Blue Ink: A Short Story [Kindle Edition]

Without having a spoiler, if you are looking for something quick to read, say during your lunch break, this is a good one to pick up. I could imagine this one could be a successful novel or novella if the author expanded it.

If you think about the concept of a short story, the author has to be good - fast - in order to grab your attention due to the limited amount of words vs. a novel writer having lots of room and words in order to drive home his or her point or main idea. With this short story, the author quickly sets the stage for you, has some realistic and meaningful dialogue, and brings home the conclusion. I'll admit at the end I had a little emotional tug at the outcome, and she left me wanting more, which is a good thing (and hence my comment on a novel aspect in the paragraph above).

Overall, very good job!

If science makes another version or copy of yourself, how can you then be viewed as something unique? And what about your clone- what happens to all those thoughts, feelings, and memories? In this short story, Jason, a six-year old boy, may not be able to express these fears, but he does think to ask his parents, "Will my clone be happy?"

On this planet, clones have a blue ID tattooed on the forehead, differentiating them from the 'real' people, which easily recalls history and our own tendency to brand someone as inferior because of religion or race. Similarly, these clones all serve a purpose, made only for a certain reason or job; none are created out of love or passion. As less than human and almost like slaves, they only exist to work on behalf of the Original.

For some reason, Jason stops to wonder about this, this question of humanity and the need for happiness, freedom, and choice, and these are things this reader also thought about. This way of looking at someone as less than human and more as a by-product of science, as a thing unworthy of consideration or concern, is really sad, with the ending of this short story being very disturbing and even heart-breaking. A very well-done short story that manages to pull all sorts of thoughts and feelings from the reader.

I have to tell you that I was quite taken with this little short story. It most certainly cannot be classified as a horror story by any stretch of the imagination, but I must tell you that I was completely horrified by it. Sad, sad, sad...and yet - terrifying when you get to thinking about it.

It is quite apparent as you begin reading this small work that the author, Nancy Fulda did not just fall off the back of a turnip wagon when it comes to writing. This little bit of work contained all the elements that a short story should and then some. It captivated me from the very first paragraph and held my attention right through to the last word. The story is indeed short and it is difficult to write a review without throwing in a bunch of spoilers. This would be a shame to do so as the author has been meticulous in building her story right to the end and then dropping the hammer on you.

Picture a planet which has been colonized. The colony has problems and needs more people. The settlers on this planet have the technology to clone people to fill their need. It has gotten to the point where a clone, or clones, as the case may be, is a good financial investment. Now picture a six year old boy who is about to be cloned for the first time...one of many in his future. The small boy has reservations. Will his clone be happy? Will he be able to see and possibly be able to talk to his clone?

Oh my.

The author has used a minimum of words in this work. Yet, with few words and no frills, she has almost instantly developed a full society which the reader will understand perfectly. She has given us one character we know well, two characters we know pretty well and a cast of several others which she has provided enough information about that we most certainly can do some speculation on our own. All this she has done in a manner which is truly a page turner without a lot of screaming, shouting and action...all is done by sharing with us low-keyed thoughts and low-keyed conversation. This is all truly remarkable.

If you were chilled and horrified by the book and movie, "Never Let Me Go," then buckle-up.

I have to agree with another reviewer here. I would love to see this short work turned into a full novel.

Skillful writing by a good story teller, a quick read and it is free at this time...what more could you want?

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks