Author Language English Publication type Magazine | Country United States Genre(s) Science fiction | |
Published in Analog Science Fiction and Fact | ||
‘Hello,’ Said the Stick is a science fiction short story published in 2002 by Michael Swanwick. It was nominated for the 2003 Hugo Award for Best Short Story as well as the 2003 Locus Award.
Plot summary
Set in a distant future where the Earth's ex-colonies have turned the planet into a steampunkish, pseudo-medieval wasteland in order to stop their technological advancement, particularly in weapons, the story follows a foot soldier who is going to join the Iron Duke's army to help him in his siege at Port Morningstar, a town held by the despotic Council of Seven. Along the way he finds a talking stick which convinces him to take it with him.
References
'Hello,' Said the Stick Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA