[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, March 6, 2023

“The Gratitude of Mice” by Yume Kitasei

Reviewed by Victoria Silverwolf

In “The Gratitude of Mice” by Yume Kitasei, the narrator witnesses a neighbor dig up gifts from mice, given in exchange for what the neighbor provides. The narrator’s sister leaves food for the mice, but what she receives from them is unexpected.

This is a brief and simple tale, best described as cute. The moral may be that what is best for us may not be what we like or want, but this little bagatelle is too whimsical and lighthearted to take seriously.

Victoria Silverwolf has been watching old movies based on works by Agatha Christie lately.