“Where We Live” by Daniel J. Pinney
Filed Under: Recommended Media, Short Story
Strange Horizons Fiction: Where We Live, by Daniel J. Pinney
Grim, grim, grim–as I’ve come to expect from Strange Horizons lately. A future without hope, and yet, the characters themselves continue to exist. This story is full of telling details. I didn’t have to read the author’s bio to know that he had lived in the Middle East. Every descriptive line speaks with authority.
The character’s life unfolds slowly, in a nonlinear fashion, moving back and forth through time. The protagonist moves through life, ever forward, never hesitating, never despairing, despite the apparent end of the world around him.
The ending–I have to mention the ending–fucking perfect. Absolutely god damned perfect. The scene before it, even more so. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who might read it, and if you read this, go read it.
It builds slow, sets the stage, fleshes it out, piece at a time. It’s horrific, and beautiful. And hopeful. Did I say that?
More, more of this, please. Daniel J. Pinney is going on my “to watch” list, you can bet on that.
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