“Stupid Perfect World” by Scott Westerfeld . [short-story, sci-fi] - [N7,5]
19.10.2011
This is another example of the best of Westerfeld. The premise is simply brilliant, although I was disappointed with where he took it. Of course, I felt there was enough material for another Uglies and this is a short story. This “Love is Hell” anthology is rocking hard, I have one story to go and I can already say I’d like to own a copy.
It takes place in a future world where most of ailments have been eliminated, in “Scarcity” class, though, students are taught how things used to be. Literally, since they are asked to choose ailments to experience. Kieran totally forgot to choose his, so he goes for “sleep” since someone in the Shakespeare play he’s working on mentioned death not being too bad by comparing it to slumber. Maria, much better prepared, chooses to deprive herself of hormonal regulators and experience old-fashioned teenagehood. Her experience is a bit melodramatic but belieavaible for someone whose hormones have been balanced out by chemicals her whole life. I find it interesting how very uninfluencial Westerfeld parents are on their children’s lives.
Author: scott westerfeld, *author: male, +adventures, +romance, science-fiction, 2011, book-2011, 2011: short-story in English, @read in English, x: recommended, #cuento/short-story