#Short Story: James Tiptree jr. (SF)

• Author: James Tiptree jr.  1915-1987
• Real name: Alice Sheldon
• Title: The Screwfly Solution
• Published: 1977
• Genre:  ‘long’ short story
• Trivia: Awarded Nebula Award Novelette 1977 
• Trivia: Short List Hugo Award Novelette 1978
• Finished: 17.02.2019
• Rating: A
• List of Challenges
• Monthly planning
• List of Short Stories read

Conclusion:

1. The Screwfly Solution (1977 )… the story’s tone was playful and threatening.
2. POV: told alternately from the perspective of a devoted husband and wife.
3. The ‘hook’ was the POV of Anne (the wife) in her letters
4. bubbling with news and love….but later fear
5. to Alan (husband) in Columbia doing scientific research.
6. After reading Anne’s letter with the words:
7. “The quietness is worse, though, it’s like
8. …something terrible was going on just out of sight.”
9. I could not put this short story down! 
10. I even dreamed about it last night! 
11. The Screwfly Solution is a quick read, and although
12. …knowing the ending doesn’t remotely spoil it,
13. …I’m hesitant to spell out too much.
14. Here is the best description of aliens I’ve ever read:
15. “…it was big and sparkly, like
16. …a Christmas tree without the tree.”

Last thoughts:

1. Truly, reading short stories is  most rewarding
2. ….intense writing
3. …and instant gratificaton  (reading time 30-45 min)
4. I’ve included a  Wikipedia link about Alice Sheldon’s life
5. It was unconventional….and ended in double suicide.
6. #ReadShortStories