Beyond Reality discussion

Somehow it's already May, and we are down to our last 2 Nebula-nominated stories. Please feel free to read and jump in anytime. Also: The threads for all previous stories are still open, so feel free to go back and read and discuss if you haven't already!

This thread will host discussion of "Conditional Love" by Felicity Shoulders. The story was made available by the author and was originally published in Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine 1/10. It is also available in alternate formats: Escape Pod podcast / ePub / PDF

I liked this story. It made me think of Joanna Russ stories I read back in the seventies, something about the flavor of it -- feminist, but not overtly so. And fantastical, but not hit-you-over-the-head rainbow glitter. That's nice and kind of comfortable, which is good for an uncomfortable subject matter. Maybe the point is that this subject matter -- the way we as a society and individuals treat challenged people -- should not be uncomfortable.

Wow. Now that was a surprise ending. This was a very powerful, poignant story...simply excellent.

I'm always made uncomfortable by stories involving designer genetics, as it pushes various of my empathy buttons. This story painted successive layers of moral issues and emotional twisting atop that already difficult issue.

Also: I want to know what happens to Minerva! I know that as far as characters go, (as opposed to central issues) I'm (probably) supposed to be most fixed on "Daniel" and/or Dr. Grace, but Minerva is the character who really stood out for me and made me curious.

Fantastic. Thank you for posting it. Of all the stories posted, I liked this one the best, by far. It had everything; moral issues, plenty of tension, & a wonderful ending. It's also the perfect SF story because it does what SF should do - points out future problems. I fell into this future world so easily & can see just such issues happening.

The lack of specifics & the guesses of the staff about the possibilities regarding the case were masterfully done. It allowed my imagination to roam through many possibilities, my own personal horrors to be considered without the author beating me over the head with hers. I also liked that not everything was resolved, which made it seem more real for me - life usually isn't tidy enough to wrap everything up with a nice bow.

OK, I liked everything about the story.
;-)

I think this was my favorite as well. The characters were the most well developed and the science was well used. Like the best SF, it explored contemporary issues through the veil of the future.

Loved this one as well. I agree with Candiss that I wanted to know what happened to Minerva - poor kid! I was definitely surprised by the ending. It was horrible and yet at the same time just made so much sense.

I had to go back and reread the last conversation with Minerva; I'm guessing they put her in a secure room and maybe took away her computer so they could finish "fixing" her. It does leave a lot to the imagination.I'm also hoping blindness really does "cure" Daniel...

Just struck me...couldn't she have tried a blindfold or turning off the lights before resorting to this fix?