[On May 10, 2021 Strange Horizons officially expressed its political support for Palestinian solidarity. The views of Tangent Online reviewers are not necessarily those of Strange Horizons. Fiction critiqued at Tangent Online is, as much as is humanly possible, without prejudice and based solely on artistic merit.]

Strange Horizons, April 8, 2024

“The Jaxicans’ Authentic Reconstruction of Taco Tuesday #37” by Stephen Granade

Reviewed by Victoria Silverwolf

In the extreme far future, the human characters in “The Jaxicans’ Authentic Reconstruction of Taco Tuesday #37” by Stephen Granade are revived (or possibly simulated) by tree-like aliens. The goal of the extraterrestrials is to recreate various aspects of human culture of the distant past.

They consult the protagonist about his work at a fast food restaurant serving Americanized Mexican dishes that are not of high quality. The main character eventually shows them what the place was really like, and not what the corporation brochures claimed.

As may be evident, this is a whimsical, lightly comic tale, almost like a gentle spoof of Philip José Farmer’s Riverworld series, in which everyone who ever lived on Earth is resurrected on another planet. The author has a gift for characterization, both human and alien, which is the main appeal of an otherwise minor, if pleasant, story.

Victoria Silverwolf likes vegetarian tacos of high quality.