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Chlorophyll and Gasoline
Willow is a curious young woman who lives in the Yggdrasil, a city-sized tree host to dozens of villages eking out a living in the post-collapse world. On occasion, she plunges down into the dark and unmapped roots of Yggdrasil, trying to find rare plants or technological relics from the past. On a sortie to a new location, Willow finds a strange living statue that calls itself Suzy. In speaking to this statue, Willow starts to feel compelled towards helping this lost soul. However, before she can help Suzy, she must deal with the pushback at home, as not everyone believes Suzy to be the same kind person that Willow does.
95 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 19, 2018
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35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 2, 2018
I really liked the setting. The Stamen is kind of atypical for a postapocalyptic village--it's much more orderly and less tyrannical than most would go with, and very focused on living in a natural way, as might be expected after pollution causes a sort of apocalypse. A large portion of the plot focuses on the town's self government, and Suzy's arrival as a political issue, and watching that play out was really interesting.
On the other hand, I didn't really empathize that much with Suzy. My perennial AI problem--I have a very hard time caring about artificial beings. I had a similar problem most recently in Rachael Eyre's The Artificial Wife (a very different book). I did like Willow a lot, and how her character is influenced by her society but at the same time she has her own personal goals, but as for her relationship with Suzy, I just wasn't that invested.
In general, a soft sapphic sci-fi.
On the other hand, I didn't really empathize that much with Suzy. My perennial AI problem--I have a very hard time caring about artificial beings. I had a similar problem most recently in Rachael Eyre's The Artificial Wife (a very different book). I did like Willow a lot, and how her character is influenced by her society but at the same time she has her own personal goals, but as for her relationship with Suzy, I just wasn't that invested.
In general, a soft sapphic sci-fi.
November 22, 2018
Many authors write a theme book intending to drive home a point such as bringing up a tragic ending, a shocker that tells the reader this book must be important, otherwise why are the characters so moved to commit something so atrocious? Of course the book Love Story ends up with a devastating ending. This author proves them wrong.
It's refreshing instead to see a story of friendship and love in the communal and interpersonal sense. The part about making decisions through endless talking and listening by dozens of people, like the natives did, was a nice touch.
Well done.
I don't like the book title, though. I don't think gasoline powers the robotic Suzy at all.
It's refreshing instead to see a story of friendship and love in the communal and interpersonal sense. The part about making decisions through endless talking and listening by dozens of people, like the natives did, was a nice touch.
Well done.
I don't like the book title, though. I don't think gasoline powers the robotic Suzy at all.
April 13, 2019
There are lovely themes and some unusual world building in this novella, but I found the storytelling awkward so it never came together for me.
November 25, 2018
This is an imaginative and enjoyable, quick read. The world building is quite fresh and inventive: in a post-pollutant world, the humans are Gaians and symbiotic with plants, leading to green skins. Their living space is a giant tree, Yggdrasil, which has somehow subsumed whole cities which now rot deep beneath its roots.
The premise is that these green people with their organic, back to nature lives, forage down in the depths of their great tree, and one such forager, Willow, stumbles across an AI individual and wakes her up. The AI individual is a service bot 300 years old, but more to the point she is sweet, helpful, cute and lonely. Willow is keen to take her back to the stamen (her village, of sorts: Gaian settlements are known as stamens), but afraid that others such as the (un)wise old medicine man may have unreasonable prejudice against cutebot Suzy, as many Gaians have a horror of anything associated with the polluters of yore.
In a way this story handles some quite big themes, such as prejudice against individuals because of preconceived notions (parallels with racism), and acceptance of sexual orientation, all against a backdrop of post-apocalyptic disaster due to humankind’s mismanagement of our world. The fact that the Gaians’ world is not especially repressive or dictatorial, although technically dystopian, is quite refreshing.
The story finished a little abruptly, which makes me think that installment number two is definitely on the way. On the whole this is a gentle, entertaining, well-written story.
The premise is that these green people with their organic, back to nature lives, forage down in the depths of their great tree, and one such forager, Willow, stumbles across an AI individual and wakes her up. The AI individual is a service bot 300 years old, but more to the point she is sweet, helpful, cute and lonely. Willow is keen to take her back to the stamen (her village, of sorts: Gaian settlements are known as stamens), but afraid that others such as the (un)wise old medicine man may have unreasonable prejudice against cutebot Suzy, as many Gaians have a horror of anything associated with the polluters of yore.
In a way this story handles some quite big themes, such as prejudice against individuals because of preconceived notions (parallels with racism), and acceptance of sexual orientation, all against a backdrop of post-apocalyptic disaster due to humankind’s mismanagement of our world. The fact that the Gaians’ world is not especially repressive or dictatorial, although technically dystopian, is quite refreshing.
The story finished a little abruptly, which makes me think that installment number two is definitely on the way. On the whole this is a gentle, entertaining, well-written story.
February 15, 2020
This is an unfortunate DNF for me. I stopped reading at the 72% mark due to weakness in structure and pacing.
Chlorophyll and Gasoline has a strong beginning. The worldbuilding is thematic and intriguing, with the old world of skyscrapers overtaken by "stamens," colonies that live in enormous trees that root within the remains of these metropolises. Naming conventions follow this theme, and humanity has adapted to this new style of living by hybridizing with flora. In this, S.J. Fleming excels.
The beginning, also, is enticing. You are quickly introduced to the main character and the plot -- that is, the discovery of an android that is still operational. The android is unfamiliar with the new world and is eager to learn, and Willow, the MC, is faced with the issue that her stamen would frown heavily on the existence of an Iron One, let alone consorting with one.
That's interesting.
But then it unravels. The plot becomes aimless, and new elements are introduced that make no sense. The narrative retreats into the MC's mind, except the MC doesn't have anything of note to really say. We are removed from the story and we are instead forced to contend with the MC's old teenage romances, a break in lore to facilitate that ex-dalliance, and then vague conflicts within the stamen. All this is supposed to build the tension, but it fails to do so. In fact, the story grinds to a halt. What gave the story so much potential is abandoned by the wayside for sloppy monologues, poor editing (entire sections are incomplete, or use repeated words), and a change in theme.
As a result, I didn't finish reading the book, as disappointing that may be. It had a lot of promise.
Chlorophyll and Gasoline has a strong beginning. The worldbuilding is thematic and intriguing, with the old world of skyscrapers overtaken by "stamens," colonies that live in enormous trees that root within the remains of these metropolises. Naming conventions follow this theme, and humanity has adapted to this new style of living by hybridizing with flora. In this, S.J. Fleming excels.
The beginning, also, is enticing. You are quickly introduced to the main character and the plot -- that is, the discovery of an android that is still operational. The android is unfamiliar with the new world and is eager to learn, and Willow, the MC, is faced with the issue that her stamen would frown heavily on the existence of an Iron One, let alone consorting with one.
That's interesting.
But then it unravels. The plot becomes aimless, and new elements are introduced that make no sense. The narrative retreats into the MC's mind, except the MC doesn't have anything of note to really say. We are removed from the story and we are instead forced to contend with the MC's old teenage romances, a break in lore to facilitate that ex-dalliance, and then vague conflicts within the stamen. All this is supposed to build the tension, but it fails to do so. In fact, the story grinds to a halt. What gave the story so much potential is abandoned by the wayside for sloppy monologues, poor editing (entire sections are incomplete, or use repeated words), and a change in theme.
As a result, I didn't finish reading the book, as disappointing that may be. It had a lot of promise.
November 21, 2018
I was given this book for review purposes. This book was a fun political intrigue romp. I found the voice a little challenging but once I had adapted to the style, I soon found myself falling in love with the characters and world that is created.
I love the perspective of the character not knowing much about anything of the polluted age and the point of tension in this story was well crafted. There were a few points where words seemed to be missing, however I could see the writer grow and improve his craft in the writing of this book. A fun book for all ages.
I love the perspective of the character not knowing much about anything of the polluted age and the point of tension in this story was well crafted. There were a few points where words seemed to be missing, however I could see the writer grow and improve his craft in the writing of this book. A fun book for all ages.
March 10, 2020
Imagine a world long after humanity has been eradicated, replaced by another group more in tune with nature than their ancestors, with little technology, resorting to the resources in their home. In Chlorophyll and Gasoline, this is exactly the world you are introduced to through the point-of-view of Willow, a young Gaian with the task of exploring the undergrowth. But, while accustomed to finding mushrooms and other goods for her home, she comes across a unique find - an individual made of metal, who when awoken from a deep slumber resembles a Gaian...but isn't one.
In this short novella reminiscent of a Pixar-like short, Willow befriends an "iron-one" named Suzy, who after awakening long past humanity's destruction. The Gaians are wary of the "iron-one" though, and it's Willow's job to prove her new friend is safe.
With a friendship budding into deeply woven affection, the base story is a wonderful and almost peaceful tale of a newcomer adapting to its new home. That being said, it does lack some of the character development to really stick the tale home. Some of this could merely be due to the short nature of this story.
Willow is a rather bland protagonist on the front, reacting to most situations than being proactive. Meanwhile Suzy, while lovable, has never been given firm characterization. She fluctuates between being overly robotic to almost human and back again. Some of the development of their relationship moved oddly, without showing a more human (or, erm, Gaian) side of Suzy. It would have been beneficial seeing their friendship bloom a bit more, rather than Willow's back and forth to the Stamen.
That being said, the author did a wonderful job showing Willow's slow internal conflict over falling in love with Suzy. It was never what she was that caused Willow to hesitate, but her own uncertainty. And that in itself was beautiful.
This world that SJ Flemings created has a lot of potential, and it feels like it belongs right in the heart of an animated film. That in itself is a pure compliment.
So go read this book for the beautiful world, the soft W|W romance, and for a pleasurable ending that will leave you smiling.
In this short novella reminiscent of a Pixar-like short, Willow befriends an "iron-one" named Suzy, who after awakening long past humanity's destruction. The Gaians are wary of the "iron-one" though, and it's Willow's job to prove her new friend is safe.
With a friendship budding into deeply woven affection, the base story is a wonderful and almost peaceful tale of a newcomer adapting to its new home. That being said, it does lack some of the character development to really stick the tale home. Some of this could merely be due to the short nature of this story.
Willow is a rather bland protagonist on the front, reacting to most situations than being proactive. Meanwhile Suzy, while lovable, has never been given firm characterization. She fluctuates between being overly robotic to almost human and back again. Some of the development of their relationship moved oddly, without showing a more human (or, erm, Gaian) side of Suzy. It would have been beneficial seeing their friendship bloom a bit more, rather than Willow's back and forth to the Stamen.
That being said, the author did a wonderful job showing Willow's slow internal conflict over falling in love with Suzy. It was never what she was that caused Willow to hesitate, but her own uncertainty. And that in itself was beautiful.
This world that SJ Flemings created has a lot of potential, and it feels like it belongs right in the heart of an animated film. That in itself is a pure compliment.
So go read this book for the beautiful world, the soft W|W romance, and for a pleasurable ending that will leave you smiling.
June 2, 2021
This is a book where concept and execution are a little bit far removed, I feel. The pacing is choppy, with the book ending at what feels like the start of the third act, and some of the character interactions being a bit awkward. That being said, the world building is seamless, and the world itself is something I've never seen before. A post-apocalyptic, solar punk sci-fi wonderland of humanoids who live in total harmony with nature in a giant, living forest, above the ruins of humanity. Just great stuff overall, though I felt like the characters and story itself left a little bit to be desired. I would still recommend it, especially because I forgot to mention its a cute little lesbian romance story. I wish it were longer and better paced, to give the romance more time to blossom, but I still enjoyed reading it in the end.
November 19, 2018
Post apocalyptic setting with a twist!
First off, I have to say thank you for a really pleasant post apocalyptic story. Most of the ones I’ve read are down right miserable and filled with death and destruction.
This one though is a heart warming story of Willow, who is a possible descendant of the survivors of the apocalypse and she meets Suzy; a sentient robot who somehow survived the end of mankind. Two people from different world view each other with curiosity , unsure of what to make of the current situation. Willow is warned by her elders to leave the Iron Ones alone and she is torn by this order.
This was a good story and it made me root for the underdogs.
I would love to read the sequel .
First off, I have to say thank you for a really pleasant post apocalyptic story. Most of the ones I’ve read are down right miserable and filled with death and destruction.
This one though is a heart warming story of Willow, who is a possible descendant of the survivors of the apocalypse and she meets Suzy; a sentient robot who somehow survived the end of mankind. Two people from different world view each other with curiosity , unsure of what to make of the current situation. Willow is warned by her elders to leave the Iron Ones alone and she is torn by this order.
This was a good story and it made me root for the underdogs.
I would love to read the sequel .
February 28, 2020
DNF'd.
A real shame, since I had been looking forward to reading this for a while and was fully expecting to enjoy it wholeheartedly.
I suspect that Chlorophyll and Gasoline, the debut novella of the young author S J Fleming, hasn't actually seen a proofreader or any kind of professional editing in its process from first draft to self-published book. The characters fall flat in many cases, without proper depth, the pacing is strange and it's riddled with errors - unfinished sentences, missing words and punctuation, and the like. Reading this, you can see where the sweet heart of the story lies, with a cute against-all-odds romance in an enchanting and beautifully unique setting, but it's buried deep in a novella that really, really just needs a good edit. Overall, disappointing.
A real shame, since I had been looking forward to reading this for a while and was fully expecting to enjoy it wholeheartedly.
I suspect that Chlorophyll and Gasoline, the debut novella of the young author S J Fleming, hasn't actually seen a proofreader or any kind of professional editing in its process from first draft to self-published book. The characters fall flat in many cases, without proper depth, the pacing is strange and it's riddled with errors - unfinished sentences, missing words and punctuation, and the like. Reading this, you can see where the sweet heart of the story lies, with a cute against-all-odds romance in an enchanting and beautifully unique setting, but it's buried deep in a novella that really, really just needs a good edit. Overall, disappointing.
April 26, 2019
pretentious, boring and bland. nitpick, but there was a minor problem with "chapter two" being capitalized differently than all the other chapters. the characterization and character arcs are not only ridiculously flat but difficult to believe. it's like watching two wet pieces of card board slap into each other down a stream that's far more interesting but instead we're forced to watch said card board.
September 11, 2019
Living in a tree city in a post collapse world, Willow discovers a relic from the “Polluters” while searching the Undergrowth—an automaton named Suzy, who has been in sleep mode for almost 300 years. Called one of “The Iron Ones” by her Stamen (village), Willow tries to convince her Stamen that Suzy is not only harmless, but can be helpful.
The title doesn’t exactly fit the narrative of the story, but it’s something different.
The title doesn’t exactly fit the narrative of the story, but it’s something different.
March 21, 2019
Lovely and sweet
A story about a young person and one from another time. Lot's of feels here. I really liked the new world the author built to set the tale in. A good exploration of community, acceptance and sekf.
A story about a young person and one from another time. Lot's of feels here. I really liked the new world the author built to set the tale in. A good exploration of community, acceptance and sekf.
January 24, 2019
A quick cute read with a sweet ending. Cool worldbuilding and nice to read in one sitting.
April 27, 2019
Didn't grab me. It's a nice story, and I looked aspects of it (eg the way the society works - post apocalyptic with plants) but not one I could get into, sadly.
November 10, 2018
Awesome
This was a good snapshot of the world after the collapse of global culture from economic and/or ecological disaster. The village characters were all recognizable even with the genomic and tech changes.
It's a sweet story and I want to try some other stories by this writer.
This was a good snapshot of the world after the collapse of global culture from economic and/or ecological disaster. The village characters were all recognizable even with the genomic and tech changes.
It's a sweet story and I want to try some other stories by this writer.
April 8, 2019
People with parasitic plant body mods!!! Happy post-apoc world!!! AI robots who want friends!!! This book is super short and sweet and has so much potential for body horror worldbuilding fan fiction. I'm sad that the plant-gun wasn't called ...
...
...
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a peashooter.
(Ba dum tsss)
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a peashooter.
(Ba dum tsss)
February 18, 2019
If you like Becky Chambers this a good little novella but just not quite enough there for me to get my teeth into
Full review https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/ch...
Full review https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/ch...
March 24, 2022
What attracted me to this book was the premise to begin with. I loved the concept of a plant-humanoid symbiotic being. I mean, people with plants growing in them co-existing in life. How cool is that? Then throw in an android from a much more advanced time that upends life for Willow, the main character. Talk about a clash of cultures on a significant scale. How could I pass this up?
I have to say I love how Fleming was able to create such differences in the characters of Willow and Suzy, the android. Suzy is well developed as a lost soul completely out of place in a world that has regressed (or maybe progressed?) to a much more technologically free way of life. I mean, what is an android supposed to do in a world like that? And Willow is a young woman, she reads to me to be about sixteen to eighteen years old, living a life that chafes at her. These two complement each other well while at the same time neither of them fit into the world as it exists in the book.
I also appreciated how much thought Fleming put into the culture and the world of Chlorophyll and Gasoline. Taboos, traditions, social expectations and more fit together in a way to convey a sense of reality that worked for me within the book.
Now, there were a couple things that I struggled with in this book. First, it needed a copy editor to run through it again. There were enough typos, missing words, and weirdly phrased sentences that I struggled a little at times to stay engaged in the story, which disappointed me because I loved the concept and the story so much.
Another thing that got to me a little was just how angsty Willow was. Maybe that’s part of why she read to me like she was sixteen to eighteen. I understand the author’s intent was to create this image of a girl who does not belong in the world to which she was born. This, in turn, sets her up to be the perfect foil for Suzy, who as an android does not belong in that world. Yet, it felt belabored to me at times. I would have loved to see that pared down a little and see more of Willow’s history and how she interacts with others in her society.
In the end, I feel mixed about this book. I loved the premise and the world building. But I struggled to get through the mechanics of the writing and some of Willow’s dwelling on her lack of cohesion with her world. I do think this book is worth reading, just maybe tempered a little in expectations.
I have to say I love how Fleming was able to create such differences in the characters of Willow and Suzy, the android. Suzy is well developed as a lost soul completely out of place in a world that has regressed (or maybe progressed?) to a much more technologically free way of life. I mean, what is an android supposed to do in a world like that? And Willow is a young woman, she reads to me to be about sixteen to eighteen years old, living a life that chafes at her. These two complement each other well while at the same time neither of them fit into the world as it exists in the book.
I also appreciated how much thought Fleming put into the culture and the world of Chlorophyll and Gasoline. Taboos, traditions, social expectations and more fit together in a way to convey a sense of reality that worked for me within the book.
Now, there were a couple things that I struggled with in this book. First, it needed a copy editor to run through it again. There were enough typos, missing words, and weirdly phrased sentences that I struggled a little at times to stay engaged in the story, which disappointed me because I loved the concept and the story so much.
Another thing that got to me a little was just how angsty Willow was. Maybe that’s part of why she read to me like she was sixteen to eighteen. I understand the author’s intent was to create this image of a girl who does not belong in the world to which she was born. This, in turn, sets her up to be the perfect foil for Suzy, who as an android does not belong in that world. Yet, it felt belabored to me at times. I would have loved to see that pared down a little and see more of Willow’s history and how she interacts with others in her society.
In the end, I feel mixed about this book. I loved the premise and the world building. But I struggled to get through the mechanics of the writing and some of Willow’s dwelling on her lack of cohesion with her world. I do think this book is worth reading, just maybe tempered a little in expectations.
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