Comments on: Barnacle

By: Thistle

Thistle — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 19:56:21 +0000

This is so powerful, it feels so real. I was repeatedly on the verge of tears reading it. It captures so well my fear of where we are, where we are going, and the power of every small act communities do to help each other survive, despite the hostility of the capitalist system we live in.

By: Richard Wolfe

Richard Wolfe — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 14:59:19 +0000

Just finished the first draft of my second novel. It’s a different take than yours, a more hopeful take, on the post-apocalypse. The effects of end stage Capitalism plays a big part in my story. Slavery plays a big part. Your story, Kate, is more than dystopian. It is the hell that is being suffered right now by people all over the world. We might not have it as bad in the US, but in my neighborhood, poverty and wage slavery is the lot of so many people. When I started reading, Barnacle, I thought, “Oh, just another of those stories that are so popular in SF now.” But you caught me and drew me in. You did it with sharp characterization and hope. These stories are popular now because we SF writers see the future. We write stories of hope out of desperation and because rebellions are built on hope. Thank you for this.

By: Genevieve.Leet

Genevieve.Leet — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 18:53:40 +0000

So inspired by the environmental and social commentary that sparkles as narrative on the page.

The family relationships between Rose, Leon, and Tai are so touching and grounded, especially enjoyed and got a big flash of understanding at Tai waving Rose away when the sentinals show up to bully at the school.

I’m haunted by the details of the complementary cigarettes and mandatory 2-min gratitude meditation. Gloria’s story was a powerful inclusion as well.

Love the themes of non-violent resistance and knowledge as power.

Thank you for sharing this story!

By: Jenny Islander

Jenny Islander — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 08:15:19 +0000

Rereading this, I was struck by the little detail of somebody who grew up in the city before it was flooded not having a name for the statue of the man “with a rolled-up piece of paper in his hand.” My first thought was Christopher Columbus because killdeers are American birds and the names of the characters appear to be North American. Imagine being North American and not knowing who Columbus was. Imagine how much history you would have to not know, not to have a clue–as a grown adult–who Columbus was. What a deft way to show the depth of the failure of the former state.

By: opentheyear

opentheyear — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 19:58:05 +0000

oh, this is lovely. thank you kate elliott, we need all the hopepunk we can get right now.

By: Gui

Gui — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 17:16:00 +0000

A sharp jolt of hope, fought-for, endured-towards. What a timely release, what a brilliant read.