I just finished our readings for this week, and while I enjoyed most of them, my favorite was definitely "Goodnight Moons" by Ellen Klages. It may be my favorite of the entire collection, because it was so simple and sweet. Some of the other stories we've read have involved space in some way, but this was the first one to really address the effect that it might have on individuals, both emotionally and physically. The shortness of the story was somewhat jarring- I could easily have continued to read about Zoe and Poddy- but I think that's a large part of its charm. We don't need to know what happens to them in their new life on Mars, because our adventure with them is over. When the short story ends and the readers leave them, Zoe and Poddy are truly alone in a way that they would not have been if the story had continued.
Plus, I loved the nod/twist to "Goodnight Moon" at the end. That was one of my favorite books growing up.
I agree with it being one of the better stories! Space stories that are largely psychological are usually some of my favorite. Like 2001: a Space Odyssey, Moon, or even Solaris (the George Clooney one).
ReplyDeleteI really liked this one! But for some reason, I thought the mother had to leave Poddy all alone on Mars by herself. Now that I know this isn't the case, it was a much happier story! I guess reading whilst half asleep can really skew the story line. I am glad that the mother got to finally live out her life goal of going to Mars, but it still seemed slightly sad that they would be so cut off from everything. Sort of like in some stories where genies grant you a wish, and though you get what you wish for, there is some malevolent catch that comes with it. Like, "Oh, I wish to be rich!" and then your parents die and leave you to inherit everything. So basically, from that rambling, I'm trying to decide whether she is content with her situation...if it's like everything she's ever wanted.
ReplyDeleteI felt strongly about this story, mostly because I felt it was one of the few "happy" endings in the collection. It was great to see Zoe as such a strong mother as opposed to many of the other female characters, mother's included that were not so strong and brave. I thought that she finally got her wish to live on Mars forever, and even better, she got to do it with her daughter! With everyone else on earth so interested in the new Martian baby, I doubt they will just leave them up there alone. She talked about reading stories to Poddy and keeping her well entertained, protected, and nurtured.
ReplyDeleteI still don't know how I feel about this story. I can't decide whether the ending is happy or not. In the end, they are cut off from everyone else, and her daughter will never be able to see earth. But you bring up the point that it was her dream to go to Mars. I can see how getting to live there could be a positive in her mind. I certainly wouldn't want to live there for the rest of my life.
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