Author Topic: EP218: Ode To Katan Amano  (Read 30781 times)

Bdoomed

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Reply #25 on: October 06, 2009, 07:28:04 AM
I liked the surprise when I realized 'the owner' was a woman (if that wasn't revealed earlier and I missed it).

I was surprised, too, and then berated myself for assuming. >_>

i'll third this.  I even listened to it again and forgot that it was a female owner, and was a bit surprised again (tho not as much, more of an "oh yeah i forgot")

anyway I don't get all of the negative feedback here, I enjoyed it.  Maybe it would have been better received over at Pseudopod...
and great reading! :) I'd like to hear more from Kim the Comic Book Goddess!

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stePH

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Reply #26 on: October 06, 2009, 02:06:54 PM
Boring and pointless.  Also, the switches between scenes with the owner and scenes in the warehouse could have used more of a pause to separate them.

But I must say it was good to hear Eley again.  You're still the best at making pre-written intros and outros sound natural and unscripted, and thanks for not giving me three straight weeks of Sherman.

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monkeystuff

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Reply #27 on: October 07, 2009, 03:12:40 AM
damn, its been a couple of days since i listened to this podcast and i still have that creepy doll song stuck in my head...

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Reply #28 on: October 07, 2009, 11:43:26 PM
damn, its been a couple of days since i listened to this podcast and i still have that creepy doll song stuck in my head...

I guess we should take  listener warning advisories in the intros a little more seriously from now on. I know I will.   ;D



kibitzer

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Reply #29 on: October 08, 2009, 07:54:13 AM
It must be my nationality or general ornery-ness or something -- I don't like the comic book goddess's readings. Every line sounds sarcastic to me. But then, I didn't like Larry's reading that everyone raved about, and... sorry folks, sacrilege I know... I'm no particular fan of Steve's readings either. Too clinical.

Remember, this is just my opinion and it's clearly out of step with the majority of the listeners. So readers, don't take it amiss. On the whole, I still think you're awesome for actually getting out there and reading to the big bad internet.

Oh yeah, the story. Ummm. Odd. Didn't hate it -- too jaded. Also didn't love it.


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Reply #30 on: October 10, 2009, 01:18:29 AM
I guess I'm strange, but I loved this episode.  Not neccissarily the sex portion, but the way it was written.  The present, past, present style.  The way many people think, you're in the present, but always thinking about something that the present reminds you of.  I've listen to this episode 5 o 6 times in the last couple of days.  Besides Kim's voice does this story good.  I'm looking forward to reading or listening to something else by Catlin Kiernan



Talia

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Reply #31 on: October 10, 2009, 04:10:49 AM
The more criticisms I read of the story the more I realized there was plenty I did like about it. :) Add me to the list to be surprised the owner was a woman.

it was an interesting setup. I suspect there's more here than I gathered at a first listen and it may be worth listening to again.

Didn't care for the ending, I'm afraid. Left me kinda, "huh?" but overall, an interesting one. The bizzare sexual relationship between owner and.. sentient realdoll, or whatever.. was disturbing and fascinating.

Kibitzer: who's readings DO you like? :) (not sarcasm! Honest query. Everyone has different tastes and stuff. :).



cercle

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Reply #32 on: October 10, 2009, 03:04:42 PM
Is EP losing it ? After last week's really afwul story, this one was even worse.  I got the impression this was so personal that it should never have been published.  Why does Steve have to explain who Katan Amano is ? The story itself should explain ! The only good thing about this one was that it was over.



Talia

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Reply #33 on: October 10, 2009, 03:39:24 PM
Is EP losing it ? After last week's really afwul story, this one was even worse.  I got the impression this was so personal that it should never have been published.  Why does Steve have to explain who Katan Amano is ? The story itself should explain ! The only good thing about this one was that it was over.

Everyone has different tastes. Just because there are two you don't like in a row doesn't mean EP is "losing it." It just means there were two you didn't like in a row.

And I rather liked 'The Kindness of Strangers' myself. I am sorry you were discontent, but it happens sometimes. You really can't please everyone.




MacArthurBug

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Reply #34 on: October 12, 2009, 11:19:48 AM
Is EP losing it ? After last week's really afwul story, this one was even worse.  I got the impression this was so personal that it should never have been published.  Why does Steve have to explain who Katan Amano is ? The story itself should explain ! The only good thing about this one was that it was over.

Let me second Talia on this. There are some stories that don't "do it" for me. Usually they're well balenced by ones that do.

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Reply #35 on: October 12, 2009, 06:53:57 PM
I think this is one of those stories that has laser-beam focus.  Its intended to strike that small niche of fans, and I imagine it does that quite well, and has a deep impact on them.  Unfortunately, I am not one of those fans, and the story seemed lost on me.  Some of it seemed forced, and partially seemed to me like it was just written to get a reaction from the readers/listeners. 3/10

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Cerebrilith

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Reply #36 on: October 13, 2009, 02:53:47 PM
I found this story to be very affecting.  This artificial person, created to have feelings, has to reach out to someone even less human then herself in order to get her emotional needs met because the actual human she is forced to be with is so emotionally damaged.  It felt sadly beautiful to me.



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Reply #37 on: October 13, 2009, 07:49:38 PM
Glad to hear Steve back if even for a brief appearance.  And I enjoyed The Comic Book Goddess's  reading, but she could not rescue this POS.   The story just didn't give a payoff.  It promised something would happen with Sanctuary at the end, and didn't give us anything, but a quick feel up her dress.

On the name Sanctuary did anybody else expect to see the sexbot look down at her hand and see a crystal that has turned black, and start running?



Anarkey

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Reply #38 on: October 13, 2009, 11:17:25 PM
Yay, Caitlín R. Kiernan.  Yay!  Love, love, love her and what a pleasant surprise to get her on EP instead of PP, where I would have expected her.  And even though I dislike stories about dolls on general principle, if a story about dolls was going to work for me, this is about the only way it would, reflected and refracted and recursive -- homage to PKD (and BladeRunner, I presume) with questions of identity and personhood woven into its heart.

And oh, the pretty, pretty, pretty prose.  I'd give my eyeteeth to write as prettily and simultaneously as creepily as CRK.  Poe's unity of effect flaunted like it's easy, like any idiot could do it.  And damn, it's not, and most idiots can't.   I find it breathtaking.  I'd say I was surprised there aren't more stylists among EP's listeners to appreciate her elegant technique, but actually I'd be lying because no...not all that surprised.  Everyone comes to the story well looking for a different drink, and I can't really blame people for not wanting what I want in a story.  Still, it does make one a little sad when something of deep, affecting beauty is disdained by others. 

My favorite readily available story by Caitlín R. Kiernan is "In the Dreamtime of Lady Resurrection".  I highly recommend it to anyone who was put off by the X rating in this story but is still curious about her as well as to anyone who just would like to read something else by her relatively immediately. 

There's also the Ape story which won something at Clarkesworld but does nothing for me because it's about movies and everyone knows how I feel about movies  (see also "Impossible Dreams") and even the alternate universes and the funky time stuff and the gorgeous writing didn't save it for me.  But it could work for you.  Especially if you like movies.

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Gamercow

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Reply #39 on: October 15, 2009, 06:04:17 PM
Yay, Caitlín R. Kiernan. 

My favorite readily available story by Caitlín R. Kiernan is "In the Dreamtime of Lady Resurrection".  I highly recommend it to anyone who was put off by the X rating in this story but is still curious about her as well as to anyone who just would like to read something else by her relatively immediately. 

Thank you for pointing me to this other story.  It confirms that CRK is not the author for me.  There's something about her writing for me that is offputting and irritating, and just rubs me the wrong way.  Just not my style, I suppose.   :-\

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Anarkey

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Reply #40 on: October 16, 2009, 01:07:40 PM
Thank you for pointing me to this other story.  It confirms that CRK is not the author for me.  There's something about her writing for me that is offputting and irritating, and just rubs me the wrong way.  Just not my style, I suppose.   :-\

She may well be a writer's writer, or at least, a geeky English major's writer.  She's stylistically accomplished and there's lots and lots there for people interested in genre as "stories in close conversation with one another" (Bujold's def, not mine), but perhaps the accusations on this thread of a certain lack of action have some merit (but would not, actually, have the same merit as a critique of her novels, where plenty of stuff happens).  Hal Duncan goes the same direction, and he's certainly not for everybody. If stories are all about where you're going, and not so much about the ride and the conveyance, you'd be understandably frustrated with CRK, especially in short form.  That's why I referenced Poe (though one could also talk Lovecraft here).  She draws from that long tradition of story as atmosphere, and she executes it expertly and modernly, which is the piece you can't get if you go back to Poe and Lovecraft. 

Everyone's tastes are different, but I appreciate anyone who will try an author more than once to be sure.  :)  There are many highly acclaimed authors who do nothing for me, though I'm always like "Ok, maybe this story is the one that will speak to me, the one where I'll get it."  It's also, in my mind, the beauty of the short story, as a form.  It allows elasticity and experimentation for both authors and listeners/readers,  without the time commitment of a novel.   I like it as a way of sampling authors, which is why - though I get excited when the 'casts run authors I know and love - I also like it, and maybe even like it better, when they introduce me to someone I didn't know about.  I came to Greg Van Eekhout through Escape Pod, for example, and M K Hobson through Podcastle, and I love them both.

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natashafairweather

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Reply #41 on: October 16, 2009, 09:18:22 PM
I found the story just so-so, although I do always enjoy Comic-book goddess' reading.  I was really surprised by the poor taste of the end quote, though. How condescending! Great song to end it all off, though.




umbrellapod

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Reply #42 on: October 16, 2009, 10:10:26 PM
I think I'm among the minority on this forum, but I really liked the story.  It is creepy, gross and very uncomfortable to listen to, but it made me think. 



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Reply #43 on: October 19, 2009, 02:57:22 PM
That's why I referenced Poe (though one could also talk Lovecraft here).  She draws from that long tradition of story as atmosphere, and she executes it expertly and modernly, which is the piece you can't get if you go back to Poe and Lovecraft. 
Ah, so that's what I'm digging on this one.  See, this is why you always need an English major handy. 
I really loved this one, though I guess I'm late to the party.  The writing was scrumptious, and the sexual violence was handled perfectly, and that's really tough to do for me.  Reading was great, of course.



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Reply #44 on: October 20, 2009, 01:09:14 AM
I just listened to the story, bracing myself for what was described as being so perverted, disturbing and horrific.  Instead I received a beautifully well crafted tale of an android rising above her upbringing and not falling prey to the same destructive urges of her master.  While her life was horrific, the tale itself wasn't smashing my "horrific and disturbing" buttons quite as well as it seems it did other forumites,   It was well written and beautiful prose read by an excellent narrator and I appreciate it.

Thank you Steve in specific for introducing and analyzing this piece.

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Reply #45 on: October 21, 2009, 10:12:00 PM
This was a difficult one for me. I thought the writing was great. And the story itself was extremely well-crafted and subtle. And it was totally, totally, wrong for an audio format. This is a story that needs to be read, not heard. There are many advantages to an audio story, but the format has its price - it doesn't allow the listener to take their own pace through the words, and enjoy for themselves. This story needed that. I kept having to pause it and think, which was extra difficult because I was listening while cooking. My iPod ended up rather greasy.

This isn't to disparage the reading, by the way - I thought the narrator did a commendable job. And I am thankful to EP for exposing me to this story. And I will seek out the anthology in which it was published. But I don't think the podcast did the story justice, even through it was clear everyone involved did their best.



Listener

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Reply #46 on: October 22, 2009, 09:01:23 PM
Kim's readings are usually quite good. This one was.

I think the story tried to do too much in too small a space. I'd rather the story have been about the MC after she kills her mistress and then goes to the doll to do the thing that was the main part of the story. The feeling up of the doll was quite creepy and disturbing, and because I didn't know about Katan Amano and because this was a SF story I fully expected Sanctuary to be a robot/doll similar to the MC.

I don't understand why there needed to be the sex parts. Telling the MC to remove her face was plenty disturbing enough without her mistress also having sex with her in that state.

I love writing about sex, and as Nobilis says in the promo for his writing podcast (the name temporarily escapes me), "when I start writing about people they start having sex". I write erotica (not professionally... yet). I write stories about sex and relationships. But sometimes you can tell more by NOT showing what happened than by showing everything, and I think this story could've been sufficiently creepy and disturbing and still gotten its point across without the sex.

So, not one of my favorites.

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DarkKnightJRK

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Reply #47 on: October 25, 2009, 07:02:17 PM
I liked this story--very well-crafted and moody. The "you" parts threw me off at first, but after a while I kind-of imagined it as the doll saying this to her owner, what she would say to her if she would ever listen to her as anything other then a talking sex toy. Kim's reading was also exquisite.



wakela

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Reply #48 on: November 02, 2009, 04:06:17 AM
Liked it. 
It left me with a lot to chew on.  Robots are the mother of all unreliable narrators.  For all we know she was programmed to feel violated and enslaved to satisfy the owner's fetish.  It seems the owner could have bought a robot who shared the same quirks if she had wanted.  It's possible the owner is a loving, decent partner to a human and pervs out on the robot the same way someone would beat up a blow up doll.  Of course there is not much in the story to support this, but when you tell a story from the robot's POV all bets are off. 

At the end the robot merely strokes the face of Sanctuary, while the human owner uses the robot's face for mockery.  The latter feels more disturbing than the former, but robot committed a violation, too.  She broke the law to access the sculpture without permission.  She didn't do any harm, but I wouldn't want her coming into my house and touching my things while I was away.  The robot violates a human being, the artist, while the robot's owner violates a thing, a possession.  And the writer gets us to think the first is beautiful and the second ugly. 

Maybe I'm reading to much into it, but the author lets me.  In Mike Resnik's stories the main human character decides at some point that the robot is a person, and the reader is expected to follow along.  But in this story no one makes such a decision, and it's left to us. 

By the way, a Google image search on "Katan Amano" is a gallery of EP forum member icons.  Win!



Bdoomed

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Reply #49 on: November 02, 2009, 04:55:23 AM
By the way, a Google image search on "Katan Amano" is a gallery of EP forum member icons.  Win!
ha it's true! win!

I'd like to hear my options, so I could weigh them, what do you say?
Five pounds?  Six pounds? Seven pounds?