Aurealis #106, November 2017“In Cinematic Terms” by Brianna Bullen
Reviewed by Kevin P Hallett
The 106th issue of Aurealis has three original short stories.
“In Cinematic Terms” by Brianna Bullen
Arri Alexa is a robotic tech laborer working on cinematography in this SF short. She wants to continue working on films, but faces intense pressure from the newer models. She feels there’s a hole in her existence, though she doesn’t understand what is missing.
When she spies a man walking his dog on the beach she is curious, and commits his face to her memory banks. Years later, she meets him again. Surprisingly he recognizes her too. They strike up a conversation, and over time their friendship grows. Could this be what she needs to fill the hole in her life?
The slow pace undermined the originality and imagery of the story.
“The Sylkies” by Henry Gasko
Gasko gives us a short fantasy about a young man, Peter. Facing death, he seeks the help of his bitter and estranged father. On a walk-about together in the hills, Peter waits for the right time to tell his dad he has MS.
As they climb up a hill, two overly friendly women join them. They seem understanding of Peter’s plight as well as his father’s fears for the future and the women begin to try and beguile them, offering them each a better future.
This was an intriguing story that engaged the reader from the beginning.
“Howling Mad” by Kris Ashton
“Howling Mad” is a short horror SF story about Billy, a werewolf in a post-apocalyptic world. Wandering across the Australian hinterland, he comes across a flyspeck of a town called Kangaroo Flats.
The sole occupant of this town on the edge of the desert is Ron, an old farmer who needs a companion to dispel his loneliness. Billy wonders if he should stay. He will need a special room to hold him during full moons, but Ron seems to be a decent man in need of help.
The unexpected twists in this tale will keep the reader captivated until the end. It was a nicely crafted story.