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Great Cities #0.5
The City Born Great
In this standalone short story by N. K. Jemisin, author of The Fifth Season, the winner of this year's Hugo Award for Best Novel, New York City is about to go through a few changes.
Like all great metropolises before it, when a city gets big enough, old enough, it must be born; but there are ancient enemies who cannot tolerate new life. Thus New York will live or die by the efforts of a reluctant midwife...and how well he can learn to sing the city's mighty song.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Like all great metropolises before it, when a city gets big enough, old enough, it must be born; but there are ancient enemies who cannot tolerate new life. Thus New York will live or die by the efforts of a reluctant midwife...and how well he can learn to sing the city's mighty song.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
22 pages, ebook
First published September 28, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 628 reviews
July 15, 2017
“Each city must emerge on its own or die trying.”
This story made me realize something about speculative fiction.
The tale started and went on, and, for the first few pages, there were no fantasy or science fiction elements in sight. But I was already into the story, I was attached to the characters, I cared what would happen. And this is one of the elements that make a great fantasy story – the characters and the writing need to already be good and to be able to stand on their own. The supernatural points are there to enhance the work, but the book shouldn’t rely on great fantasy or sci fi ideas to make it work – if the characters are weak to start with, it won’t work nonetheless.
And then the fantasy elements appeared and this story became even greater...
April 18, 2017
2.5 stars. One of the 2017 Hugo nominees, in the short story category. This story is free online here at Tor.com. Final review, first posted on Fantasy Literature:
I was delighted to see a new online fantasy short story on Tor.com by the talented N.K. Jemisin. Unfortunately, this one wasn’t to my taste, but I think it’s likely to appeal to many readers.
New York City is in the process of being literally “born,” as all great cities must be when they get sufficiently old and large. A person is magically chosen by the city as its midwife, to sing and help it through the birthing process. The narrator, a homeless, gay African American, is mysteriously chosen for this process. He’s resistant to the idea, but as the song and pulse and birth pangs of the city become more compellingly real to him, he starts to get serious about what’s happening ― especially when he begins seeing terrifying enemies closing in, who are trying to kill both him and the city.
I thought the concept was a little thin, but Jemisin explores it well, and the narrator’s rough life on the edges of society feels very real. “The City Born Great” does include a very hefty dose of social justice issues: not only is a minority the hero, but police are the evil villains out to choke the life of the city. The message is not subtle. The story is also liberally sprinkled with more F-bombs than I could count, which tends to be a turn-off for me personally, but it does fit the world Jemisin has created. The story does pack a punch, and the form the villains take on as they relentlessly pursue the narrator is both imaginative and chilling.
I was delighted to see a new online fantasy short story on Tor.com by the talented N.K. Jemisin. Unfortunately, this one wasn’t to my taste, but I think it’s likely to appeal to many readers.
New York City is in the process of being literally “born,” as all great cities must be when they get sufficiently old and large. A person is magically chosen by the city as its midwife, to sing and help it through the birthing process. The narrator, a homeless, gay African American, is mysteriously chosen for this process. He’s resistant to the idea, but as the song and pulse and birth pangs of the city become more compellingly real to him, he starts to get serious about what’s happening ― especially when he begins seeing terrifying enemies closing in, who are trying to kill both him and the city.
I thought the concept was a little thin, but Jemisin explores it well, and the narrator’s rough life on the edges of society feels very real. “The City Born Great” does include a very hefty dose of social justice issues: not only is a minority the hero, but police are the evil villains out to choke the life of the city. The message is not subtle. The story is also liberally sprinkled with more F-bombs than I could count, which tends to be a turn-off for me personally, but it does fit the world Jemisin has created. The story does pack a punch, and the form the villains take on as they relentlessly pursue the narrator is both imaginative and chilling.
March 3, 2023
What?
Well…this is something that I don’t understand. I don’t know what it is about. It’s something about New York City.
The narrator is afraid of his life in the City. It appears that he is afraid of everything. He is definitely afraid of something. His friend Paulo is telling him things about the City and other cities. Just to say as he listens to Paulo, he has a delusional experience.
Thanks for stopping by.
Three stars. 💫💫💫
Well…this is something that I don’t understand. I don’t know what it is about. It’s something about New York City.
The narrator is afraid of his life in the City. It appears that he is afraid of everything. He is definitely afraid of something. His friend Paulo is telling him things about the City and other cities. Just to say as he listens to Paulo, he has a delusional experience.
Thanks for stopping by.
Three stars. 💫💫💫
March 3, 2021
I am planning to read The City We Became soon and I discovered this prequel which can be read for free here
Jemisin has an amazing imagination and is a talented writer and she brings both skills to this story. She presents the city of New York as a living, breathing entity which reminded me of another book I love, A Madness of Angels. In that one Kate Griffin treats London in a similar way.
If this short story is anything to go by then I cannot wait to read the first book!
Jemisin has an amazing imagination and is a talented writer and she brings both skills to this story. She presents the city of New York as a living, breathing entity which reminded me of another book I love, A Madness of Angels. In that one Kate Griffin treats London in a similar way.
If this short story is anything to go by then I cannot wait to read the first book!
March 17, 2017
One of my Hugo nominees, short story, 2016.
____
It's the third time this has happened: I heard the author read this at a public event, and for a few minutes couldn't figure out why it sounded so awfully familiar upon reading it, when I *knew* it was a just-published story.
It's a wonderful story. It draws upon a rich literary concept: that of the city as an entity with its own unique personality and *being*. And cities here - those with a rich, living culture and deep history, are literally embodied through 'avatars.'
Here, New York City is about to be 'born' - but there will be a few quirks and growing pains, not to mention just plain weird occurrences, for the kid who is New York to realize what's happening.
The language of this piece is amazingly strong and truly captures the spirit of my city. I'd challenge any New Yorker not to love it.
____
It's the third time this has happened: I heard the author read this at a public event, and for a few minutes couldn't figure out why it sounded so awfully familiar upon reading it, when I *knew* it was a just-published story.
It's a wonderful story. It draws upon a rich literary concept: that of the city as an entity with its own unique personality and *being*. And cities here - those with a rich, living culture and deep history, are literally embodied through 'avatars.'
Here, New York City is about to be 'born' - but there will be a few quirks and growing pains, not to mention just plain weird occurrences, for the kid who is New York to realize what's happening.
The language of this piece is amazingly strong and truly captures the spirit of my city. I'd challenge any New Yorker not to love it.
April 27, 2017
This '17 nom for the Hugos started out in a way that made me worry, just a bit, that it might not have the right SF or F twist to it that I was hoping for, appearing more like a love/hate letter to NYC, but, indeed, I should never worry.
This is Jemisin, after all.
It quickly became something reminiscent of pieces of Railsea with the tagging and the birth-pains of a city as it comes alive, gets consciousness, rises up with soul. What's more, it really does rise up with eldritch horrors and deep confidences, becoming a wild ride of fantasy and pure NYC flair... that is, if you're interested in being one of the hungry in the city and the flare is the spotlight of a cop car's spotlight. :)
I like the wild rides. I always have. And this story fits that fantastic bill. I'll even forgive it for hopping across the continent to give the angels a shot, too. :)
This is a worthy story, I think! :)
This is Jemisin, after all.
It quickly became something reminiscent of pieces of Railsea with the tagging and the birth-pains of a city as it comes alive, gets consciousness, rises up with soul. What's more, it really does rise up with eldritch horrors and deep confidences, becoming a wild ride of fantasy and pure NYC flair... that is, if you're interested in being one of the hungry in the city and the flare is the spotlight of a cop car's spotlight. :)
I like the wild rides. I always have. And this story fits that fantastic bill. I'll even forgive it for hopping across the continent to give the angels a shot, too. :)
This is a worthy story, I think! :)
October 1, 2016
I’ll starve to death someday, or freeze some winter night, or catch something that rots me away until the hospitals have to take me, even without money or an address. But I’ll sing and paint and dance and fuck and cry the city before I’m done, because it’s mine. It’s fucking mine. That’s why.
review to come
read it for yourself here:
http://www.tor.com/2016/09/28/the-cit...
October 4, 2016
I loved this one! Which makes me really excited about reading The Fifth Season next. By the way, any of you can read it for free here.
I think Jemisin did a really good job fleshing out the story in such short form. Beautiful writing as well. And I would like to see this elaborated into something bigger. Somehow, it felt like fantasy with horror elements - reminds me of Stephen King a little bit. So much promise in such a short piece of fiction!
If you're reading this review, well - ditch this and just go read the story itself. It won't take you more than 20 minutes and it's not only very colourful, it also addresses many relevant issues. Personally, I think it's a really good way to react to the whole 'cops shooting black kids with books' thing. But don't think it's about that - that's merely the spice of it.
Also, if you're still reading this and not opening the story (like I told you to) - well, I apologize for my lack of dedication for this review. But, as it's a short story - a short review makes sense as well.
Have fun reading!
I think Jemisin did a really good job fleshing out the story in such short form. Beautiful writing as well. And I would like to see this elaborated into something bigger. Somehow, it felt like fantasy with horror elements - reminds me of Stephen King a little bit. So much promise in such a short piece of fiction!
If you're reading this review, well - ditch this and just go read the story itself. It won't take you more than 20 minutes and it's not only very colourful, it also addresses many relevant issues. Personally, I think it's a really good way to react to the whole 'cops shooting black kids with books' thing. But don't think it's about that - that's merely the spice of it.
Also, if you're still reading this and not opening the story (like I told you to) - well, I apologize for my lack of dedication for this review. But, as it's a short story - a short review makes sense as well.
Have fun reading!
January 12, 2022
This starts off super confusing. There are a lot of new concepts to grasp and only some are truly explained. By the end I had more questions than answers. This was written in a teaser fashion and as such it lacks a satisfying ending. At least it wasn't a cliffhanger ending. As a standalone story it is fairly weak, but it's unique enough to spark the reader to want to explore more of this foreign world. The amount of profanities rival that of Pulp Fiction and I for one am digging it so far. Onto the novel...
July 3, 2021
Great cities are like any other living things, being born and maturing and wearying and dying in their turn.
In this story we witness the birth of New York City, with the narrator, a homeless, gay African American chosen as its midwife, and to protect it from its enemies who cannot tolerate new life. Reluctant at first, he is going to find the strength, and the belief.
“Ain’t about being alive.” I’ll starve to death someday, or freeze some winter night, or catch something that rots me away until the hospitals have to take me, even without money or an address. But I’ll sing and paint and dance and fuck and cry the city before I’m done, because it’s mine. It’s fucking mine. That’s why.
“It’s about living”
The writing was occasionally a little too cryptic for my liking. But the city really comes alive. And the narrative voice has this kind of urgency to it. In its power and confidence it reminded me a little of Maya Angelou’s poetry.
Be prepared for some profanity, though.
And just to add insult to injury? I backhand its ass with Hoboken, raining the drunk rage of ten thousand dudebros down on it like the hammer of God. Port Authority makes it honorary New York, motherfucker; you just got Jerseyed.
Heh.
3.5 stars. But I think I’m going to give it another go after I’ve read the novel.*
Can be found here: https://www.tor.com/2016/09/28/the-ci...
*One hour later: Or maybe not. Turns out the prologue of my copy at least (of The City We Became) is identical to the first 90% or so of this short story. So technically I've read it twice now. And I think I'm fine with my rating. Even though it was obviously easier to grasp all of its urban-fantasyness on this second read.
May 30, 2020
2020-05: My library just added this story to their collection, and because I enjoyed it so much some years ago, I decided to reread it. And I enjoyed it all over again for a) its main character and b) how cities have protectors who are not necessarily part of the usual political structures and judicial systems.
The main character practically leapt off the page. He lives by his wits, HAS to paint, and as a homeless person of colour has a different relationship to his surroundings and traditional city infrastructure and systems than your typical fantasy protagonist. This upending of the expected was fantastic, and the literally alive city is a terrifically executed concept.
2016-12: #5 in personal short story challenge.
Loved the voice of the main character; I could feel what he was feeling, see what he was seeing.
The idea, too, of a city birthing, living and dying, and having protectors was great.
I love this author's style of writing in this short story.
The main character practically leapt off the page. He lives by his wits, HAS to paint, and as a homeless person of colour has a different relationship to his surroundings and traditional city infrastructure and systems than your typical fantasy protagonist. This upending of the expected was fantastic, and the literally alive city is a terrifically executed concept.
2016-12: #5 in personal short story challenge.
Loved the voice of the main character; I could feel what he was feeling, see what he was seeing.
The idea, too, of a city birthing, living and dying, and having protectors was great.
I love this author's style of writing in this short story.
June 25, 2017
Didn't work for me.
An inconected start , pretty meh, gets better to the end, but leaves many things hanging.
Who is the 'Enemy', anyway?
Tendria que entrar a pensar yo en la busqueda de un significado a esta historia y entrar a especular que un jovenzuelo que vive en la calle y se vende para vivir representa a los anónimos que conforman la parte viva de una ciudad ... o algo asi. Pero esa es solo cosa mia.
I rather prefer in matters of magical alive cities Kate Griffin in A Madness of Angels Where the language is more appealing. At least for me.
An inconected start , pretty meh, gets better to the end, but leaves many things hanging.
Who is the 'Enemy', anyway?
Tendria que entrar a pensar yo en la busqueda de un significado a esta historia y entrar a especular que un jovenzuelo que vive en la calle y se vende para vivir representa a los anónimos que conforman la parte viva de una ciudad ... o algo asi. Pero esa es solo cosa mia.
I rather prefer in matters of magical alive cities Kate Griffin in A Madness of Angels Where the language is more appealing. At least for me.
June 9, 2017
Included in my review of the 6 short story Hugo nominees: https://1000yearplan.com/2017/06/09/r...
In Jemisin’s short fantasy adventure, cities that have grown old and large enough get to live, if the chosen midwife succeeds in birthing it. A homeless man is given this role for New York City, and he races to sing the city to life against an ancient enemy that wants to stop him.
This story is a little too compact for its grand premise, and maybe a bit heavy-handed at times, but is still a riveting read thanks to Jemisin’s stellar prose and rich imagination.
In Jemisin’s short fantasy adventure, cities that have grown old and large enough get to live, if the chosen midwife succeeds in birthing it. A homeless man is given this role for New York City, and he races to sing the city to life against an ancient enemy that wants to stop him.
This story is a little too compact for its grand premise, and maybe a bit heavy-handed at times, but is still a riveting read thanks to Jemisin’s stellar prose and rich imagination.
July 24, 2021
This is a prequel short story for The City We Became.
Urban fantasy is rarely a sub-genre I gravitate towards but the concept of a sentient city in Jemisin's The City We Became was too innovative and intriguing to pass up on reading. I was glad to have this short prequel to sample, with similar content, before beginning the full-length novel.
Narrator, Landon Woodson, seemed the perfect choice to voice this character's story and I loved the inflection and tone he used to bring him to life. The story begun by detailing the black, homeless protagonist's struggles and how the city later awoke for him. It was a fascinating, if brief, exploration of a fantastical concept.
I also highly appreciated that, despite this brief length and other-worldly main story-line, there were also real-world issues also touched upon. Most notably of these was the racism that the protagonist was subjected to. He was judged as an untrustworthy individual by police and tourists and harshly treated because of this. The city, even before it came to life, was painted in a brutal and harsh light where none of its flaws were hidden from the reader. Jemisin sought to awaken her audience to the rife social injustice even before a breath was ever exhaled by the city that housed it.
Urban fantasy is rarely a sub-genre I gravitate towards but the concept of a sentient city in Jemisin's The City We Became was too innovative and intriguing to pass up on reading. I was glad to have this short prequel to sample, with similar content, before beginning the full-length novel.
Narrator, Landon Woodson, seemed the perfect choice to voice this character's story and I loved the inflection and tone he used to bring him to life. The story begun by detailing the black, homeless protagonist's struggles and how the city later awoke for him. It was a fascinating, if brief, exploration of a fantastical concept.
I also highly appreciated that, despite this brief length and other-worldly main story-line, there were also real-world issues also touched upon. Most notably of these was the racism that the protagonist was subjected to. He was judged as an untrustworthy individual by police and tourists and harshly treated because of this. The city, even before it came to life, was painted in a brutal and harsh light where none of its flaws were hidden from the reader. Jemisin sought to awaken her audience to the rife social injustice even before a breath was ever exhaled by the city that housed it.
February 5, 2019
I would like to be able to provide you with a deeper review. Yet, I don’t want to delay getting this before you.
A Winner
This is a special story that, in a positive way, makes me think of some of what Italo Calvino was doing in his Invisible Cities.
Our un-named protagonist is an urban survivor: "I’m skinny, dark; that helps, too. All I want to do is paint, man, because it’s in me and I need to get it out."
The mission is simply stated: “This city will die,” he says. He doesn’t raise his voice, but he doesn’t have to. I’m paying attention, now. Food, living: These things have meaning to me. “If you do not learn the things I have to teach you. If you do not help."
We never learn much about this speaker or the protagonist. What we learn is that every city needs midwifery in order to really “live.” “Not all cities make it this far….You will embody a city of millions. You need not be them, but know that they are part of you.”
It is an urban fantasy adventure with repercussions! Let’s discuss what you think about it and how it makes you feel.
A Winner
This is a special story that, in a positive way, makes me think of some of what Italo Calvino was doing in his Invisible Cities.
Our un-named protagonist is an urban survivor: "I’m skinny, dark; that helps, too. All I want to do is paint, man, because it’s in me and I need to get it out."
The mission is simply stated: “This city will die,” he says. He doesn’t raise his voice, but he doesn’t have to. I’m paying attention, now. Food, living: These things have meaning to me. “If you do not learn the things I have to teach you. If you do not help."
We never learn much about this speaker or the protagonist. What we learn is that every city needs midwifery in order to really “live.” “Not all cities make it this far….You will embody a city of millions. You need not be them, but know that they are part of you.”
It is an urban fantasy adventure with repercussions! Let’s discuss what you think about it and how it makes you feel.
October 18, 2021
Really enjoyed this fast paced story of the living soul of a great city coming into being.
May 14, 2024
I recently finished reading "The City Born Great" by N.K. Jemisin and I have ambivalent feelings about it. On the one hand, I appreciated the poetic writing style, which was beautifully descriptive and immersive. However, I struggled with connecting the dots in the story. The narrative came from a delusional place, and I found it hard to grasp the storyline fully. While I enjoyed the writing style, it was a trial to engage with the plot entirely.
October 12, 2016
"And just to add insult to injury? I backhand its ass with Hoboken, raining the drunk rage of ten thousand dudebros down on it like the hammer of God. Port Authority makes it honorary New York, motherfucker; you just got Jerseyed."
Ha, the drunk rage of ten thousand dudebros. Four stars just for that.
Ha, the drunk rage of ten thousand dudebros. Four stars just for that.
December 26, 2024
Just ok.
January 3, 2021
Ugh, N.K. Jemisin is so good. I read The City We Became, the full-length novel based on this short story, last year and just now got around to reading this 2016 beginning to this series. This was JUST as good as the book, and was almost exactly the same as the first part of her novel. This short story, however, included an homage to the birth of Los Angelos 50 years after the birth of New York. I am obsessed with the concept of this story and can't wait to read more N. K. Jemisin.
November 16, 2017
i cant believe jemisin made me kinda ship new york and são paulo
April 4, 2017
An unnamed young man who devotes his days and nights to singing, painting, and surviving in New York City is called upon to midwife the city into magical sentience. I really like the concept and some of the writing. The main character has a lot of personality, and I love the ways he interacts with graffiti and cops. The explanation of how cities "quicken" and the birthing experience are fantastic. When the narrator starts fighting with "the Enemy" it all got a little diffuse for me--even at the end of the story I wasn't clear on the the Enemy was or why it wanted to prevent NYC from coming to life. And I wanted to know way more about what being the avatar or whatever of the city entailed; at the end we're told the narrator is rich 50 years later, but I wanted to know more about what his day to day looks like, how being connected to the city got him wealth, whether his wholly negative feelings toward the police and tourists have altered once he's part of the city, or whether he altered the city operations to reflect his own experiences. But really, my interest and wanting more details is proof positive that this is a story worth reading.
This short story is available online and has been nominated for a Hugo award.
This short story is available online and has been nominated for a Hugo award.
March 15, 2020
This is the lesson: Great cities are like any other living things, being born and maturing and wearying and dying in their turn.
I am once again impressed by N. K. Jemisin’s ability to change her writing style so effortlessly. If you have read The Broken Earth Trilogy, you would have noticed how she switches from second person perspective to third person perspective and back again. While The Broken Earth Trilogy has a heavy-handed writing style, The City Born Great is the opposite. The writing is light and airy, flitting between words that add colour to the story, giving it a life all of its own.
There is no cohesive story. It’s a moment in time with a quick jump to the future, which can be expected from a story this short. But that didn’t mean the story was boring. If anything, I loved the vitality of it and the attitude it portrayed. I loved how it can evoke a feeling of life in the city as you read through it.
I am once again impressed by N. K. Jemisin’s ability to change her writing style so effortlessly. If you have read The Broken Earth Trilogy, you would have noticed how she switches from second person perspective to third person perspective and back again. While The Broken Earth Trilogy has a heavy-handed writing style, The City Born Great is the opposite. The writing is light and airy, flitting between words that add colour to the story, giving it a life all of its own.
There is no cohesive story. It’s a moment in time with a quick jump to the future, which can be expected from a story this short. But that didn’t mean the story was boring. If anything, I loved the vitality of it and the attitude it portrayed. I loved how it can evoke a feeling of life in the city as you read through it.
June 5, 2017
Surreal work, touching on racism, homelessness, sexual favors, etc, but clearly not my cup of tea especially because of the weirdness and the slang.
February 10, 2017
Excellent voice, I think this can only be described as "fierce". I wonder if her next series will be set in this world?
February 1, 2021
"I don’t have to believe in something for it to fuck up my life."
March 17, 2017
This is my first experience reading N. K. Jemisin. She just recently got on my radar when I discovered that her novels have been nominated for awards many times for World Fantasy, Locus, and Hugo Awards. I'd heard of The Fifth Season, but I didn't really look into it. It was just a book title that I'd recognized.
Overall, this is a good story. I like the narrative voice and the overall flow of her writing. It just sounds so natural, nothing forced. The City Born Great has gotten me excited about reading one of her novels! If you've read her novels, please let me know which of her novels you think I should read first. Thanks!
If you would like to read this free Tor.com short, you can read it here.
Overall, this is a good story. I like the narrative voice and the overall flow of her writing. It just sounds so natural, nothing forced. The City Born Great has gotten me excited about reading one of her novels! If you've read her novels, please let me know which of her novels you think I should read first. Thanks!
If you would like to read this free Tor.com short, you can read it here.
March 8, 2020
It’s a bright, clear day, not a cloud in the sky. People walking past the cops leave short, stark afternoon shadows, barely there at all. But around these two, the shadows pool and curl as if they stand beneath their own private, roiling thundercloud. And as I watch, the shorter one begins to . . . stretch, sort of, his shape warping ever so slightly, until one eye is twice the circumference of the other. His right shoulder slowly develops a bulge that suggests a dislocated joint. His companion doesn’t seem to notice.
Yooooo, nope.
This is a party I'm very late to - though being late in this case means less wait for the full-length novel. Win! This is inventive, and bright, and it really caught my attention in the best way.
Yooooo, nope.
This is a party I'm very late to - though being late in this case means less wait for the full-length novel. Win! This is inventive, and bright, and it really caught my attention in the best way.
February 24, 2021
2.8/5
Read it before The City We Became, just to see if it will add some context to the novel. This definitely wears its politics on its sleeve. Some people like that in fiction, some don't. It was fine, but nothing particularly good or bad about it. And yes, a new choice of protagonist, but I am SO SICK of urban fantasy in NYC and London, that a new kind of protagonist doesn't do that much for me. If it was set in New Orleans or Galveston or Houston, that would get my attention.
Read it before The City We Became, just to see if it will add some context to the novel. This definitely wears its politics on its sleeve. Some people like that in fiction, some don't. It was fine, but nothing particularly good or bad about it. And yes, a new choice of protagonist, but I am SO SICK of urban fantasy in NYC and London, that a new kind of protagonist doesn't do that much for me. If it was set in New Orleans or Galveston or Houston, that would get my attention.
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