SciPhi “The Gehenna of Saint Augustine” by Joachim Glage
“A Solipsist’s Guide to the Movies” by Larry Gale
“Second Genesis” by Carlton Herzog
“Ghosts of My Life” by Paul Currion
“Celestial Being 01 Commission: Initial Findings Report” by Luke Brown
“Fragment 27” by Humphrey Price
“Geriatric Dragon Care Associates Needed!” by Bethany Tomerlin Prince
“Breaking News: World Ends Today” by Leonard Henry Scott
“Angel” by Nicholas Diehl
“The Eyes” by Kostas Charitos
Reviewed by Victoria Silverwolf
Ten new stories, some quite short, appear in this issue of the magazine of philosophical speculative fiction. Many of the works offer theological fantasy, while others supply a strong dose of humor.
In “The Gehenna of Saint Augustine” by Joachim Glage, the famous theologian has a vision of Hell as a place of perfect, unlimited knowledge. The notion that understanding everything would render existence meaningless appears to be the intended point of the work, which is an effective, if simple, combination of historical fiction and philosophical speculation.
“A Solipsist’s Guide to the Movies” by Larry Gale is a very brief joke in which the narrator and an acquaintance discuss whether what seems to be reality is merely the imaginings of the only truly existing entity. The punchline is predictable. The theme of solipsism was used to greater effect as long ago as Robert A. Heinlein’s 1941 story “They.”
In “Second Genesis” by Carlton Herzog, space explorers venture to a newly discovered planet far beyond Pluto. An accident strands them on the frozen world, where they discover life and undergo a strange transformation.
This is a more fully developed story than other works in the magazine. Readers are likely to find some of the scientific content questionable.
“Ghosts of My Life” by Paul Currion takes place in a future world where everyone is connected to an artificial intelligence designed to eliminate violence. The cost is that people continue to experience all the death and destruction that has already occurred. The plot deals with a woman who perceives her dead husband, and her daughter, who chooses to drop out of the AI’s network.
I have probably badly explained the story’s premise, as the work is somewhat opaque. In any case, the author raises questions of free will and the dangers of excessive information, without coming to any conclusions.
In “Celestial Being 01 Commission: Initial Findings Report” by Luke Brown, an entity matching the description of an angel in the Book of Ezekiel approaches Earth. Space explorers sent by the Catholic Church investigate the object, but are unable to determine if it is divine or natural.
As this synopsis may suggest, the story is open-ended. The entity appears to be a threat, but whether the world faces God’s judgment or an attack by aliens is left unanswered.
“Fragment 27” by Humphrey Price takes place after Judgment Day, when the Elect have been transformed into beings of pure energy. The narrator is one out of trillions of such persons, the vast majority of whom come from worlds other than Earth. Now they wait for the next phase of God’s plan.
The author creates a unique eschatological fantasy with a touch of science fiction. There is no real plot other than the narrator’s situation and the coming fate of the Elect.
“Geriatric Dragon Care Associates Needed!” by Bethany Tomerlin Prince takes the form of a want ad inviting inhabitants of a fantasy world to apply for various positions in an extended care facility for dragons. The sophomoric humor found in this bagatelle may amuse those who enjoy roleplaying games.
Continuing the mood of comedy, “Breaking News: World Ends Today” by Leonard Henry Scott is a jape in which humanity faces its imminent destruction in a calm fashion. The dry absurdism of this work may remind readers of the style of humor provided by Monty Python’s Flying Circus.
“Angel” by Nicholas Diehl is a work of alternate history in which the Church has its own justice system, parallel to the secular system. The main character is a woman dying of cancer who agrees to be an assassin for the Church. She will sacrifice her life at the same time she kills her target, a man who has committed acts of great evil.
There is not much more to the story than the premise. Much of the text consists of documents detailing the history of this alternate world. Some may find these more interesting than the main narrative.
“The Eye” by Kostas Charitos takes the idea that the observer creates what is observed to an extreme. Changes in the sky reveal that something is observing the Earth, and is losing interest in it.
Part of this story will remind many readers of Arthur C. Clarke’s 1953 story “The Nine Billion Names of God.” The climax is more original, providing an image that is both striking and witty.
Victoria Silverwolf notes that this issue also contains a nonfiction article about transhumanism.