Author Topic: Escape Pod Flash Fiction Contest, Second Place: Skyscrapers  (Read 7207 times)

Russell Nash

  • Guest
Escape Pod Flash Fiction Contest, Second Place: Skyscrapers

By Rachel Swirsky.
Read by Ann Leckie

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

Rated PG. Contains mythical figures.



Listen to this week’s Escape Pod!


—————

Original Contest thread for Skyscrapers
« Last Edit: November 28, 2008, 09:15:02 PM by Heradel »



Zathras

  • Guest
Reply #1 on: November 28, 2008, 08:58:37 PM
It was ok, not great, not bad.  Just didn't do anything for me.



Windup

  • Hipparch
  • ******
  • Posts: 1226
Reply #2 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.

"My whole job is in the space between 'should be' and 'is.' It's a big space."


stePH

  • Actually has enough cowbell.
  • Hipparch
  • ******
  • Posts: 3906
  • Cool story, bro!
    • Thetatr0n on SoundCloud
Reply #3 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?

"Nerdcore is like playing Halo while getting a blow-job from Hello Kitty."
-- some guy interviewed in Nerdcore Rising


Anarkey

  • Meen Pie
  • Hipparch
  • ******
  • Posts: 703
  • ...depends a good deal on where you want to get to
Reply #4 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.

Winner Nash's 1000th member betting pool + Thaurismunths' Free Rice Contest!


DKT

  • Friendly Neighborhood
  • Hipparch
  • ******
  • Posts: 4980
  • PodCastle is my Co-Pilot
    • Psalms & Hymns & Spiritual Noir
Reply #5 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.


Raving_Lunatic

  • Radiohead Addict (please, do not encourage this)
  • Lochage
  • *****
  • Posts: 470
  • Red Blue Green
Reply #6 on: December 01, 2008, 09:46:33 PM
I really liked this. Fallen angels...



Windup

  • Hipparch
  • ******
  • Posts: 1226
Reply #7 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!!

"My whole job is in the space between 'should be' and 'is.' It's a big space."


eytanz

  • Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 6109
Reply #8 on: December 01, 2008, 11:23:11 PM
Great little story... Though I'm not sure I buy the skyscraper/tree analogy.



Swamp

  • Hipparch
  • ******
  • Posts: 2230
    • Journey Into... podcast
Reply #9 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.

Facehuggers don't have heads!

Come with me and Journey Into... another fun podcast


Russell Nash

  • Guest
Reply #10 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. 



MacArthurBug

  • Giddy
  • Hipparch
  • ******
  • Posts: 648
  • I can resist anything except temptation
    • undercaffinated
Reply #11 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.

Oh, great and mighty Alasdair, Orator Maleficent, He of the Silvered Tongue, guide this humble fangirl past jumping up and down and squeeing upon hearing the greatness of Thy voice.
Oh mighty Mur the Magnificent. I am not worthy.


Listener

  • Hipparch
  • ******
  • Posts: 3187
  • I place things in locations which later elude me.
    • Various and Sundry Items of Interest
Reply #12 on: December 15, 2008, 02:53:28 PM
I enjoyed it. The nymph/nympho thing was a nice touch.

"Farts are a hug you can smell." -Wil Wheaton

Blog || Quote Blog ||  Written and Audio Work || Twitter: @listener42


Unblinking

  • Sir Postsalot
  • Hipparch
  • ******
  • Posts: 8729
    • Diabolical Plots
Reply #13 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.