Miranda by John R. Little

As I started reading, I found myself immediately pulled into the story. Little’s writing style is masterful, drawing you in with each sentence and never letting go. The characters are complex and well-developed. What really sets Miranda apart is its use of the concept of aging backward.

The protagonist’s first memory is of his death, and he lives his life backward while everyone else experiences it in the usual direction. But it’s more than just aging. He remembers his future, but not his past. People talk forward, but he hears backward (at least initially). He can’t form lasting relationships. Think about it. He’d meet people at the end of their time together. They’d be strangers to him, but they’d know him inside and out. And by the time he would get to know them, they would wander off, not caring about him at all.

Things change when he meets Miranda, a backtracker like him. But good things can’t last. This novella (110 pages) is powerful, intellectually stimulating, and emotionally moving. Little’s clear and concise writing conveys a great deal of emotion and avoids unnecessary scenes or wordiness.

Overall, Miranda is a must-read for fans of weird fiction and stunning, poignant writing. John R. Little has crafted a haunting tale that will stick with you long after you turn the last page.