Strange Horizons, March 2, 2015

“Even the Mountains Are Not Forever” by Laurie Tom

Reviewed by Kris Rudin

In “Even the Mountains Are Not Forever,” Laurie Tom drops us into a future society that was apparently transplanted from Earth, from what would seem to be Tibet. The ‘founding mother’ is Kunchen, who is revered, and still alive, even generations later. This is due to the fact that she spends much of her time in cryo-sleep of some sort. As the story unfolds, we learn more about Kunchen and her history, and why she is now choosing a successor. Not much happens: Kunchen talks to the current abbot about certain candidates, and Kunchen decides on one. The ending is perhaps supposed to indicate a major paradigm shift in the society, but it seemed very abrupt and anti-climactic. However, the major concept is intriguing – I would love to see a longer treatment of this society, in perhaps a novel or novella.