The End of a Dynasty

[netmouse]

I just read "The End of a Dynasty or The Natural History of Ferrets," by Angelica Gorodischer (translated from the Spanish by Ursula K. Le Guin).

pnh put this story in Starlight 2.

As far as I can tell, the only fantasy element in it is that the society it's set in is made up. But somehow it's one of the best stories I've read in ages. I like it a good deal, and I recommend you read it if you get the chance.

It has much wisdom in it, of the sort a little boy might need to know, to become a good emperor. And of the sort any people might ought to think about, when participating in a constructed reality such as we all do.

Comments

[pnh.livejournal.com]

"The End of a Dynasty" is actually part of a longer work by Gorodischer called Kalpa Imperial, now available in English (translated by Le Guin) from Small Beer Press.

[netmouse.livejournal.com]

"The End of a Dynasty" is actually part of a longer work by Gorodischer called Kalpa Imperial, now available in English (translated by Le Guin) from Small Beer Press.

That's terrific. I saw the note at the bottom of the story saying it was an excerpt. I was wondering if Le Guin had translated the whole thing or just the story. I'll have to seek it out, thanks.