Short Story Review and Three-Question Interview: Twelvers by Leah Cypess

If you've ever read "The Happiest Baby on the Block," then you've probably heard of the first three months of a baby's life being referred to as "the missing fourth trimester." Some theorize that with greater intelligence and greater head size, our babies come out a little too early, compared to other animals whose babies are far more able to adapt at birth.

So what if artificial wombs allowed unborn babies to remain in-utero for an extra three months? Would they come out stronger, able to sleep through the night? And would there be consequences?

This creative science fiction tale by Leah Cypess explores that possibility, from the perspective of just such a child — growing up and dealing with middle-school bullying. "Twelver" is an insult, but Darla isn't even sure how to deny it, when her reactions to their provocations prove she is what they say.

Being a bit of a naturalist myself, I found it hard to think about a potential future in which babies are grown artificially. (And I suppose fed that way, too…alas, I loved nursing!) Although, having had terrible migraines through both of my pregnancies, I could see the appeal.

Either way, it was fun and imaginative. Darla was an intriguing character, and I certainly recommend this story to science fiction fans!

Leah Cypess used to be a practicing attorney in New York and is now a full-time writer in Boston. She much prefers her current situation. She wrote her first story when she was six years old (the main character was an ice cream cone), and went on to publish two young adult fantasy novels, Mistwood and Nightspell (the main characters are, respectively, a shapeshifter and a barbarian princess).

Three-Question Interview:

A few pieces of this story had me thinking about "The Happiest Baby on the Block" (as I mentioned in my review). So I have to ask…have you read it,and if so, did it inspire this story in any way?

I both read the book and watched the DVD (along with pretty much every

baby book/DVD in existence) when my oldest daughter was born. Before

writing this story, I read some more technical medical books on child

development, but I'm pretty sure "The Happiest Baby on the Block" is

where I originally heard of the "fourth trimester" concept.

Would you grow a baby in an artificial womb, if you could?

The genesis of this story was my intense longing for such an invention

while I was in my first trimester of pregnancy! So a part of me would

like to say yes. Then again, I also breastfeed despite the

availability of formula; and I suspect that even if there was such a

thing as an artificial womb, it would turn out to be less healthy for

the baby than doing it the old-fashioned way. Then again, I have

pretty debilitating pregnancies. So I think the only answer I can give

at the moment is that… I would be very conflicted.

What are you working on now? (And when do I get to read it!?)

At this precise moment, I'm working on a short story for an anthology

invite; but that's my only current deadline, so I'm also flipping

between various book projects, working on whichever one strikes my

fancy on any given day. (This is my preferred method of working, so

I'm having a lot of fun.) I'm hoping to finish a first draft of one of

the books in a few months, and you will definitely get to read it

then!

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