don’t know if I agree that it’s young adult. Most of the stories are about adults. Nevertheless, I really do think the YA section is where this book belongs. I hope teens who are trying to find themselves stumble across this slim, approachable volume—or are directed there by a well-meaning, supportive librarian or other trusted voice—and have their minds open to the possibilities that they can be who they are, or who they want to be, on terms of their own making.

[Jayme · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a little hesitant going into this since it's marketed as YA, which is very hit or miss for me. But most of this is not YA. Some of the protagonists are indeed young, but most of the stories themselves didn't read as young to me. And I'm glad I didn't listen to that doubt because this collection was so excellently curated! Every single one was enjoyable to me and I thought they all fit together really well despite being super different.

Perfectly You by David A. Robertson and Legends are Made, Not Born by Cherie Dimaline were both great reminders that I've been wanting to read from these authors. Perfectly You, in particular, was a great time. Kind of Black Mirror-light, making great use of the VR vacation trope for a sweet (then weird) teen romance.

Imposter Syndrom by Mari Kurisato and Transitions by Gwen Benaway were my favourite stories from the collection and also both by new-to-me authors that I will definitely be looking into reading more from. Both had extremely interesting, and wildly different, concepts on transitioning.

I'm really looking forward to the companion anthology Love After the End: An Anthology of Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer Speculative Fiction, which I've heard has sequels or repeat characters from stories in this anthology.

[Ashleigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know very little about indigenous people, but I am always open to learning more about different cultures and backgrounds.

I had actually never heard about two-spirited people before, and I really appreciated the great description we got at the beginning of the book.

Unfortunately, this anthology just didn't work for me. I thought the writing in the majority of the stories was good, and it definitely helped introduce me to topics I knew nothing about, but I wouldn't say I loved the anthology. Also, I really don't like sci-fi, so that didn't work for me either.

Overall, I believe this is an important anthology in terms of representation, but I didn't love it.

[Anne-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A much-needed, varied anthology collection of indigenous LGBTQIA+ stories in the sci-fi genre.
Some I really enjoyed, while others were just okay for me.
Definitely recommend for those who have even a passing interest in the topics/collection!

My favourites:

Aliens - Niigaan Sinclair
The boys who became the hummingbirds - Daniel Heath Justice
Né Łe! - Darcie Little Badger
Transitions - Gwen Benaway

[sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was amazing.

my favorite stories were
• NÉ LE! by Darcie Little Badger
• Transitions by Gwen Benaway
• Valediction at the Star View Motel by Nathan Adler