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Bewildering Stories

Challenge 998

Making Change

  1. In Gary Inbinder’s Coup d’état: What future plot development might be expected for the character of Duke Placco?

  2. In Brian Yapko’s The Trial: The Red Daggers’ fate seemed to be signed and sealed just a little early. Now an underage defendant and new evidence warrant an appeal of the verdict. In view of the characters’ attitudes expressed to date in the legalistic epistolary messages, what plot “twists” might one expect?

  3. In Aidan Bruce Alberts’ Promise the Girl:

    1. In what ways is Hymn abandoned throughout her life? Which instance seems to be an outright betrayal?
    2. The names Hymn, Chant and Requiem all refer to solemn, often funereal music. Why the choice?
    3. Does Requiem explain its insistence that Hymn be separated from her father for many years? Does Hymn’s father explain his agreeing to the separation?
    4. What does Hymn need in order to be able ultimately to decide her own fate?
  4. In Gary Clifton’s Margin of Error: Fiona is so sure that her husband is cheating on her that no questions occur to her. Why might she be so single-minded? Has she been watching too many television dramas? Is she tacitly admitting that she would cheat if she had the opportunity? Or is there some other explanation?

  5. In Huina Zheng’s The Full-Time Daughter:

    1. What duties seem to be expected of Jing as a daughter? As a wife?
    2. What family duties are expected of husbands?
    3. To what extent do many North American women have the same complaints as Jing might have?
    4. What population problems are shared by both China and North America?
  6. In Kevin Broccoli’s Apophany: What might the title mean?


  7. Responses welcome!

    date Copyright © May 22, 2023 by Bewildering Stories
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