Escape Artists

Escape Pod => Episode Comments => Topic started by: Russell Nash on November 28, 2008, 08:51:19 PM

Title: Escape Pod Flash Fiction Contest, Second Place: Skyscrapers
Post by: Russell Nash on November 28, 2008, 08:51:19 PM
Escape Pod Flash Fiction Contest, Second Place: Skyscrapers (http://escapepod.org/2008/11/28/escape-pod-flash-fiction-contest-second-place-skyscrapers/)

By Rachel Swirsky (http://www.rachelswirsky.com/).
Read by Ann Leckie (http://www.annleckie.com/)

Summers, I sleep on rooftops. Under smokestacks, beside stairs, in the sudden green of precarious gardens.

Rated PG. Contains mythical figures.


(http://escapepod.org/wp-images/podcast-mini4.gif)
Listen to this week’s Escape Pod! (http://media.rawvoice.com/escapepod/media.libsyn.com/media/escapepod/EPFlash027_Skyscrapers.mp3)

—————

Original Contest thread for Skyscrapers (http://forum.escapeartists.net/index.php?topic=340.0;all)
Title: Re: Escape Pod Flash Fiction Contest, Second Place: Skyscrapers
Post by: Zathras on November 28, 2008, 08:58:37 PM
It was ok, not great, not bad.  Just didn't do anything for me.
Title: Re: Escape Pod Flash Fiction Contest, Second Place: Skyscrapers
Post by: Windup on December 01, 2008, 05:26:16 AM
I liked this one a great deal.  Deft, sure strokes to build a world and a character in just a few paragraphs.  And, I've always been a sucker for stories about the fate of mythic figures in the modern world.
Title: Re: Escape Pod Flash Fiction Contest, Second Place: Skyscrapers
Post by: stePH on December 01, 2008, 05:48:13 AM
I liked this one a great deal.  Deft, sure strokes to build a world and a character in just a few paragraphs.  And, I've always been a sucker for stories about the fate of mythic figures in the modern world.

Shall I direct you to the works of Charles DeLint, or have you already been there and done that?
Title: Re: Escape Pod Flash Fiction Contest, Second Place: Skyscrapers
Post by: Anarkey on December 01, 2008, 09:00:43 PM
I thought having this read to me, as opposed to reading it myself, the way I did during the contest, really made the work blossom.  I liked it before, but the rhythm of the sounds is so beautiful and that part didn't come off the page for me before.  Lovely words, carefully put together.  Nice.
Title: Re: Escape Pod Flash Fiction Contest, Second Place: Skyscrapers
Post by: DKT on December 01, 2008, 09:19:34 PM
It is really, really nice to hear these stories. Thanks for bringing them to us, Rachel.

I also really dug the rhythm of this piece and the reading Ann gave it. Well done all around.
Title: Re: Escape Pod Flash Fiction Contest, Second Place: Skyscrapers
Post by: Raving_Lunatic on December 01, 2008, 09:46:33 PM
I really liked this. Fallen angels...
Title: Re: Escape Pod Flash Fiction Contest, Second Place: Skyscrapers
Post by: Windup on December 01, 2008, 10:40:41 PM

Shall I direct you to the works of Charles DeLint, or have you already been there and done that?


No, never heard of him. But his work looks interesting. Thanks!!
Title: Re: Escape Pod Flash Fiction Contest, Second Place: Skyscrapers
Post by: eytanz on December 01, 2008, 11:23:11 PM
Great little story... Though I'm not sure I buy the skyscraper/tree analogy.
Title: Re: Escape Pod Flash Fiction Contest, Second Place: Skyscrapers
Post by: Swamp on December 02, 2008, 02:06:49 PM
Like Anarkey, I feel that when listened to rather than read, this story really shines.  I like this story even better now than back in the contest.  Truly, a great little piece.
Title: Re: Escape Pod Flash Fiction Contest, Second Place: Skyscrapers
Post by: Russell Nash on December 10, 2008, 08:04:45 PM
Great little story... Though I'm not sure I buy the skyscraper/tree analogy.

That's the problem I had with it. 
Title: Re: Escape Pod Flash Fiction Contest, Second Place: Skyscrapers
Post by: MacArthurBug on December 11, 2008, 01:44:45 PM
Ooooh this is so pretty! This story reminded me of one of my mothers quilts- expertly pieced together, stitched with infinite love, and so very pretty in it's final creation that it's hard to imagine someone actually making it.
Title: Re: Escape Pod Flash Fiction Contest, Second Place: Skyscrapers
Post by: Listener on December 15, 2008, 02:53:28 PM
I enjoyed it. The nymph/nympho thing was a nice touch.
Title: Re: Escape Pod Flash Fiction Contest, Second Place: Skyscrapers
Post by: Unblinking on February 05, 2010, 06:11:01 PM
I've got to admit I don't really get it.  Pretty language is fine, but I prefer it to go along with plot motion.