Writer - Ian McDonald
Published By - Tor.com
'Man versus Machine' or 'Old versus New' is a theme that has been used many a times in various forms of fiction. So, as a matter of fact, I wasn't particularly enthusiastic about 'The Guile'. But, at the end of the day, in case of a short story it is all about execution. And 'Ian McDonald' really adds his unique flavor to this age old theme while creating a story full of lovable characters. The end result is a fun and refreshing short that retains a lingering taste in mind even after it's finished.
'The Guile' is a near future science fiction that has characters at its center rather than sci-fi or fantasy elements. It tells the story of stage magician 'Maltese jack' trying to create an illusion that can outwit the new surveillance AI 'Remi'. Will the aged magician, with the help of his equally washed out friends be able to create a trick that can even fool a machine? Or is the real trick somewhere else? If I talk any more about the plot I risk totally spoiling it, so I'll just stop here.
The story is told with a fun and unique style making us really feel sympathy for the characters. We root for the cast even knowing full well they can actually never win. Even the twist is predictable, yet when executed, creates a sense of accomplishment and enjoyment that the author surely was aiming for. I, for one, would have loved a longer version story with these characters, as I think they deserved much more.
This one was a short and fun read that only took a few minutes to read, but still creates a smile on my face whenever I think back on it. Nicely done, Mr. McDonald. Mission accomplished.
3.5 out of 5 stars.
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