Strange Horizons, December 21, 2020

“Come Water, Be One of Us” by Octavia Cade

Reviewed by Victoria Silverwolf

The fact that certain rivers have been designated as legal persons serves as the starting point for “Come Water, Be One of Us” by Octavia Cade. The unnamed narrator contrasts this situation with the more familiar one of corporations considered as persons by the law. The fantasy element in this brief tale arrives when a river rises from its banks to kill one who has harmed it.

This is an angry tirade, in lightly fictionalized form, against the abuses of business corporations. One cannot doubt the author’s sincerity and passion, but even those who agree with the story’s theme are likely to find it heavy-handed.

Victoria Silverwolf received a COVID-19 vaccine a couple of days ago.