Review: A Handful of Mud by Artyv K
Review of A Handful of Mud by Artyv K (3082 words)
Luna Station Quarterly, Issue 036 : Read Online
A world where everyone lives in subterranean rooms, where kids haven't even seen the sunlight or the land up there. And then grandmum smuggles in some mud. Dana, our narrator and the older child, is more aware of the possible repercussions of such an action. The younger one Mtra, is too young to understand much, and just wants some chocolate.
The grandmother is an interesting, unencumbered character. She does not really care for their current circumstances, having had a full life above ground, a freer life. The good old days. The kids have not experiences it and as such have nothing to compare their current living situation to. She misses the freedom of choice - down to the food eaten everyday, and the ability to grow a plant in your house. Naturally, she is very excited about acquiring A Handful of Mud.
I really enjoyed the references to India and Indian culture, and how much a world can change. Even their food comes by government ration, and the only light is artificial. The kids don't seem to be getting any sort of education either. It's a stark illustration of the kind of effects that may take place when the environment is ignored.
Soil and mud, today so freely available, may turn into something one must smuggle and barter, only to keep a bit of soil in the house. Growing a little plant of your own turns into a act of rebellion and defiance. Just writing this is giving me goosebumps.
The author has created a fantasy, albeit quite realistic, world - what may happen if we continue to take our natural resources for granted.
Luna Station Quarterly, Issue 036 : Read Online
A world where everyone lives in subterranean rooms, where kids haven't even seen the sunlight or the land up there. And then grandmum smuggles in some mud. Dana, our narrator and the older child, is more aware of the possible repercussions of such an action. The younger one Mtra, is too young to understand much, and just wants some chocolate.
The grandmother is an interesting, unencumbered character. She does not really care for their current circumstances, having had a full life above ground, a freer life. The good old days. The kids have not experiences it and as such have nothing to compare their current living situation to. She misses the freedom of choice - down to the food eaten everyday, and the ability to grow a plant in your house. Naturally, she is very excited about acquiring A Handful of Mud.
I really enjoyed the references to India and Indian culture, and how much a world can change. Even their food comes by government ration, and the only light is artificial. The kids don't seem to be getting any sort of education either. It's a stark illustration of the kind of effects that may take place when the environment is ignored.
Soil and mud, today so freely available, may turn into something one must smuggle and barter, only to keep a bit of soil in the house. Growing a little plant of your own turns into a act of rebellion and defiance. Just writing this is giving me goosebumps.
The author has created a fantasy, albeit quite realistic, world - what may happen if we continue to take our natural resources for granted.
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