We Have Always Died in the Castle

by Elizabeth Bear, Melissa Gay (Illustrator)

Virtual reality technology is no longer confined to computer-science labs and high-tech theme parks. Today, head-mounted goggles, sensors, and haptic control systems are tools for immersive journalism, professional development, and clinical therapy. In this novella, award-winning science fiction and fantasy author Elizabeth Bear and artist Melissa Gay imagine a near future informed by visceral VR simulations to catalyze positive change.

We Have Always Died in the Castle is the first story in the Crowd Futures project from Arizona State University. An experiment in collaborative storytelling, Crowd Futures brings authors and illustrators into dialogue with members of an intellectually curious public to participate in the creative process by proposing scenarios, sharing ideas, weighing options, and navigating the uncertainties of our looming scientific and technological discoveries.

Genres: Science Fiction, Novella, Short Stories, Fiction, Own

51 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 8, 2018

About the author

What Goodreads really needs is a "currently WRITING" option for its default bookshelves...

Reviews

[MargaretDH · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cool little novella takes a look at how virtual reality might be used to help people with growth and introspection - or not.

In this piece of speculative fiction, Bear explores how being viscerally present in a puzzle scenario over and over could allow people to analyze their own reactions, especially if they're not the type to look a therapist in the eye. But instead of being preachy and didactic, it's a gothic ghost tale set in a creepy castle over the sea. Bear has an excellent eye for imagery, and this is more immersive than I was expecting. Plus, there's some very cool illustrations.

This is free to read on the Centre for Science and Imagination at the Arizona State University site. It's a quick read, and worth checking out.

[Kei · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting.

Thought provoking - though not comfortably so.

However, the most uncomfortable thoughts it provoked are also entirely believable.

There will always be a human who wants to take a good idea and warp it into something that serves their own ends.

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great!

A great piece of short speculative fiction writing.
Fun mystery meets social thought experiment, built from the concept of a possible future.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so good. Near-future sf, a patient being treated to - no, look: it's fairly short and intriguing, go read it!

[Thorn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Laying it on a bit thick here.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the title of this story told me where it was going... and where it was going turned out to be not what I expected at all.

[Cass · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

[Japunkt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This bears no resemblance to Shirley Jackson’s We Have Always Lived In the Castle, more’s the pity. Competent, but not thrilling.

[Chuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short story about the possible therapeutic use of virtual reality. Knowing this you can skip the rather ponderous and academic introductions.