[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, August 7, 2023

“City Grown From Seed” by Diana Dima

Reviewed by Victoria Silverwolf

The title of “City Grown From Seed” by Diana Dima is quite literal, and refers to the narrator. It relates how it developed from a seed carried by a little girl after leaving her home town forever. As a young woman, the child returns to the city, which is now large enough to enter. She brings a friend, who has her own seed containing a city.

This is a sweet, sentimental little story, something like an urban fairy tale. Although there are hints of sadness at some points, these are overshadowed by a pervasive sense of joy. The work is likely to bring a smile to one’s lips, even if it is soon forgotten.

Victoria Silverwolf does not live in a city.