When I read stories, especially short stories, I tend to latch on to the characters and their relationships moreso than the technology or the novelty of the world. It was no different for me in reading "In the House of Aryaman..."
The most striking relationship I found in the story was that between Ferron and her mother. I understand in this given world, that parent-child bonds are seen as something more biological than emotional. But it seems sad to me that almost every other character, even secondary ones, had a similar outlook on the ones who birthed them. For example, Ferron says of her mother in their final confrontation, "...reproduction is an ultimately sociopathic act, no matter what I owe you.” This sentiment is echoed earlier in the text by Jessica Fang's daughter, who, having just found out her mother was murdered (or so she thought) said, “That doesn’t make her my mother. Is there anything else you’re legally bound to inform me of?”
Thankfully, I come from a wonderful family and I certainly cherish both of my parents as best as I can. And I understand that not all parents are worth maintaining connection with (like in this story, Ferron's mother is an addict and Jessica Fang/Dr. Coffin is (spoilers) a murderer). I still can't help feeling sad for the characters who seem to have such terrible relationships with their families, and note that much of it has to do with a retreat into, and a reliance on, technology.
I kind of saw Ferron's mother's addiction to her virtual world as a futuristic analogy to drug or alcohol addictions which also disrupt family relationships now.
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