Strange Horizons, January 14, 2019

“We Are Here To Be Held” by Eugenia Triantafyllou

Reviewed by Seraph

It takes a certain degree of skill to write a story in which there is no specified location, time, or similar reference. The ideas and concepts held within have to be just one step further ahead of the curve. This is a higher bar that I honestly cannot say whether this offering meets or not. It contains strong, deep concepts, and it speaks volumes, though it moves a little too fast, and perhaps runs a bit short on the word count to really do the concept justice. The idea of an excessively overprotective mother smothering and controlling you is one I suspect more than a few can identify with. Mix it with a touch of horror, and you have this story, where instead of just controlling you, she actually consumes you, only to spit you out later when you are grown. There is a theme of stolen childhood that resonates deeply. The resistance to repeating history, and the desire to raise your child better than you were raised also resonates. I just want more.