Sci-fi and Heroic Fantasy discussion

This is our discussion of the story:


Slow Music by James Tiptree Jr.

This story is part of the group discussion of James Tiptree Jr.'s short story collection Her Smoke Rose Up Forever. (See the discussion hub topic for more info.)

★★★★

The last woman and the last man want to "stay on this Earth and do human things," while all others have been uploaded by a mysterious "River" which grants eternal life among the stars. They fail.

Review

Tiptree's last great story offers the choice between having a life full of sex and suffering, or escape to a sexless, disembodied life. Staying on Earth seems to be the braver choice. The novella cites lots of Keats and Yeats, resembling the mood of the story.

I liked the story very much with its bittersweet character.

I would give this story five stars if I knew how :-)
Excellent story. Ending with such a strong feeling of desperation and sadness.