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Fruitcake Theory [MultiFormat]
eBook by James Patrick Kelly
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$0.69 |
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$0.59 |
eBook Category: Science Fiction/Humor
eBook Description: Perhaps the aliens who resemble overgrown roosters aren't as dumb as they look.... Very funny first contact story.
eBook Publisher: Fictionwise.com, Published: Asimov's SF Magazine, 1998
Fictionwise Release Date: June 2000
This eBook is also available in the following bundle(s):
Available eBook Formats [MultiFormat - What's this?]: Adobe Acrobat (PDF) [79 KB], eReader (PDB) [29 KB], Palm Doc (PDB) [16 KB], Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [16 KB], Microsoft Reader (LIT) [65 KB] - PocketPC 1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [87 KB], hiebook (KML) [68 KB], Sony Reader (LRF) [41 KB], iSilo (PDB) [13 KB], Mobipocket (PRC) [17 KB], Kindle Compatible (MOBI) [45 KB], OEBFF Format (IMP) [27 KB]
Words: 4600
Reading time: 13-18 min.
Microsoft Reader (LIT) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud DISABLED
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED
 
There isn't enough humorous science fiction for my taste, but
"Fruitcake Theory" by James Patrick Kelly is one exception.
It's a giggle and snicker producing story while introducing us
to a fascinating and totally non-humanoid species. When the
Kuvat visit earth, our scientists hope to learn great things
from this species that traveled a hundred and thirty light
years to get here--so the Kavat are granted every wish
possible, turning into havoc for the characters and a frolic
of fun for the reader. If you enjoy meeting unique alien
species' and humor separately, try the combination in this
intriguing short story and you'll meet characters you'll think
about long after the story's done. -Marcia Hanson, Fictionwise Recommender
"James Patrick Kelly's "Fruitcake Theory" is one of the highlights of the magazine. Aliens have arrived in the form of the Kuvat, a "bifurcated" race. The shy and smart "scarecrows" remain largely in their ship, while the dumb but hyperactive "roosters" roam Earth. Maggie, the first person protagonist, is a rooster handler, guiding her charge through the madness of a mall during Christmas. The rooster literally hungers for experience (they taste everything they can find), and in particular it desires a fruitcake, esteemed to be a source of much information. The cranky and cynical Maggie discharges her duty with caustic wit, allowing Kelly to casually drop such lines as "I have to see a rooster about a fruitcake." Ultimately the rooster does get its fruitcake, only to spit it out in disgust, shouting "Fruitcake is a lie," a sentiment with which most readers would agree. At the climax, a scarecrow arrives and takes a bite out of the rooster, thus absorbing its experiences, including the despair of an elderly, broke Santa who attacked the rooster and was bitten in self-defense. Horrified that humanity treats its elders so poorly, the Kuvat abandon Earth. While others speculate on the cause of their departure, Maggie blames the fruitcake. As a Christmas story for the 90s, this is perhaps more of an antidote to the holidays than a celebration of them." -Jeff Verona, Tangent Online (Learn more about Tangent Online, the Internet's leading SF&F short fiction review website)
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