Rute’s Reviews > The Beginning of the World in the Middle of the Night > Status Update
Rute
is on page 101 of 212
6th story: Little Deaths
Vivid and weird, evoking death, memory and loss. A world full of ghosts and the strangest homework you'll ever see:
"Maths: How much should your family and friends cry at your funeral? You have a limit of 1000 tears. Please share these out among those you expect to attend. Show your working."
It's too short to fully satisfy though, I would love a whole novel set in this world.
— Jun 01, 2018 08:01AM
Vivid and weird, evoking death, memory and loss. A world full of ghosts and the strangest homework you'll ever see:
"Maths: How much should your family and friends cry at your funeral? You have a limit of 1000 tears. Please share these out among those you expect to attend. Show your working."
It's too short to fully satisfy though, I would love a whole novel set in this world.
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Rute’s Previous Updates
Rute
is on page 209 of 212
12th story: Bright White Hearts
Good note to end on. Loved all the parallels between the sea and the sky/space as well as all the folklore and fairytales relating to bodily difference - how we define ourselves through stories. My one quibble is that the writing wasn't working for me at the beginning of the story. Jen's style is always fragmentary, but at first this one wasn't coming together as well as the others.
— Jun 03, 2018 10:19AM
Good note to end on. Loved all the parallels between the sea and the sky/space as well as all the folklore and fairytales relating to bodily difference - how we define ourselves through stories. My one quibble is that the writing wasn't working for me at the beginning of the story. Jen's style is always fragmentary, but at first this one wasn't coming together as well as the others.
Rute
is on page 188 of 212
11th story: Human Satellites
I wasn't expecting a sci-fi premise in this collection! Very intriguing. A planet called The Hours folds in itself and contains matter from the future, but its discovery gives rise to a range of very human reactions. Not usually a fan of such short short stories, however, this one hit absolutely the right note with me.
— Jun 02, 2018 03:13PM
I wasn't expecting a sci-fi premise in this collection! Very intriguing. A planet called The Hours folds in itself and contains matter from the future, but its discovery gives rise to a range of very human reactions. Not usually a fan of such short short stories, however, this one hit absolutely the right note with me.
Rute
is on page 182 of 212
10th story: Sea Devils
There is a sadness and cruelty to this one that will get to you. Not my favourite, but it's hard not to be affected by it.
— Jun 02, 2018 09:17AM
There is a sadness and cruelty to this one that will get to you. Not my favourite, but it's hard not to be affected by it.
Rute
is on page 173 of 212
9th story: Aunt Libby's Coffin Hotel
Very funny with a suitably creepy ending, this is just a fun ride. A Coffin Hotel is just a great concept and all the shenanigans these women get up, to to keep up their con, are hilarious. But is there any real supernatural stuff going on? The most thrilling yet.
— Jun 02, 2018 04:06AM
Very funny with a suitably creepy ending, this is just a fun ride. A Coffin Hotel is just a great concept and all the shenanigans these women get up, to to keep up their con, are hilarious. But is there any real supernatural stuff going on? The most thrilling yet.
Rute
is on page 142 of 212
8th story: Pebbles
Sweet and moving. There's a whole lot of interesting imagery in this one, but I have to admit it didn't end being quite as compelling as I was hoping from the beginning of the story.
— Jun 01, 2018 08:16AM
Sweet and moving. There's a whole lot of interesting imagery in this one, but I have to admit it didn't end being quite as compelling as I was hoping from the beginning of the story.
Rute
is on page 129 of 212
7th story: The Beginning of the World in the Middle of the Night
Loved all the stories of creation (no logic allowed!). Loved the idea of mapping out our beginnings and of all the versions of ourselves. Quietly heartbreaking. Didn't think I'd like the play format but it worked perfectly here.
— Jun 01, 2018 08:09AM
Loved all the stories of creation (no logic allowed!). Loved the idea of mapping out our beginnings and of all the versions of ourselves. Quietly heartbreaking. Didn't think I'd like the play format but it worked perfectly here.
Rute
is on page 94 of 212
5th story: Margaret and Mary and the End of the World
This one will get under your skin. Margaret uses art, religion and fairytales to come to terms with her trauma. The story (and Margaret herself) goes around its themes but avoids addressing them directly, so it'll take some time for you to get the full picture. But what a horrifying and heartbreaking ppicture it is.
— May 17, 2018 02:01PM
This one will get under your skin. Margaret uses art, religion and fairytales to come to terms with her trauma. The story (and Margaret herself) goes around its themes but avoids addressing them directly, so it'll take some time for you to get the full picture. But what a horrifying and heartbreaking ppicture it is.
Rute
is on page 64 of 212
3rd story: Plum Pie. Zombie Green. Yellow Bee. Purple Monster.
Weird in the best way. Blends folklore and speculative fiction beautifully in a tale of a group of part-human part-plant kids. An interesting look at the societal treatment of bodily difference.
4th story: In The Dark
My least favourite so far, wish it was more developed. A snapshot of a chance encounter, showing how bonds can form even across languages.
— May 17, 2018 08:33AM
Weird in the best way. Blends folklore and speculative fiction beautifully in a tale of a group of part-human part-plant kids. An interesting look at the societal treatment of bodily difference.
4th story: In The Dark
My least favourite so far, wish it was more developed. A snapshot of a chance encounter, showing how bonds can form even across languages.
Rute
is on page 39 of 212
2nd story: Jacob
Sweet and moving. Jacob's voice is perfectly believable as child.
— Mar 30, 2018 07:55AM
Sweet and moving. Jacob's voice is perfectly believable as child.
Rute
is on page 26 of 212
1st story: Animals
Creepy, dark and lusciously written. A surreal take on love and abuse.
— Mar 25, 2018 09:06AM
Creepy, dark and lusciously written. A surreal take on love and abuse.
