Clarkesworld #19, April 2008

Clarkesworld Magazine is a good magazine to read, despite it having only two fiction stories in each issue. If there ever comes a day when I read a fiction magazine and discover that each issue comprises only one fiction story, then something tells me I won’t be surprised.

In the April, 2008, issue, Jeffrey Ford picks up where H.G. Wells left off with his darkly humorous tale, “After Moreau.” Written from the perspective of Hippopotamus Man, Ford provides a glimpse into the lesser known side of the story: the side of the animal people themselves. He reveals aspects that Wells hadn’t and in doing so, brings his own unique take on the classic tale. While the story is a short one, it richly explores the human condition in one of the most effective ways—by comparing and contrasting humanity with other animals.

Many characters have cameos but not so many that it becomes confusing. While Hippopotamus Man is the only character with much depth (being the main one) Ford does provide the others with some personality. Making “After Moreau” longer might have improved it, but it remains a good read as is. And besides, Panther Woman is hot.

“Flight” by Jeremiah Sturgill is another humorous story that pokes fun at today’s cosmetic surgery through the tradition of showing an extreme version of it in the near future. While it presents a good glimpse into the shallowness of the current beauty trends, it falls flat due to its utter lack of characters worth sympathizing with. The main character’s head is as light as her body becomes, and once you read “Flight,” you’ll understand just how light that is. But overall, this was good for a couple laughs.

While I think that Clarkesworld Magazine should be titled Short & Sweet & Oh So Pretty instead, I am impressed by the overall quality of the stories from issue to issue. It’s definitely a magazine worth going back to each month. Especially since each issue feels like it only takes ten minutes to read.