Fantastist Catherynne M. Valente takes on the folklore of artificial intelligence in this brand new, original novella of technology, identify, and ...
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Nov 02, 2011
Joe
rated it: 
Cat Valente writes fairy tales, and her foray into science fiction, Silently and Very Fast, is no different (except when it is). It is not a retelling of an existing fairy tale in a semi-modern context, like Deathless (except when it is). Nor is it an original fairy tale of childhood discovery, like The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making (except when it is).
Instead (in addition), it is an interweaving. It is a story of stories. A labyrinthine matryoshka of More...
Instead (in addition), it is an interweaving. It is a story of stories. A labyrinthine matryoshka of More...
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Dec 01, 2011
Oliver
rated it:
The best kind of science fiction. The narrative has a dense crystalline structure, much like the narrator.
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Dec 02, 2011
Melani
rated it:
Beautiful science fiction about creation and souls and what it means to be alive and creative. An AI program who is self-concious and aware gestates in the minds/souls of generations of families. Because when you are creating something new, starting a new culture it takes a long time and what better place to gestate the child of humanity then in the heart and soul of a person? Of course, there are consequences, as life evolves from machines in more then on place. It is a haunting story, told
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Feb 21, 2012
Adam
rated it:
Simply exquisite, like everything else of Catherynne Valente's I've ever read. This blending of science fiction and myth is simply stunning and the deeply human core of it all--that we are composed of those who've come before--resonates with the desire deep within to be and become who we truly are.
Stories, like Catherynne's telling of Elefsis's and Neva's, communicate our experience of ourselves and our world, expressing who we believe ourselves to be while shining light on who we tru
Stories, like Catherynne's telling of Elefsis's and Neva's, communicate our experience of ourselves and our world, expressing who we believe ourselves to be while shining light on who we tru
Jan 11, 2012
Christin
rated it:
An absolutely amazing and gorgeously written work. Told from the perspective of an AI as it comes into itself as a being, this book explores what it means to dream, to feel, to just be. Elefsis describes herself and her world through the use of the dreamscape, metaphors and stories. She is the other and yet wholly herself. Just an incredibly stunning book that sticks with the reader long after the last page is turned.
Jan 27, 2012
Sonatajessica
rated it: 
A Science-Fiction fairy tale. Pictures of metaphors; artificial intelligence and dreams.
Honestly, I don't think I understood everything that is said in here but I did get enough to appreciate a lot having read it. I loved how Valente webbed re-tellings of fairy tales into the story, a story for me about questions of humanity, responsibilities and limitations, all perfectly embedded in dreamlands. It is one of those that makes you sit down and think for a while after you have finished.
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Honestly, I don't think I understood everything that is said in here but I did get enough to appreciate a lot having read it. I loved how Valente webbed re-tellings of fairy tales into the story, a story for me about questions of humanity, responsibilities and limitations, all perfectly embedded in dreamlands. It is one of those that makes you sit down and think for a while after you have finished.
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Dec 05, 2011
Joell
rated it:
This is being serialized on the Clarks World Magazine web site. I'm loving it so far.
The last third of the book has been posted on Clarksworld, and it was a fantastic ending. This is a great example of how science fiction can still be beautiful and fantastic and graceful.
The last third of the book has been posted on Clarksworld, and it was a fantastic ending. This is a great example of how science fiction can still be beautiful and fantastic and graceful.
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Nov 05, 2011
monkeyelf
rated it:
Intense, beautiful, complicated. I think I need to reread this one about three more times before I can articulate my feelings about it (I am having SO MANY) but it's incredible and you should read it
Nov 03, 2011
Sarah
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This story is *intense*. It's lush and complex and not meant for skimming - I still feel like I'm wrapping my head around it. But it's also gorgeous, both in language and in imagery.
Oct 31, 2011
Elizabeth
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Such a strange, delightful sf story, lush and rich - classic Valente. I devoured this novella like a whole sea of honey.
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Nov 10, 2011
Anie
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So beautiful! CMV moves into sci-fi this time, and it is gorgeous: Moving, thoughtful, a real exploration of concept and possibility.
Dec 18, 2011
Tudor
rated it:
Wonderful poetic novella about the rise of an artificial consciousness.
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