What do you think?
Rate this book
God Product
Original Fiction, Short Story
On International Women’s Day, several of the best writers in SF/F today reveal new stories inspired by the phrase “Nevertheless, she persisted”, raising their voice in response to a phrase originally meant to silence.
The stories publish on Tor.com all throughout the day of March 8th
On International Women’s Day, several of the best writers in SF/F today reveal new stories inspired by the phrase “Nevertheless, she persisted”, raising their voice in response to a phrase originally meant to silence.
The stories publish on Tor.com all throughout the day of March 8th
5 pages, ebook
First published March 8, 2017
1 person is currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Alyssa Wong
423 books415 followersAlyssa Wong studies fiction in Raleigh, NC, and really, really likes crows. She was a finalist for the 2016 John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer, and her story, “Hungry Daughters of Starving Mothers,” won the 2015 Nebula Award for Best Short Story and the 2016 World Fantasy Award for Short Fiction. Her fiction has been shortlisted for the Pushcart Prize, the Bram Stoker Award, the Locus Award, and the Shirley Jackson Award. Her work has been published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Strange Horizons, Nightmare Magazine, Black Static, and Tor.com, among others.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 14, 2017
She dug with the knife, her heart burning, and the god beneath her sobbed.
more excellent work by tor! this is a linked-theme story project where eleven authors took the now-immortalized sentences regarding elizabeth warren’s senate-floor bouncing: She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted and each structured a story around them. the stories themselves are really short, so i’m not going to write a proper review around them, but you should definitely check them out, and i’ve even left a load of links at the bottom to make it really easy for you. BOOM!
read more about the project here:
http://www.tor.com/2017/03/06/neverth...
links:
Our Faces, Radiant Sisters, Our Faces Full of Light! by Kameron Hurley
God Product by Alyssa Wong
Alchemy by Carrie Vaughn
Persephone by Seanan McGuire
Margot and Rosalind by Charlie Jane Anders
Astronaut by Maria Dahvana Headley
More than Nothing by Nisi Shawl
The Last of the Minotaur Wives by Brooke Bolander
The Jump Rope Rhyme by Jo Walton
Anabasis by Amal El-Mohtar
The Ordinary Woman and the Unquiet Emperor by Catherynne M. Valente
March 28, 2017
Another Tor short story, free online here, that is part of the "Nevertheless, She Persisted" set of flash fiction published March 8, 2017 on Tor.com. Review first posted on Fantasy Literature:
Each person is adopted by a god, but Caroline bitterly resents having been chosen by Nara, a small, quiet god. When the time comes for a powerful god, Hyeon, to choose, Caroline decides to take drastic action to change which god she is bonded to.
Each person is adopted by a god, but Caroline bitterly resents having been chosen by Nara, a small, quiet god. When the time comes for a powerful god, Hyeon, to choose, Caroline decides to take drastic action to change which god she is bonded to.
All of Hyeon’s eyes blinked slowly, in a concentric pattern. How beautiful, thought Caroline. Hyeon was a god: sharp, lean, and bright with power, nothing like Caroline’s small god, whose restrained limbs trembled against the wooden tabletop. “You’ll regret doing this,” said Hyeon. Her voice was quiet, but it rang hard in Caroline’s ears. “The two of you are bonded.”In a few short paragraphs, Alyssa Wong makes some great points about self-image and love. I admire Wong for taking an unexpected path with the theme in this cautionary tale.
Caroline hated having been chosen by a small god, whose presence was so quiet that most people forgot she was there. “I don’t want her,” she told Hyeon. “I want you. Let me prove it to you.”
March 11, 2017
Wow. This was ... weird. *lol* Anyone who has read Alyssa Wong's short stories knows that she likes the macabre and the dark. This short story (and I really mean SHORT) for International Women's Day under the motto "Nevertheless, she persisted" is no different.
This story follows a young girl that has been chosen by a god. But, in her mind, not the right one. So, despite having been warned, she intends to change that, becoming the Chosen One of another god. But is she doing it for the right reasons?
I really can't say more because that would give too much away (always the problem with really short stories). All I can say that this was again dark chand chilling. A line or two more might have been a good idea, but then again I probably didn't need it. The scene unfolded before my inner eye despite how short this was and the message was brought across (I actually like authors, who don't feed me what they want to tell me but let me work it out on my own, to let me make the story be my own in a way).
You can find the free short story *here* .
This story follows a young girl that has been chosen by a god. But, in her mind, not the right one. So, despite having been warned, she intends to change that, becoming the Chosen One of another god. But is she doing it for the right reasons?
I really can't say more because that would give too much away (always the problem with really short stories). All I can say that this was again dark chand chilling. A line or two more might have been a good idea, but then again I probably didn't need it. The scene unfolded before my inner eye despite how short this was and the message was brought across (I actually like authors, who don't feed me what they want to tell me but let me work it out on my own, to let me make the story be my own in a way).
You can find the free short story *here* .
March 21, 2017
Very short, very dark, very inconclusive.
Reminded a bit of the more disturbing and effective Ponies although perhaps focused on other issues.
I liked this, I just wish there had been a bit more.
Reminded a bit of the more disturbing and effective Ponies although perhaps focused on other issues.
I liked this, I just wish there had been a bit more.
April 10, 2020
This was the darkest of the "Nevertheless" stories I've read so far, and it kind of reminded me a bit of one I read a few years ago, Ponies. It is haunting and a bit sad, and pretty dark. I've never read anything else by this author, but this story makes me want to read more.
I can't really go into details because short. And spoilers. But this story is about a young woman, Caroline, who thinks she needs to sacrifice something in order to become something she's not. And the price one pays for that sacrifice. 4 stars for a stellar and haunting short story about conformity and image, and identity. Read it for FREE here:
http://www.tor.com/2017/03/08/god-pro...
This is the fourth short story I've read for the "Nevertheless, she persisted" project for International Women's Day on tor.com
I can't really go into details because short. And spoilers. But this story is about a young woman, Caroline, who thinks she needs to sacrifice something in order to become something she's not. And the price one pays for that sacrifice. 4 stars for a stellar and haunting short story about conformity and image, and identity. Read it for FREE here:
http://www.tor.com/2017/03/08/god-pro...
This is the fourth short story I've read for the "Nevertheless, she persisted" project for International Women's Day on tor.com
February 22, 2018
I wish this short story had volumes of books to it rather than a few paragraphs. I'm not satisfied in its length. I want more.
April 2, 2021
I have encountered ten new authoresses, courtesy of the “Tor.com” feminist project: “Nevertheless, She Persisted”. I naturally support this movement and the treat of sampling highly varied works. One hazard of broadening our horizons is peeking behind a curtain that is not for us. I was a bit forewarned by reviewer observations, that Alyssa Wong’s style was dark but did not expect “God Product” to be emotionally disturbing. A clairsentient like me imagines the depths of a slighted character’s feelings, even though they are fictional. I cringed throughout this short story and am writing my feedback right away, so I need not return to it. I hope it does not haunt me.
As is usual with the brevity of this form of writing, we do not know much about how Alyssa’s world works; although I appreciate that she created her own concept from scratch. I feel dismayed to give a single star grade and assure anyone who likes grim scenes, that this is likely entirely attributable to my preference. However, I do not see where strength of the female was represented or empowered, as per the website project’s theme. I guess it is an option for an ending to be evil but my #1 criticism is that there was no relief to the betrayal and horror. All I can conclude is that the main character is sorry for what she did but we cannot tell if it is because her original option became unavailable, or if there was a return to loyalty in her heart. Retrospective regret is too late and remains depressing.
My simple synopsis is: widely disparate Gods choose and bond with this story’s denizens. An obsessively, devilishly selfish, superficial girl is enraptured with a hunky Deity; instead of the gentle Goddess loyally in her life since childhood.
As is usual with the brevity of this form of writing, we do not know much about how Alyssa’s world works; although I appreciate that she created her own concept from scratch. I feel dismayed to give a single star grade and assure anyone who likes grim scenes, that this is likely entirely attributable to my preference. However, I do not see where strength of the female was represented or empowered, as per the website project’s theme. I guess it is an option for an ending to be evil but my #1 criticism is that there was no relief to the betrayal and horror. All I can conclude is that the main character is sorry for what she did but we cannot tell if it is because her original option became unavailable, or if there was a return to loyalty in her heart. Retrospective regret is too late and remains depressing.
My simple synopsis is: widely disparate Gods choose and bond with this story’s denizens. An obsessively, devilishly selfish, superficial girl is enraptured with a hunky Deity; instead of the gentle Goddess loyally in her life since childhood.
July 28, 2018
“She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.“
Very short, tragic. Pretty horrible, actually, when you think about it.
For Women‘s Day in March 2017, can be found here:
https://www.tor.com/2017/03/08/god-pr...
Very short, tragic. Pretty horrible, actually, when you think about it.
For Women‘s Day in March 2017, can be found here:
https://www.tor.com/2017/03/08/god-pr...
March 23, 2017
“Watch me,”
“Don’t look away.”
Watch me,
look only at me.
Heartbreaking, I think everyone will walk away from this with something different.
“Don’t look away.”
Watch me,
look only at me.
Heartbreaking, I think everyone will walk away from this with something different.
April 21, 2018
It's about the trust in one's inner gift.
March 22, 2017
In 501 words (yes, I actually checked) Alyssa Wong manages to completely immerse and invest the reader in a world that leaves the you wanting more. I don't want to write a summary or spoiler because it's so short, but basically God Product deals with a girl who tries to go against fate and what's already set out for her. It has gods, mythology, and a really dark storyline. Alyssa is possibly my favorite short story writer and this newest entry once again proves why.
January 1, 2020
When you forget you pay the price...
April 4, 2017
Very short, but man, it just drew me right in and punched me in gut. Loved it.
December 15, 2018
Story 15 in my 24 Days of Shorts
This was gripping, even excruciating, but ultimately unsatisfying, because it's nothing more than a fragment. I didn't realize it would be so short.
read it for yourself here:
https://www.tor.com/2017/03/08/god-pr...
My 24 Days of Shorts
1. Yiwu by Lavie Tidhar
2. The Night Cyclist by Stephen Graham Jones
3. AI and the Trolley Problem by Pat Cadigan
4. Sleeper by Jo Walton
5. She Commands Me and I Obey by Ann Leckie
6. Your Orisons May Be Recorded by Laurie Penny
7. This World is Full of Monsters by Jeff VanderMeer
8. The Lady Astronaut of Mars by Mary Robinette Kowal
9. Triquetra by Kirstyn McDermott
10. A Human Stain by Kelly Robson
11. Our King and His Court by Rich Larson
12. Errata by Jeff VanderMeer
13. Night's Slow Poison by Ann Leckie
14. A Kiss With Teeth by Max Gladstone
15. God Product by Alyssa Wong
16. Our Faces, Radiant Sisters, Our Faces Full of Light! by Kameron Hurley
17. The Perilous Life of Jade Yeo by Zen Cho
18. The Devil in America by Kai Ashante Wilson
19. Blue is a Darkness Weakened by Light by Sarah McCarry
20. The Too-Clever Fox by Leigh Bardugo
21. Daughter of Necessity by Marie Brennan
22. Red as Blood and White as Bone by Theodora GossRobert Charles Wilson
23. 'Tis the Season by China Miéville
24. Julian: A Christmas Story by Robert Charles Wilson
She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted. As she stood over the god taped down to the kitchen table, Caroline knew this was the only way to win Hyeon’s attention.
This was gripping, even excruciating, but ultimately unsatisfying, because it's nothing more than a fragment. I didn't realize it would be so short.
read it for yourself here:
https://www.tor.com/2017/03/08/god-pr...
My 24 Days of Shorts
1. Yiwu by Lavie Tidhar
2. The Night Cyclist by Stephen Graham Jones
3. AI and the Trolley Problem by Pat Cadigan
4. Sleeper by Jo Walton
5. She Commands Me and I Obey by Ann Leckie
6. Your Orisons May Be Recorded by Laurie Penny
7. This World is Full of Monsters by Jeff VanderMeer
8. The Lady Astronaut of Mars by Mary Robinette Kowal
9. Triquetra by Kirstyn McDermott
10. A Human Stain by Kelly Robson
11. Our King and His Court by Rich Larson
12. Errata by Jeff VanderMeer
13. Night's Slow Poison by Ann Leckie
14. A Kiss With Teeth by Max Gladstone
15. God Product by Alyssa Wong
16. Our Faces, Radiant Sisters, Our Faces Full of Light! by Kameron Hurley
17. The Perilous Life of Jade Yeo by Zen Cho
18. The Devil in America by Kai Ashante Wilson
19. Blue is a Darkness Weakened by Light by Sarah McCarry
20. The Too-Clever Fox by Leigh Bardugo
21. Daughter of Necessity by Marie Brennan
22. Red as Blood and White as Bone by Theodora GossRobert Charles Wilson
23. 'Tis the Season by China Miéville
24. Julian: A Christmas Story by Robert Charles Wilson
December 29, 2020
God Product is an odd short read, under the project "Nevertheless, she persisted". It's hard to pinpoint what it wanted to say and, in the end, it was kind of sad and confusing.
October 12, 2018
The kind of story that leaves you with your breath stuttering in heartbreak, your fingers shaking from an adrenaline spike, feeling like your grief has been carved down into your bones; the kind that leaves you dry-eyed, not because you don’t want desperately to cry your eyes out, but because in your hopelessness there is no point to any of it.
It’s about the cruelty we inflict on others and on our own selves. It’s about wanting and grasping for something else regardless of consequences, never satisfied with what we already have. It’s about not realizing and not appreciating the things we have. It’s about pain and grief. It’s about searching so desperately for others’ approval that we try and erase who we are just so that we can please them. It’s about our choices and how other people’s silence and complicity don’t absolve us of our mistakes, those things don’t make us right, they don’t signal permission for us to be as rash and temperamental as possible.
This, honest to every God out there, wrecked me.
PS: I’m thinking it’s time to build a shrine to Alyssa Wong, Goddess of Horror Short Fiction.
My name, said the small god, is Nara. And I have chosen you, Caroline, because I believe you are special.
It’s about the cruelty we inflict on others and on our own selves. It’s about wanting and grasping for something else regardless of consequences, never satisfied with what we already have. It’s about not realizing and not appreciating the things we have. It’s about pain and grief. It’s about searching so desperately for others’ approval that we try and erase who we are just so that we can please them. It’s about our choices and how other people’s silence and complicity don’t absolve us of our mistakes, those things don’t make us right, they don’t signal permission for us to be as rash and temperamental as possible.
Caroline was already bonded. But Hyeon was about to choose a human companion. If Caroline could have Hyeon, then maybe her family would realize that she was worth just as much as Jinny.
This, honest to every God out there, wrecked me.
PS: I’m thinking it’s time to build a shrine to Alyssa Wong, Goddess of Horror Short Fiction.
August 5, 2018
This piece of fast fiction was great. I really wish it was just a bit longer. This story demonstrates that sometimes we do destructive things to get what we crave without realizing what we already have.
March 10, 2017
Very sad
March 10, 2017
Chills.
January 6, 2018
Short and disturbingly sad. Really good.
January 11, 2018
Gut wrenching. How foolhardy one can be in the pursuit of something that one already has.
April 30, 2018
Not really a short story. More like an idea for a book that was never expanded upon.
November 8, 2018
AGAIN. That hurt me. So much power and emotion for such few words.
November 9, 2018
Oh, man. Dark and sad and strange and transformative, as so much of Wong's work is.
October 18, 2019
Holy Shit! Goosebumps
Read here for free https://www.tor.com/2017/03/08/god-pr...
Read here for free https://www.tor.com/2017/03/08/god-pr...
October 17, 2020
For a story so short it does a lot. I'd love to see this unexpectedly macabre idea expanded into something longer.
January 27, 2021
Alyssa Wong's usual haunting and evocative prose is on full display in this heartbreaking parable. A girl named Caroline sacrifices something precious then realizes it wasn't worth it.
In the world of this story, gods pick humans to bond with. The connection between human and god reminded me of daemons and humans from the His Dark Materials books: a sacred bond wherein the pair share memories, comfort each other, and feel each others pain [literally].
While other stories in this collection have a hopeful angle, this one was dark and brought new meaning to "nevertheless she persisted," because Caroline persisted in destroying something she thought was worthless. It is an interesting take on the idea that persistence can be foolish or even dangerous. But it also speaks to other ideas, such as eroding away parts of yourself to win the approval of others who ultimately don't care. It's the kind of story that will elicit different interpretations by different people. Easily my favorite story in this collection, this one actually didn't feel too short for me, even though it was barely five hundred words.
In the world of this story, gods pick humans to bond with. The connection between human and god reminded me of daemons and humans from the His Dark Materials books: a sacred bond wherein the pair share memories, comfort each other, and feel each others pain [literally].
While other stories in this collection have a hopeful angle, this one was dark and brought new meaning to "nevertheless she persisted," because Caroline persisted in destroying something she thought was worthless. It is an interesting take on the idea that persistence can be foolish or even dangerous. But it also speaks to other ideas, such as eroding away parts of yourself to win the approval of others who ultimately don't care. It's the kind of story that will elicit different interpretations by different people. Easily my favorite story in this collection, this one actually didn't feel too short for me, even though it was barely five hundred words.
September 2, 2020
Oi, this is horrifying. A tiny tale of betrayal, part of a collection of short stories called Nevertheless, She Persisted, published online for free. As beautiful as it is sickening, so much emotion packed into so few words.
September 7, 2021
Một trong 11 truyện ngắn tham gia sự kiện chúc mừng 8/3 của Tor. Tất cả đều do cây bút nữ viết, có nhân vật chính là nữ, và lấy cảm hứng từ 3 câu "She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted." (Cô đã được cảnh báo. Cô đã được giải thích. Tuy vậy, cô vẫn dấn thân." Các truyện này đều quá ngắn (hoàn toàn có thể đọc xong trong 5p) để giới thiệu mà không spoil mất nội dung.
"God Product" là một trong những truyện ngắn sáng giá nhất. Nó là khối chất nổ cảm xúc gói gọn trong 2 trang giấy, với cốt truyện trôi chảy như nước, dồn nén tại điểm cao trào rồi vỡ òa mãnh liệt ở cái kết. Có 3 nhân vật chính và sự hiện diện của họ, dù ít hay nhiều, đều có sức nặng và tiếng nói riêng. Truyện là lời cảnh tỉnh về việc chối từ bản thân để tìm kiếm sự chấp nhận từ những người xung quanh.
Nếu hứng thú, bạn có thể tìm hiểu thêm về tác giả Alyssa Wong. Sẽ có nhiều bất ngờ đấy!
"God Product" là một trong những truyện ngắn sáng giá nhất. Nó là khối chất nổ cảm xúc gói gọn trong 2 trang giấy, với cốt truyện trôi chảy như nước, dồn nén tại điểm cao trào rồi vỡ òa mãnh liệt ở cái kết. Có 3 nhân vật chính và sự hiện diện của họ, dù ít hay nhiều, đều có sức nặng và tiếng nói riêng. Truyện là lời cảnh tỉnh về việc chối từ bản thân để tìm kiếm sự chấp nhận từ những người xung quanh.
Nếu hứng thú, bạn có thể tìm hiểu thêm về tác giả Alyssa Wong. Sẽ có nhiều bất ngờ đấy!
April 15, 2019
So wenige Worte, so viel Schmerz.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews