Emergency Skin

This is one of six short stories published by Amazon and all of them deal with some sort of technological advancements which is not my usual kind of genre, so I don't think these would have even been on my radar if not for this short story by N. K. Jemisin. And she never disappoints.

I've actually come to associate second person POV with the author, so I wasn't at all surprised when this story began the same way. As per the premise, I was expecting the space explorer to find a much destroyed Earth but what he encounters is something completely unexpected. The author tells most of the story through the AI which lives inside his head (if we could even call it that), giving instructions to him about what to do on Earth and what rewards await. In just this short story, we get a great glimpse of the kind of new society these so-called Founders have built in a far away galaxy - a white homogeneous male world in which only the rich and privileged have access to skin and all other pleasures, whereas the majority live in composite suits.

The major theme of the story is the belief in a socialist utopian society, the idea that all the earth's problems would be solved if all human beings worked towards the betterment of everybody and not just themselves. In a story that's just about 33 pages, we get excellent commentary on misogyny, fat shaming, racism, classism, ableism and capitalist greed and while the author's solution to save the world might not feel realistic, the underlying problems she talks about are nevertheless completely true. And there's absolutely nothing wrong in envisioning a world that's better for every one of its inhabitants.

In the end, all I can say is that Jemisin packs a powerful punch in just a few words, and it's overall hopeful message is brilliantly done. It's a very short, enjoyable and thought provoking read and I think everyone should give it a try. You'll of course enjoy it more if you are familiar with the author's writing style (and like it) or lean more left liberal in your politics. I haven't still decided if I should try the remaining five stories in this collection, but maybe I should.

💬: "To ensure success, and your mental health during extended isolation, we have equipped you with ourselves—a dynamic-matrix consensus intelligence encapsulating the ideals and blessed rationality of our Founders. We are implanted in your mind and will travel with you everywhere. We are your companion, and your conscience.

Jemisin, N. K.. Emergency Skin (Forward collection) (p. 3). Kindle Edition. "

📖Genres: sci-fi, fantasy, short story, novella, Hugo Award winners

📚Page Count: 29

🎧Audiobook Length: 01h 04min

👩🏾‍🏫My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

TW - <spoiler>Gaslighting, Ableism, Racial slurs, Sexism, Body shaming, Racism, and Xenophobia</spoiler>

"Emergency Skin" by N.K. Jemisin is a short story or novella from the short story collection, "Forward" published by Am*zon. A scout or explorer travels back to Earth to collect information, the danger lies in that Earth was destroyed by climate change centuries ago. When the explorer discovers that there is still some humanity left on Earth, he worries about how dangerous they are. He's instructed to get off Earth and survive any encounters. Will the soldier make it back home intact? Or was the mission more than the explorer could handle?

This was amazing. I am blow away by the fact that Ms. Jemisin created these characters, this story, and the world building within 29 pages. I'm not going to spoil anything, I want everyone to read this story while only knowing what the synopsis is.

"Emergency Skin" is definitely the best short story in the "Forward" Collection published by Am*zon. It's an amazing short story, I was speechless by the ending of the story. I can't believe she wrote this in 29 pages?! Ms. Jemisin is such an amazing writer, I know this and she still manages to surprise me with her talent. I'm giving this book 5 stars out of 5.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars

I own this audiobook, I didn't find it available at the library.

Read like a Democrat primer on the difference between [a:Bernie Sanders 102824 Bernie Sanders https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1300822269p2/102824.jpg] and [a:Ayn Rand 432 Ayn Rand https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1168729178p2/432.jpg] if each ran their own planet.

Jemisin is one of the best voices in SFF today and this short story is just further proof of that.

You'll read reviews about it being “heavy-handed” only to see it's only heavy-handed to those who disagree with the story's theme.

The story takes on another layer when you consider who the story's publisher is and how this was all a direct criticism of late stage capitalism, greed, toxic masculinity and the inherent racism that comes with these things.

Bold. It's especially bold knowing how many people this story would upset.

This is part of the Amazon Original ‘Forward Collection' curated by Blake Crouch. This is my first experience with the author outside of The Broken Earth trilogy, and honestly it read kind of the same. These are available through prime for free on kindle or audible! 
When earth is finally damaged beyond repair, a group of the best human specimen head off in search of a new home, but in time it leaves them in need of materials to survive, which they get by sending people back. They never planned on those sent back having a reason to think for themselves, to want to stay. 
As this author tends to do, this story heavily played into the idea of race. Not only as a whole, but the idea that even in a future where things are falling  apart, those in charge will still feel like they're better. The new world is scientifically generated down to skin and build. There are no women with them, as they were part of the problem. It was in a sense, harsh, but this author tends to offer you the truth with no amount of sugar coating. 
Personally a 4/5*. I enjoyed reading this one. The general idea that if the favored few didn't hoard, we'd be far better off sang true. Also, really loved the description of the birthing/body bags, gave me very Blade Runner feels. 

“On its face, this mission is simple: return to the ruined planet Tellus, from which mankind originates. When our Founders realize the world was dying , they built the Muskos-Mercer Drive in secret. Then our ancestors bent the rules of light and fled to a new world circling another sun, so that something of humanity-the best of it-would survive”

My third read in the Forward Collection. So far:

1) Ark by Veronica Roth: 2/5
2) Summer Frost by Blake Crouch: 4/5
3) Emergency Skin by N. K. Jemisin: 4/5

Verdict: Mrs. Jemisin, NEVER stop writing. I know that after reading her “The Broken Earth” trilogy and one short story there's nothing I can say as an absolute truth but, hell, is she some kind of world-building master? I like the way she speculates and complains at the same time, her themes, her tone. Nothing new, I know, I just love her ways. Highly recommended!

Mr. Jason Isaacs, I really tried. It's just that my english is not good enough yet for audiobooks. T_T

Nice short story set in the semi-distant future wherein a colony sends an expedition back to Earth, thought to be long dead, in search of technology essential to keep their “colony” alive. It gets a little political, but it's not too bad, all things considered. The concept is worthwhile to explore.

This collection/anthology of short stories based on major future technologies and how they might affect our society has been very nice. They're all available on Kindle Unlimited with the Audiobook version included.