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Hugo or tiptree Awards Nomination Recommendation: Always Human, by Walkingnorth
Always Human is a completed slice of life science fiction lesbian romance, where body modification technology may increase human capability, but doesn't make relationships any easier.
In Australia of the 24th century, body modification mods are easy and ubiquitous, used for everything from preventing cancer to radically altering one's appearance. Sunati is fascinated by the woman she sees at the train station, who apparently uses no mods at all, but her offer of an anti-allergy mod just makes the woman upset and leave. A later meeting gives the woman- Austen- a chance to explain over a cup of coffee. Austen has Egan’s syndrome; an overactive immune system means she can't use mods at all. Things that are simple for everyone else, like immunity to allergies or changing hair color are difficult or impossible for her. On impulse, Sunati asks her out, and despite her reservations about Sunati’s motives, Austen agrees.
So begins a charming and surprisingly deep romance where one of the main characters has all the abilities of a healthy, intelligent 21st century person, yet is handicapped in dealing with 24th century society. The nature of such a handicap is explored, but not overdramatized or sentimentalized. Austen herself is justifiably angry at the suspicion of being patronized.
"Sunscreen. Makeup. Treadmills. Overlays.
There's so many things that Austen does because she can't use mods.
So much effort just to have a normal life."
The characters are relatable, their flaws realistic; Sunati overthinks things and keeps secrets, while Austen has a temper and suspects Sunati is infatuated with a brave fantasy Austen, not the real her. When Austen asks Sunati if she would have asked out if she hadn't had mods, Sumati is honest enough to say she isn't sure- but she still loves Austen. Sunati is used to changing herself at whim- wouldn't it be easier to change her life to stay with Austen? That tension informs much of the story.
This is a hard science fiction story on a small, intimate scale. No galactic empires will be toppled, or dystopic regimes overcome. We don't even learn much about Earth of the 24th century, except that it's prosperous, pastel colored, and advanced technology has been used to make people’s lives better, rather than create the sort of meathook future transhumanist writers like Varley would.
It is also cheerfully, matter of factly, diverse. Neither of the main characters are American or white, and even outside of body modifications, the larger cast is obviously from a variety of ethnicities. Pride interestingly still exists, but there is no sign of prejudice based on gender or sexual orientation. Even Austen faces not discrimination at the university, but the offer of accommodation, and a comfortable life on basic income and disability- and her pointing out how that may not be desirable is a major element of the series.
The issues and decisions the characters make are gripping without a huge dramatic background. And the final decision Sunati faces, which may gives the choice of giving up a dream or separating her from Austen, doesn't need a dramatic setting to be vitally important to both the couple, and the reader.
The first episode of Always Human is HERE.
Always Human is a completed slice of life science fiction lesbian romance, where body modification technology may increase human capability, but doesn't make relationships any easier.
In Australia of the 24th century, body modification mods are easy and ubiquitous, used for everything from preventing cancer to radically altering one's appearance. Sunati is fascinated by the woman she sees at the train station, who apparently uses no mods at all, but her offer of an anti-allergy mod just makes the woman upset and leave. A later meeting gives the woman- Austen- a chance to explain over a cup of coffee. Austen has Egan’s syndrome; an overactive immune system means she can't use mods at all. Things that are simple for everyone else, like immunity to allergies or changing hair color are difficult or impossible for her. On impulse, Sunati asks her out, and despite her reservations about Sunati’s motives, Austen agrees.
So begins a charming and surprisingly deep romance where one of the main characters has all the abilities of a healthy, intelligent 21st century person, yet is handicapped in dealing with 24th century society. The nature of such a handicap is explored, but not overdramatized or sentimentalized. Austen herself is justifiably angry at the suspicion of being patronized.
"Sunscreen. Makeup. Treadmills. Overlays.
There's so many things that Austen does because she can't use mods.
So much effort just to have a normal life."
The characters are relatable, their flaws realistic; Sunati overthinks things and keeps secrets, while Austen has a temper and suspects Sunati is infatuated with a brave fantasy Austen, not the real her. When Austen asks Sunati if she would have asked out if she hadn't had mods, Sumati is honest enough to say she isn't sure- but she still loves Austen. Sunati is used to changing herself at whim- wouldn't it be easier to change her life to stay with Austen? That tension informs much of the story.
This is a hard science fiction story on a small, intimate scale. No galactic empires will be toppled, or dystopic regimes overcome. We don't even learn much about Earth of the 24th century, except that it's prosperous, pastel colored, and advanced technology has been used to make people’s lives better, rather than create the sort of meathook future transhumanist writers like Varley would.
It is also cheerfully, matter of factly, diverse. Neither of the main characters are American or white, and even outside of body modifications, the larger cast is obviously from a variety of ethnicities. Pride interestingly still exists, but there is no sign of prejudice based on gender or sexual orientation. Even Austen faces not discrimination at the university, but the offer of accommodation, and a comfortable life on basic income and disability- and her pointing out how that may not be desirable is a major element of the series.
The issues and decisions the characters make are gripping without a huge dramatic background. And the final decision Sunati faces, which may gives the choice of giving up a dream or separating her from Austen, doesn't need a dramatic setting to be vitally important to both the couple, and the reader.
The first episode of Always Human is HERE.
