Apex Publications discussion

There were so many things that I liked about this story. The character development and world building were spot on, leaving me wanting more but giving me enough information that I had no trouble falling into a world where being happy can be dangerous. The descriptions were great. I felt like I was watching the infantile Buddha be struck with Gretchen's truck and then have its head blown off (fantastic way to open a story!). I sympathized with Gretchen because I felt like she knew she was fighting a losing battle, but she kept going anyway.

By the end of the story I couldn't help but ask myself if I would want to live in a world where being happy - something we all strive for - is dangerous? Would I fight like Gretchen or would I simply walk to my destruction, soaking up the contentment the Buddhas were offering? What would you do?

What got me the most is that, even after 10 years of seeking enlightenment, she thought it was total bullshit and fought it as hard as she could when the opportunity was finally presented to her.

That makes sense to me. Sometimes I think people work very hard for something that they think they want, but if they ever get it they don't know what to actually do with it. It's like somewhere along the way it became about the journey rather than the end result.

Yeah, I'm not saying I don't get it. It just always kinda surprises me. (Despite the fact that I know I do things like that to myself, too.)

What it kind of felt like was that what she resented was the mindless and unearned happiness - as though something gained at no cost (and yes, I know there was a "cost" but not in the sense I mean here) can have no real value - like a drug being handed out free on street corners which would make you all happy and let you trip the light fantastic and keep you looking at the world through rose-coloured glasses even when everything was falling apart all around you...

Hm, yeah. Maybe it was too easy. Kinda like the trust fund kids who grow up with money don't appreciate it in the same way as people who had to earn it.

A fascinating story... can't say I've read another quite like it. Beautiful imagery. Powerful ending (I'm a sucker for cute, needy animals).

I think Alma is on to something with her read of the story's point.

Unfortunately, that point is difficult to suss out because "Kill the Buddha" needed more room to breathe. Everything happens too quickly.

Or maybe I enjoyed the story too much and wished there were more. :)

It might seem odd to emphasize the whimsy of an apocalyptic story but the tone and execution really won me over. I wouldn't be surprised to see a novella or novel grow out of this little gem.

As for her rebellion, I liked the room for interpretation. Did she feel the "Buddhas" were false representations of her faith, did the lack of cost for salvation prevent her from accepting enlightenment, did her survival instinct outweigh her need for inner peace?