Two people who both share an uncommon trait that start dating, despite knowing things in advance. Of course their clairvoyant talents are at odds with each other. It seems like Doug, who is stuck in one future sight, shows no sign of drastic change and played the martyr to Judy. For Judy she can see many variations in her life and acquaintances, and fights to stay together with him. It's saddening that Doug displaces his chances to be with the determined Judy. I really wonder now if he had endeavored further and not stuck to that pessimistic view if they could have changed their personal fate/destiny? This is a story of an abusive relationship.Like many abusers, Doug has a sad past and sees no hope for the future. He experiences time as a “dark tunnel” leading him through a short, miserable, entirely predicted and unalterable life.Judy can see the future as well, but for her it’s branching and full of possibilities. She lives spontaneously while at the same time optimizing her choices for the the long-term. Her bedroom is vibrant, crowded and chaotic. Doug’s is spartan, dull and organized. Doug has few joyful moments in his life, and when they do arrive he seems unable to enjoy them, paralyzed by his awareness of how fleeting and infrequent they will be. Judy tries to draw him into her worldview and get him to explore the possibility of pursuing and creating happiness of his own. But Doug is not one for exploring and refuses to consider this reality. He grows resentful and eventually comes to despise Judy for her happiness, her optimism and her freedom.The drama of the story instead revolves around Doug’s attempts to drag Judy down into his personal Hell, to force onto her his dark version of destiny and rip away her free will. His misery makes him destructive - if Doug can’t be happy, Judy shouldn’t get to be either.Doug’s mind, will and fate are closed, making him immune from Judy’s influence. Judy on the other hand is open to life, to new experience and to Doug. This leaves her vulnerable to his poisonous worldview, one which could destroy her.I won’t reveal how it plays out, but the unfolding is captivating. This story is disturbing, moving and thought-provoking. Charlie Jane Anders managed to keep Doug sympathetic even as his behaviour turned from cruel to unforgivable. Judy could easily have been a picture perfect Marie-Sue of a character, but Anders gave her moments of cruelty and destructiveness, especially as she wandered deeper and deeper into Doug’s worldview.Excellent book. The great thing about this being a novella is that I can force everyone I know to read it. Bwa ha ha.
Do You like book Six Months, Three Days (2000)?
Pretty sure I've read this before. Pretty sure I liked it better this time.
—Kaykay9775
Cool concept, tedious execution. Relationship angle is unconvincing.
—spect
