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A Burden Shared
What we do for one another is a mystery.
A Tor.com original.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
A Tor.com original.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
19 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 19, 2017
5 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Jo Walton
84 books3,077 followersJo Walton writes science fiction and fantasy novels and reads a lot and eats great food. It worries her slightly that this is so exactly what she always wanted to do when she grew up. She comes from Wales, but lives in Montreal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
July 15, 2017
“No, seriously, Mom! I never get to do anything for you, because you never have any pain. But now I could! And you always say how much easier it is to bear somebody else’s pain. Everyone says that. Let me!”
review to come.
read it for yourself here:
http://www.tor.com/2017/04/19/a-burde...
May 5, 2017
Super depressing story about how if you ignore your own life and concerns, putting others first all of the time, it bites you in the rear. 3 stars. Free from Tor.
Quick addendum. I WISH it were possible to share pain, so doctors and others would actually believe you when you complained about something, rather than saying "it's all in your head". I've had TOO many friends, all female by the by, who were ignored and put down because no one believed what they were saying. It would be nice to just push a button so the jerk accusing you of lying would shut up and writhe on the floor in the pain you were feeling. Maybe they would believe you then!
Sorry, SUPER angry for my friends. Had one who went to the emergency room with half her body numb. She was on the Pill, in her early 20s. Told she was under too much stress, gave her an Rx for Prosac. Two hours later she was in a coma from a stroke. In it for two weeks, almost DIED. Because her symptoms were downplayed. She MUST just be trying to get attention! A young woman in her 20s CAN'T have a stroke, while on a med that can cause blood clots!! I can't even.
Quick addendum. I WISH it were possible to share pain, so doctors and others would actually believe you when you complained about something, rather than saying "it's all in your head". I've had TOO many friends, all female by the by, who were ignored and put down because no one believed what they were saying. It would be nice to just push a button so the jerk accusing you of lying would shut up and writhe on the floor in the pain you were feeling. Maybe they would believe you then!
Sorry, SUPER angry for my friends. Had one who went to the emergency room with half her body numb. She was on the Pill, in her early 20s. Told she was under too much stress, gave her an Rx for Prosac. Two hours later she was in a coma from a stroke. In it for two weeks, almost DIED. Because her symptoms were downplayed. She MUST just be trying to get attention! A young woman in her 20s CAN'T have a stroke, while on a med that can cause blood clots!! I can't even.
April 21, 2017
According to the comments on tor.com, this is a feast or famine sort of book. Most of the comments were positive and a few were downright nasty. But this story certainly struck a cord. I remember, I was 13, and I was sitting in my father's recliner (does everyone's father have a recliner?), and I was sobbing and clutching my left wrist. And my mom was sitting on the edge of the couch, with her whole body turned toward me and she had tears in her eyes. My father was in front of me, trying to get me to calm down, because like with most things crying only makes it worse. I'd had surgery on my hand a week earlier. There wasn't any particular reason for the pain to be this bad all of a sudden. I hadn't torn the incision or done anything to my hand. My nervous system was in revolt. I know that now; none of us had any idea that night. In that moment, my parents would have done anything to take the pain away, even if it meant having it themselves. And I bet even now, they would share the burden of my pain twenty-four years later.
So it was easy for me to see why Penny was sharing Ann's pain even though Ann is an adult. And even why Noah was a bit of an ass for needing a day off, and perhaps even why Ann's husband, Lionel, wouldn't be able to because of his work. And Penny is probably right, I think it would be easier to get through someone else's pain. Especially if you knew exactly when you were going to get rid of it. And it sounds like Noah and Penny have been trading off Ann's pain since this technology was invented. And probably counted themselves lucky they had careers that could handle it.
The kicker in the story is that Penny has had Ann's pain so much lately that she didn't notice her own pain of metastasized cancer that was going to kill her. The doctor says, taking someone's pain a lot often masks the symptoms. That's a metaphor right there. Years before my hand surgery, my mom was her mother's caretaker. And in the end of Grandma's life, my mom didn't take very good care of herself. She developed tendinitis and other problems that would plague her for years. She was too distracted or busy or who-knows-what to take care of herself. These days there are caregiver support groups and workshops. And seminars on appropriate self-care. But even if Jo Walton didn't mean it as a metaphor, it still is a powerful moment, though less believable. There would be all sorts of symptoms if you were that sick, not just pain. But it is a reminder that for most people pain is the body's way of getting the brain's attention. Mine just can't stop screaming.
I'd be curious to see another story or two in this world. And to learn why they set up a system to take each other's pain. And why, like one commenter suggested, isn't there a bunch of people willing to take your pain for money.
So it was easy for me to see why Penny was sharing Ann's pain even though Ann is an adult. And even why Noah was a bit of an ass for needing a day off, and perhaps even why Ann's husband, Lionel, wouldn't be able to because of his work. And Penny is probably right, I think it would be easier to get through someone else's pain. Especially if you knew exactly when you were going to get rid of it. And it sounds like Noah and Penny have been trading off Ann's pain since this technology was invented. And probably counted themselves lucky they had careers that could handle it.
The kicker in the story is that Penny has had Ann's pain so much lately that she didn't notice her own pain of metastasized cancer that was going to kill her. The doctor says, taking someone's pain a lot often masks the symptoms. That's a metaphor right there. Years before my hand surgery, my mom was her mother's caretaker. And in the end of Grandma's life, my mom didn't take very good care of herself. She developed tendinitis and other problems that would plague her for years. She was too distracted or busy or who-knows-what to take care of herself. These days there are caregiver support groups and workshops. And seminars on appropriate self-care. But even if Jo Walton didn't mean it as a metaphor, it still is a powerful moment, though less believable. There would be all sorts of symptoms if you were that sick, not just pain. But it is a reminder that for most people pain is the body's way of getting the brain's attention. Mine just can't stop screaming.
I'd be curious to see another story or two in this world. And to learn why they set up a system to take each other's pain. And why, like one commenter suggested, isn't there a bunch of people willing to take your pain for money.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2017
Bad as enduring Ann’s pain could be, it was so much better to suffer it herself than to watch her daughter suffer.
Ah, motherhood.
As soon as your child is born, you immediately become less important. Suddenly, everyone else's needs come before your own. And if you could take on your child's pain, if you could suffer in your child's place, you'd willingly do it . . . wouldn't you?
Imagine that science has made such a thing possible. Pain transference is now common; yep, there's an app for that! But sometimes being too altruistic can bite you in the ass.
This is one such tale . . .
Read here: http://www.tor.com/2017/04/19/a-burde...
Ah, motherhood.
As soon as your child is born, you immediately become less important. Suddenly, everyone else's needs come before your own. And if you could take on your child's pain, if you could suffer in your child's place, you'd willingly do it . . . wouldn't you?
Imagine that science has made such a thing possible. Pain transference is now common; yep, there's an app for that! But sometimes being too altruistic can bite you in the ass.
This is one such tale . . .
Read here: http://www.tor.com/2017/04/19/a-burde...
September 21, 2017
We say we share pain, when we sympathize. But this is a world where pain actually is shared. Where with the tap of an app you can send your pain to a willing recipient.
In this case, it is the mother sharing the pain of her daughter.
It is an interesting concept, and what mother, or parent, wouldn't want to do this for their child?
It is interesting to read the comments, after reading the story, arguing about how women should not have to do this for their children, and why is it always the women, but it is clear in the story that this is something that both genders do, in fact, the beginning of the story talks about how Penny's ex has been doing it as well.
If you like Jo Walton, you will like this, as it reads like her near-future, slightly different future, stories. If you are unfamiliar with Jo Walton, this would be a good introduction. Then go forth and read some of her books.
You can read this for free on Tor.
In this case, it is the mother sharing the pain of her daughter.
It is an interesting concept, and what mother, or parent, wouldn't want to do this for their child?
It is interesting to read the comments, after reading the story, arguing about how women should not have to do this for their children, and why is it always the women, but it is clear in the story that this is something that both genders do, in fact, the beginning of the story talks about how Penny's ex has been doing it as well.
If you like Jo Walton, you will like this, as it reads like her near-future, slightly different future, stories. If you are unfamiliar with Jo Walton, this would be a good introduction. Then go forth and read some of her books.
You can read this for free on Tor.
April 24, 2017
Read it for free on Tor.com
It was a very disturbing short story, to the point that I don't know what to think about it. The author wanted to show a concept of sharing the pain, where your loved ones or friends could take your pain away - but would have to suffer it for you.
The idea itself is just as interesting as it is disturbing, but I think it didn't really work for me, because I couldn't fully justify the characters' actions. I did understood why the parents would want to take away their daughter's pain but I can't fully grasp the daughter's position in it and how she would let her parents do it even now that she's an adult. It posed some interesting questions and made me think what I would do in such situation, but I still can't understand how the daughter could be so willing to give her parents her pain and just continue to live on as if nothing happened, and the way she reacted when she found out about her mother's disease. The story ended quite abruptly and leaves a lot of space for development and explanation that could maybe paint it in a different light, but because it does not, I can't rate it higher.
It was a very disturbing short story, to the point that I don't know what to think about it. The author wanted to show a concept of sharing the pain, where your loved ones or friends could take your pain away - but would have to suffer it for you.
The idea itself is just as interesting as it is disturbing, but I think it didn't really work for me, because I couldn't fully justify the characters' actions. I did understood why the parents would want to take away their daughter's pain but I can't fully grasp the daughter's position in it and how she would let her parents do it even now that she's an adult. It posed some interesting questions and made me think what I would do in such situation, but I still can't understand how the daughter could be so willing to give her parents her pain and just continue to live on as if nothing happened, and the way she reacted when she found out about her mother's disease. The story ended quite abruptly and leaves a lot of space for development and explanation that could maybe paint it in a different light, but because it does not, I can't rate it higher.
July 16, 2017
3.5
Excellent concept and good characters. It felt like just a scene, as if there should have been more.
Excellent concept and good characters. It felt like just a scene, as if there should have been more.
February 14, 2020
I love the concept of this short from Tor Books. Set in the near future, the successful development of pain transference allows people to literally carry the burden of someone else’s sickness on their behalf. We follow a mother who has spent the majority of her adult daughter’s lifetime shouldering the excruciating pain of her degenerative joint condition, allowing her to focus on establishing her own life and career. With impressive brevity, Walton is able to comment on both the selflessness and the folly of her heroine’s actions, the story reading in some ways like a cautionary tale about the dangers of ignoring your own health and happiness for the benefit of others.
This functions well as a short story, but even so I would have liked a little more emotional depth. It cut off very abruptly, just as the potential for some excellent character development was presented. Still, I was impressed by how many layers of a complex moral and medical issue Walton was able to touch on within the scope of such a small word count.
This functions well as a short story, but even so I would have liked a little more emotional depth. It cut off very abruptly, just as the potential for some excellent character development was presented. Still, I was impressed by how many layers of a complex moral and medical issue Walton was able to touch on within the scope of such a small word count.
April 23, 2017
Sorry, Jo Walton, but there are some examples of very weak exposition in this story. The weakest, in fact. I'm surprised your editor didn't spot landmarks of clunkiness like
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May 9, 2017I like the family dynamics here - there is a lot left unsaid, and the subtext helps to make the story more memorable. The premise of being able to share your pain with other people or take their pain for them raises interesting questions that are hinted at without being spelled out.
April 26, 2017
Tor short, read it here:
http://www.tor.com/2017/04/19/a-burde...
http://www.tor.com/2017/04/19/a-burde...
November 7, 2020
I like the concept of this story but the execution fell flat for me.
July 8, 2025
This story is set in a universe where pain can be shared to relieve the chronically ill, disabled and people suffering from acute pain. What an interesting idea and I really enjoyed the exploration of the topic here. The ending did leave me a bit hanging though and I wasn't entirely satisfied with it. Definitely an interesting and super short read though!
I do hope to read more by Jo Walton in the near future!
Read for free here: https://reactormag.com/a-burden-shared/
BRed at WBtM: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I do hope to read more by Jo Walton in the near future!
Read for free here: https://reactormag.com/a-burden-shared/
BRed at WBtM: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
December 24, 2017
I don’t want to oppose but the fact is I just didn’t like the concept of this tale. It’s a science fiction story & I have to admit the concept indeed is interesting to read but maybe not for me...
1. She woke Wednesday morning in absolute agony, pain tearing through her stomach like the worst imaginable period cramps, combining to set all Ann’s arthritic joint pain jangling. Penny blinked, and gasped aloud. When she tried to move, she could not suppress a cry. She called her daughter right away.
Ann sounded sleepy. “Mom?”
“This is really bad, sweetie. It might be some kind of warning sign. I think you should go to the doctor.”
“I’m so sorry!”...
2. Penny hadn’t traded her own pain since they had tested the app with a needle jab. Unlike accepting and returning other people’s pain, which she had set as shortcuts, she had to go through several layers of menu. “Accept, accept, accept,” she heard Ann mutter, and as the cramps left her, Ann’s familiar grinding joint pain came back. She sat down fast on the edge of the bed.
“Oh, Mom,” Ann said, her voice full of concern. “Mom, I think you should go to the doctor now. Really. I don’t think this should wait until tomorrow.”
“Really?” Penny was surprised at the concern in Ann’s voice.
“Really. I’m happy to bear this for you, but what even is it? I’m worried. I’m making an appointment for you right now!” This was Ann’s lawyer voice, solicitous but with a competence and decisiveness she showed her clients but seldom her family. “There, she’ll see you at eleven thirty.”...
An app right? By which or say with the help of that app anyone can shared anyone’s pain. I don’t know but it irritated me. A famous celebrity felt ill and the celebrity shared his pain with his fan around the world with that app. Well of course it was not the prime event of that short tale. It was all about a mother who’s willing to share her daughter’s pain with her. Of course Motherhood! You can’t argue with it. Never. It’s something that exist beyond anything. I do get the idea that a mother no matter how much pain she will happily manage to bear of her children’s sorrow pain or say everything. But what I didn’t like the fact that you can share it(I repeating again). Well that’s why it’s a science fiction, fair enough. But the ending was unexpected. Of course I didn’t expecting it either. Looking forward to read the author’s other work...
3 out of 5...
February 28, 2018
This mini review may also be found on Books, Vertigo & Tea.
This is a very brief story with a strong residual after effect. Portraying a life where we are given the ability to transfer pain between individuals, it shows the effects of a family choosing to share a daughter’s burden. A Burden Shared raises significant questions and addresses the importance and value of our own pain. As a mother and a woman living with chronic illness, this was an amazingly heavy hitter at only 19 pages.
This is a very brief story with a strong residual after effect. Portraying a life where we are given the ability to transfer pain between individuals, it shows the effects of a family choosing to share a daughter’s burden. A Burden Shared raises significant questions and addresses the importance and value of our own pain. As a mother and a woman living with chronic illness, this was an amazingly heavy hitter at only 19 pages.
April 19, 2017
Shared pain is lessened.
I've been thinking about that a lot this week, about Callahan's and everything that it means.
And then this story comes along and kicks me right in the gut.
A system that allows people to take on pain for other people. How it's easier to deal with pain when it's someone else's, rather than your own.
Which, honestly, is how I'm dealing with my grief. By looking after other people.
I've been thinking about that a lot this week, about Callahan's and everything that it means.
And then this story comes along and kicks me right in the gut.
A system that allows people to take on pain for other people. How it's easier to deal with pain when it's someone else's, rather than your own.
Which, honestly, is how I'm dealing with my grief. By looking after other people.
May 2, 2017
A stunning concept
As a household that deals with a great deal of pain, the concept behind this story is stunning. The idea that you could aid someone in this way would give society a very real concept of what others suffer. I think that the story could have been fleshed out more, giving a stronger sense of all the pros and cons as well as everyday life being changed on such a vast level.
As a household that deals with a great deal of pain, the concept behind this story is stunning. The idea that you could aid someone in this way would give society a very real concept of what others suffer. I think that the story could have been fleshed out more, giving a stronger sense of all the pros and cons as well as everyday life being changed on such a vast level.
May 8, 2017
Si sufres de alguna enfermedad crónica, deberías leer este relato. Si alguna vez alguien a quien quieres ha sufrido muchísimo, y has pensado "Ojalá fuera posible ayudarle a sobrellevar el dolor" o te habrías cambiado por ellos para que no sufrieran, deberías leer este relato.
Creo que mucha gente no ha entendido lo que Jo pretendía contar. Como personalmente me he encontrado en ambas situaciones, a mí me ha llegado al alma.
Creo que mucha gente no ha entendido lo que Jo pretendía contar. Como personalmente me he encontrado en ambas situaciones, a mí me ha llegado al alma.
July 23, 2017
In a near future there has been a medical break-through in the field of pain management. While the pain still cannot be removed, it can now been shared. This is the story of a loving mother, that decided to share an heavy burden for the love of her daughter. A very interesting analysis of the impact of such a technology on families and society. I am left with the feeling that this could have been an even stronger story, if more space was given to it to develop.
April 21, 2017
Deeply disturbing. I liked the concept more than I liked the writing (although I've read Jo Walton before and have enjoyed her writing). At the begining it seemed to go on and on with the concept but then you start to see how this has affected the dynamics between the chacarters, which for me was the great part about the story. I wish she had dug deeper on this aspect.
December 2, 2017
This is about pain.
In a futuristic society, people are able to share pain. Penny and Noah trade off on their (adult) daughter's pain. At the end of it, .
I liked this look at a close-knit family and friends - it's a nice look at illness and caretaking.
In a futuristic society, people are able to share pain. Penny and Noah trade off on their (adult) daughter's pain. At the end of it, .
I liked this look at a close-knit family and friends - it's a nice look at illness and caretaking.
April 23, 2017
An interesting subject of collective pain sharing such that very sick can have a quality life. It was however not clear how this is even possible in the story: characters just use an app to take over the pain - sloppy for a scifi story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2018
This was a great short story about a mother and a daughter. It looks at helping others with their burdens in a physical way. It is heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time. I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style and plan to try more from this author in the future.
August 11, 2019
Softer science fiction than what I’m really interested in but I appreciated the disability representation. The idea of being able to transfer chronic pain between people was a fascinating notion - would love to be able to do that in real life.
April 6, 2020
This particular story stretched credulity for me, as I can't possibly conceive being willing to push my pain upon others, particularly when the characters in this story squabble over who has to shoulder the burden. I wouldn't want to wish my pain on anyone else.
Otherwise, it's well written.
Otherwise, it's well written.
April 19, 2017
Oof. Right in the feels!
A short story in a world where pain can be redirected to other consenting people.
A short story in a world where pain can be redirected to other consenting people.
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April 19, 2017This is very sad. I can't imagine being in the shoes of all the people, it makes me want to cry.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 29, 2017A short, ingenious high concept story which gets through plenty of ramifications of its what-if: voluntary pain transference. The basic act of charity, the guilt, and ultimately the limitations.
May 4, 2017
I can't tell if this story was too short or too long. Regardless, it felt like the scenes were grafted together with emotion rather than logic.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews