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Crewel World #0.5
The Department of Alterations
In a world woven of secrets, a woman seeks a back-alley tailor for a sinister procedure, but she can't escape from her own tangled web of lies.
The women of Arras are expected to fall into assigned roles, serve as loving wives, and provide healthy children into the world's tapestry. But perfection comes at a price and not even the looms of Arras can manipulate away every problem in the fabric of life. Something Karoline Swander knows all too well. She has a respectable job, an important husband, and she's about to commit treason.
The women of Arras are expected to fall into assigned roles, serve as loving wives, and provide healthy children into the world's tapestry. But perfection comes at a price and not even the looms of Arras can manipulate away every problem in the fabric of life. Something Karoline Swander knows all too well. She has a respectable job, an important husband, and she's about to commit treason.
44 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 25, 2012
7 people are currently reading
1271 people want to read
About the author
Gennifer Albin
30 books1,019 followers****Guess what?! I am writing YA again! Check out Gennifer Albin writing as Geneva Lee and my new series GILT: By Invitation Only coming May 31!****
***HEADS UP REVIEWERS: I don't respond to review requests sent through Goodreads because I don't get on here frequently enough. However, it's super easy to fill out the review request form. I can't guarantee it will get you a copy, but it will get your name on the right list to the right people! And thank you for your interest.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/v...
BIO: I like coffee. A lot. Writing gives me time to go get a cup without my kids. I like books as much as I like coffee, but it is easier to read with children hanging on you than drink coffee due to the threat of third degree burns. That's why coffee gets top billing in my intro: its unattainability.
I hold a Masters in English with a specialization in 18th century women's studies. While this is a highly marketable area of expertise, I stay home with my kids, which means my 3 year-old son uses correct grammar and doesn't burn down the house.
I have a ridiculously supportive husband who dreams of being included on a book jacket: "The author lives in Kansas with her husband, two children, and a Tuesday cat."
***HEADS UP REVIEWERS: I don't respond to review requests sent through Goodreads because I don't get on here frequently enough. However, it's super easy to fill out the review request form. I can't guarantee it will get you a copy, but it will get your name on the right list to the right people! And thank you for your interest.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/v...
BIO: I like coffee. A lot. Writing gives me time to go get a cup without my kids. I like books as much as I like coffee, but it is easier to read with children hanging on you than drink coffee due to the threat of third degree burns. That's why coffee gets top billing in my intro: its unattainability.
I hold a Masters in English with a specialization in 18th century women's studies. While this is a highly marketable area of expertise, I stay home with my kids, which means my 3 year-old son uses correct grammar and doesn't burn down the house.
I have a ridiculously supportive husband who dreams of being included on a book jacket: "The author lives in Kansas with her husband, two children, and a Tuesday cat."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
June 29, 2018
+ 1 star: Clear writing.
+ 1 star: Engaging.
+ 1 star: Dystopia.
+ 1 star: Emotional character.
+ 1 star: This is a very special feministic star. 'cause obviously this novelette is about women being downtrodden, blah-blah.
+ 1 star: There is supposedly novel world somewhere out there in this series. I didn't notice it beyond separate distorted glimpses but I am willing to give it the benefit of the doubt, this time around.
- 1 star: What's going on? Who are these people? What's with the total lack of introducing the world? Is it the new vogue? I'm supposed to guess what kind of mess they have in that fucked up country of theirs?
- 1 star: If the books need to be read in specific order to be able to make heads or tails of whatever is going on, it should be written somewhere. Preferably in the introduction to the book!
- 1 star: So what was this all about? Made precious little sense. What was this I just read?
- 1 star: What IS that on the cover? It's one of the nastiest ever!
+ 1 star: Engaging.
+ 1 star: Dystopia.
+ 1 star: Emotional character.
+ 1 star: This is a very special feministic star. 'cause obviously this novelette is about women being downtrodden, blah-blah.
+ 1 star: There is supposedly novel world somewhere out there in this series. I didn't notice it beyond separate distorted glimpses but I am willing to give it the benefit of the doubt, this time around.
- 1 star: What's going on? Who are these people? What's with the total lack of introducing the world? Is it the new vogue? I'm supposed to guess what kind of mess they have in that fucked up country of theirs?
- 1 star: If the books need to be read in specific order to be able to make heads or tails of whatever is going on, it should be written somewhere. Preferably in the introduction to the book!
- 1 star: So what was this all about? Made precious little sense. What was this I just read?
- 1 star: What IS that on the cover? It's one of the nastiest ever!
August 15, 2021
The world of Arras has a both past and future feel. It feels dystopian yet it feels like it could be the 1950s. I have read couple other stories set in this world and it's a bit of a gamble with these stories. Whilst one story I really loved, the other I wasn't too impressed with and this was also not impressive at all.
Cormac Patton makes a comeback in this and he was as cruel as I remembered him from the previous story that I read. I didn't mind the writing but the story itself wasn't very captivating. I love that creepy cover though.
2 stars
Cormac Patton makes a comeback in this and he was as cruel as I remembered him from the previous story that I read. I didn't mind the writing but the story itself wasn't very captivating. I love that creepy cover though.
2 stars
March 12, 2015
With my lovelies, Karly & Kristin
a is for Albin
So this tor short falls somewhere in the middle of the pack. The artwork is exquisite!
But the story is just kinda meh.
The problem with this short is that it is a prequel to Albin's Crewel series which I have never read, and this short draws its world and characters from that novel. As I haven't read it, I was a little clueless about the kind of world that exists here as I wouldn't classify this short as a standalone. So with that being said, I probably would have rated this one higher if I'd known anything about the Crewel world. However, what this short did was made me interested in picking up that series sometime in the future because from what I gathered here, I would like to know more about the dystopia that is depicted here. I became somewhat invested in these characters, or at least their stories, and I would like to know what becomes of them.
Basically, this story tells of a dystopian future where women are meant to look pretty and have babies. Lots of babies. And there are people who weave the fabric of life. If a woman cannot have a baby, then the fabric of life says that it is so, and she must go about trying to fix that. But it leads to trouble. This is where I kind of got confused, because I think the reader needs to rely on knowledge that is given in the first book, and I had a hard time trying to figure out the how and why of it all since I didn't have that knowledge beforehand. Karoline is married to Max and she cannot have children. And that is very upsetting for Max because the number of children a man has is directly related to his social and political status. To have a wife but no children is very bad indeed. But a wife that is willing to go out and change that is even worse. Karoline decides to see a "tailor" about a procedure called a "patching." I kind of likened it to having a backstreet abortion, but the woman is receiving a baby instead of giving one up. Anywhoo, problems ensue for Karoline when her husband finds out. I felt a little bit for Karoline, and thus for women in this world, as she is caught between a rock and a hard place. She's damned if she can't have children, but damned if she tries to take matters into her own hands and do something about it.
It wasn't the first time he had voiced his shame over their familial status, but it still sucked the air from her lungs, leaving only the ache of future tears in her chest."
The writing was decent. Nothing out of this world fantastic here, but Albin definitely had some beautiful phrases going on at times. Like I said, I am definitely interested in reading at least the first book of this series, even if just to get a taste of this different world, which from what I've read, has the potential to bring something interesting and unique to the hugely overcrowded table of young adult dystopian fiction. So we'll see. Until then, a solid three.
Read it for FREE here:
http://www.tor.com/stories/2012/09/th...
November 30, 2012
The Department of Alterations is a short story that occurs prior to the events in Crewel. Karoline Swander is the wife of an influential man and they've been unable to have a child. (Of course, it's all her fault, right...Excuse me while I get sick). Sorry, back to the story. She has used up all of her legal options so she goes to a 'tailor' who may be able to help her get pregnant. It doesn't end well.
I enjoyed re-visiting the strange and awful world of Arras. The more I read about it, though, it is becoming clear that women really are second class citizens and men have all the real power. I hope this will start to change as Ms. Albin continues the Crewel series.
Karoline's story was briefly mentioned at the beginning of Crewel and it was interesting to get more details. Cormac, one of the powerful men of Crewel, makes a brief appearance. He really is a scumbag. If I had any doubt this story confirmed that for me. And, Karoline's husband Max is quite the stereotypical D-Bag himself.
Just a quick note about the cover - the cover art for Crewel was gorgeous and soft. This cover is disturbing but it fits the story.
If you enjoyed Crewel and want to read a little more, then go to Tor.com and find this short story. 4/5 stars.
I enjoyed re-visiting the strange and awful world of Arras. The more I read about it, though, it is becoming clear that women really are second class citizens and men have all the real power. I hope this will start to change as Ms. Albin continues the Crewel series.
Karoline's story was briefly mentioned at the beginning of Crewel and it was interesting to get more details. Cormac, one of the powerful men of Crewel, makes a brief appearance. He really is a scumbag. If I had any doubt this story confirmed that for me. And, Karoline's husband Max is quite the stereotypical D-Bag himself.
Just a quick note about the cover - the cover art for Crewel was gorgeous and soft. This cover is disturbing but it fits the story.
If you enjoyed Crewel and want to read a little more, then go to Tor.com and find this short story. 4/5 stars.
January 26, 2018
Wow. An incredible story that makes me want to read more, to know more. I'm very curious about the rest of the series. I'll definitely have to give it a read when I can!
December 3, 2016
Creeptastic. 2.5 stars.
Feels part of a larger story.
Feels part of a larger story.
November 13, 2013
I liked this look into an average female living in the male-dominating world of Arras.
I've read Crewel and I'm savoring Altered (reading with lots I breaks in between because I don't want it to end!). It makes perfect sense to me and you'll see Deniel again in "Altered".
Poor Karoline... And What a bastard of a husband she got stuck with!
This side story also helps me to visualize the citizens of Arras as "human beings" and not mindless drones.
Although Albin (eventually) provides us with a detailed account of the world she created, I tend to forget that "people" not directly dealt with in the book are "normal", with real live human emotions and problems. Maybe because the setting of "Crewel World" is based on people of power (men, in this case) controlling the world they live in down to its very strand of matter.
If you haven't read Gennifer Albin's debut novel "Crewel" that begins the series, give it a try. It's definitely one of my new favorites, and Top 5 in YA Fiction.
I've read Crewel and I'm savoring Altered (reading with lots I breaks in between because I don't want it to end!). It makes perfect sense to me and you'll see Deniel again in "Altered".
Poor Karoline... And What a bastard of a husband she got stuck with!
This side story also helps me to visualize the citizens of Arras as "human beings" and not mindless drones.
Although Albin (eventually) provides us with a detailed account of the world she created, I tend to forget that "people" not directly dealt with in the book are "normal", with real live human emotions and problems. Maybe because the setting of "Crewel World" is based on people of power (men, in this case) controlling the world they live in down to its very strand of matter.
If you haven't read Gennifer Albin's debut novel "Crewel" that begins the series, give it a try. It's definitely one of my new favorites, and Top 5 in YA Fiction.
December 26, 2012
While I felt this story added a little more depth to Crewel, I'm not sure it was depth that was truly needed. It was definitely nice to get a little more information about the incident Atalice and her family reference, this *very* short story (I read it in a digital format, but I doubt it was more than 10 pages)adds very little to the story. As many others have noted, this story does not stand alone- if you have not read Crewel you will understand this story but will walk away unimpressed.
As a sidenote, I'm getting really sick of these short stories- Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi, Hana by Lauren Olivier and countless other "novellas" do very little to add to their respective series and seem more like a marketing ploy than anything else.
As a sidenote, I'm getting really sick of these short stories- Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi, Hana by Lauren Olivier and countless other "novellas" do very little to add to their respective series and seem more like a marketing ploy than anything else.
January 31, 2015
I picked this one for the nice red cover (I'm shallow, I know).
A short story set in a sexist dystopian society. I didn't read the main novel, but I guess women are second class citizens here. I felt sorry for Karoline (wife of a man with a high position in the society), trying to get illegal treatment for her fertility problem, behind her husband's back (as it was her fault). The bastard doesn't want to adopt 'cause God forbid someone of his influential friends discovers his wife is barren (* SPOILER: no surprise when we find he was the one with the problem). The bastards here seem to change wives as dirty socks.
Link here:http://www.tor.com/stories/2012/09/th...
A short story set in a sexist dystopian society. I didn't read the main novel, but I guess women are second class citizens here. I felt sorry for Karoline (wife of a man with a high position in the society), trying to get illegal treatment for her fertility problem, behind her husband's back (as it was her fault). The bastard doesn't want to adopt 'cause God forbid someone of his influential friends discovers his wife is barren (* SPOILER: no surprise when we find he was the one with the problem). The bastards here seem to change wives as dirty socks.
Link here:http://www.tor.com/stories/2012/09/th...
January 9, 2018
Meh. I read this strictly for the cover art. Shallow, I know, but my hair is similar to the picture, although I have no idea why there's a bird in her mouth.
This is supposedly a prequel to a dystopian novel.
In this world:
1. Women have no status, no power.
2. The weavers of the threads of life can alter the overall tapestry of time.
3. Everything is based on a sinister political machine.
4. The main character can't have a baby, thus disappointing her husband and worse, brings shame to him.
5. The husband is a cold rat bastard.
So ho hum, nothing new here. Nothing at all. Margaret Atwood did this much better with The Handmaid's Tale.
This is supposedly a prequel to a dystopian novel.
In this world:
1. Women have no status, no power.
2. The weavers of the threads of life can alter the overall tapestry of time.
3. Everything is based on a sinister political machine.
4. The main character can't have a baby, thus disappointing her husband and worse, brings shame to him.
5. The husband is a cold rat bastard.
So ho hum, nothing new here. Nothing at all. Margaret Atwood did this much better with The Handmaid's Tale.
June 21, 2018
The Department of Alterations was nothing like what I expected. I think this story was meant to clarify what the 'accident' with Amie's instructor, mentioned in Crewel. It could have been great, but I had little clue what was happening. It did manage to get me on the verge of tears and writhing with anger at one point, so I was impressed that it evoked such strong feelings in me, but I was mostly just confused.
For an extra look into the world of Arras, I think it was worth a read. If you have read the any of the Crewel World series, it might interest you.
For an extra look into the world of Arras, I think it was worth a read. If you have read the any of the Crewel World series, it might interest you.
August 3, 2016
1 to 1.5 Stars at best.
Welp, this was rather, um, disappointing I should say in the least.
Of course this might be attributed to the fact that I haven't read the novel that follows this prequel, Crewel . So please bare with me here, I only read this because its short and fast and I can usually tell if I want to read the series or novel, makes it easier for me than picking up the novel and having to input what I liked and didn't like.
It might be the site where this was hosted, but the formatting was a bit ajar-ring (gah apparently I'm spelling words that make zero sense, just as about much as this story did unfortunately). It felt--nay, fell flat. I liked the first bit, but the stuff in-between took away from the story. Might be how this was executed and the writing style that rubbed me the wrong, I have not idea. The transition just was choppy, it didn't flow (although it was nice to see where and how she ended up there).
But to be honest this felt very The Handmaid's Tale -ish to me. You know the one by Atwood? I really loathed that book. I liked the aspects of it, but it just frustrated me and want to throw the book out the window and into the snow. THIS is what this prequel made me feel. I felt like I was back in that same tone of storytelling.
Although the whole matter and aspect of what was given in regards to her husband really disgusts me, hence the 1.5 to 2 stars. I think that, the tailor and his patchwork talk, and the cover is what saved it for me. It's just unfortunate that the character felt flat and the tone took me back to Handmaid's Tale, like UGH.......I really wanted to like you book, its frustrates me to no end!!
Personally, if this served as a prologue then a chapter or two from the novel, then it might have worked out better for me. Instead this pretty much had me floating along, just plain lost in everything and curious (about the tailor and patchworks) but it fell short when it ended. Hence the confuzzled feeling I'm having. That and the fact it felt like I got ripped off. There wasn't enough substance, and it makes me sad.
So no I will not be continuing this serieswhich is unfortunate considering the premise blurb on Crewel looked promising.
Just an unfortunate confusing mess for me. *le sigh* :/
Welp, this was rather, um, disappointing I should say in the least.
Of course this might be attributed to the fact that I haven't read the novel that follows this prequel, Crewel . So please bare with me here, I only read this because its short and fast and I can usually tell if I want to read the series or novel, makes it easier for me than picking up the novel and having to input what I liked and didn't like.
It might be the site where this was hosted, but the formatting was a bit ajar-ring (gah apparently I'm spelling words that make zero sense, just as about much as this story did unfortunately). It felt--nay, fell flat. I liked the first bit, but the stuff in-between took away from the story. Might be how this was executed and the writing style that rubbed me the wrong, I have not idea. The transition just was choppy, it didn't flow (although it was nice to see where and how she ended up there).
But to be honest this felt very The Handmaid's Tale -ish to me. You know the one by Atwood? I really loathed that book. I liked the aspects of it, but it just frustrated me and want to throw the book out the window and into the snow. THIS is what this prequel made me feel. I felt like I was back in that same tone of storytelling.
Although the whole matter and aspect of what was given in regards to her husband really disgusts me, hence the 1.5 to 2 stars. I think that, the tailor and his patchwork talk, and the cover is what saved it for me. It's just unfortunate that the character felt flat and the tone took me back to Handmaid's Tale, like UGH.......I really wanted to like you book, its frustrates me to no end!!
Personally, if this served as a prologue then a chapter or two from the novel, then it might have worked out better for me. Instead this pretty much had me floating along, just plain lost in everything and curious (about the tailor and patchworks) but it fell short when it ended. Hence the confuzzled feeling I'm having. That and the fact it felt like I got ripped off. There wasn't enough substance, and it makes me sad.
So no I will not be continuing this series
Just an unfortunate confusing mess for me. *le sigh* :/
March 9, 2015
Read for free on Tor.com!
Interesting! I liked how it tied in to Crewel and the very beginning of the story. (Totally forgot Mrs. Swander's name, but I remember her disappearance now!) It's a creepy thought that Arras really does run like that, but such is a dystopian novel!! That's what makes it interesting. I always enjoy seeing very minor characters and their stories come to life because it really adds that extra layer to a book or series. Very interesting and heartbreaking to see the frightening turns this society has taken.
Posted with other mini-reviews, as originally seen on The Book Addict's Guide: The Department of Alterations was a short story that took place actually at the very beginning of CREWEL. We get an glimpse at a story from a different character, one that I actually totally forgot about, but I really liked seeing that different side!
WHAT I LIKED
•I always love reading a short story/novella/extra that takes place DURING the main novel and from another character’s POV. It was really interesting to see this one! I always like thinking that the authors have to write these snippets just to get a story going from another character to have everything fit together and it fascinates me!
•I liked seeing pieces fit together. There were some questions intentionally left open in CREWEL about this character and here we get some answers about what happened to her.
•More backstory! Always always more world building and information
WHAT I WAS MISSING
This is solely from the POV of a completely minor character so while I wasn’t really missing it, you don’t get any interaction with the MAIN characters. It also seemed really short (whereas others feel like complete stories) so just be prepared that you’re not getting a full, separate plot on this one. It’s definitely additional information, but new and exciting all the same!
Interesting! I liked how it tied in to Crewel and the very beginning of the story. (Totally forgot Mrs. Swander's name, but I remember her disappearance now!) It's a creepy thought that Arras really does run like that, but such is a dystopian novel!! That's what makes it interesting. I always enjoy seeing very minor characters and their stories come to life because it really adds that extra layer to a book or series. Very interesting and heartbreaking to see the frightening turns this society has taken.
Posted with other mini-reviews, as originally seen on The Book Addict's Guide: The Department of Alterations was a short story that took place actually at the very beginning of CREWEL. We get an glimpse at a story from a different character, one that I actually totally forgot about, but I really liked seeing that different side!
WHAT I LIKED
•I always love reading a short story/novella/extra that takes place DURING the main novel and from another character’s POV. It was really interesting to see this one! I always like thinking that the authors have to write these snippets just to get a story going from another character to have everything fit together and it fascinates me!
•I liked seeing pieces fit together. There were some questions intentionally left open in CREWEL about this character and here we get some answers about what happened to her.
•More backstory! Always always more world building and information
WHAT I WAS MISSING
This is solely from the POV of a completely minor character so while I wasn’t really missing it, you don’t get any interaction with the MAIN characters. It also seemed really short (whereas others feel like complete stories) so just be prepared that you’re not getting a full, separate plot on this one. It’s definitely additional information, but new and exciting all the same!
August 13, 2013
Ok first of all, this cover really freaks me out. I still haven't really been able to figure out what in the world it has to do with anything, and I'm a little weirded out that it looks like she's surrounded by intestines and there's a bird coming out of her mouth. I like that it's dark and creepy, because the story is kind of dark, but I just don't really get it other than that.
That being said, I really enjoyed this story! I think reading Crewel first really helped with that, because otherwise I would have been so confused. Mrs. Swander is a very minor character in Crewel (so minor that only her name is mentioned - we never see her), but I think it's really interesting to actually find out what happened to her. It's actually kind of sad, and I totally feel for her. Poor girl.
Since this story is so short, we really only get to see the events that are happening and directly led up to her acts of treason. Although I do wish this story was longer, I was amazed at how we get such a good picture of Karoline in such a short amount of time. Albin's writing is incredible, and I loved seeing more of the world that she developed in Crewel. Everything might seem perfect, but there are still problems and there are still those who are willing to go around the law and sell services that most would consider treason.
I would definitely recommend this story to anyone who has read Crewel and wants to learn just a little bit more about the darker side of the world! Especially since it's available to read for free on Tor's website! I wish it was longer, but it was still nicely done and well paced. A 3/5 on this little story.
That being said, I really enjoyed this story! I think reading Crewel first really helped with that, because otherwise I would have been so confused. Mrs. Swander is a very minor character in Crewel (so minor that only her name is mentioned - we never see her), but I think it's really interesting to actually find out what happened to her. It's actually kind of sad, and I totally feel for her. Poor girl.
Since this story is so short, we really only get to see the events that are happening and directly led up to her acts of treason. Although I do wish this story was longer, I was amazed at how we get such a good picture of Karoline in such a short amount of time. Albin's writing is incredible, and I loved seeing more of the world that she developed in Crewel. Everything might seem perfect, but there are still problems and there are still those who are willing to go around the law and sell services that most would consider treason.
I would definitely recommend this story to anyone who has read Crewel and wants to learn just a little bit more about the darker side of the world! Especially since it's available to read for free on Tor's website! I wish it was longer, but it was still nicely done and well paced. A 3/5 on this little story.
August 11, 2018
3/5 Estrellas
El Departamento de Alteraciones es una historia corta escrita por Gennifer Albin en el mismo mundo de su saga Las Tejedoras de Destinos (Crewel), ha publicado muchas historias cortas como esta desafortunadamente por ahora solo están en inglés.
La historia nos lleva a la historia real tras el “accidente” de Karoline Swander y como la perfección juega un papel importante en el mundo de Crewel, a través de la narración se nos brinda un poco más de información sobre este mundo y de cierta forma una nueva perspectiva de a qué nivel llega la necesidad de que todo será perfecto para las mujeres de Arras, seré honesta si nunca leyeron Tejedoras de Destino se sentirán perdidas con esta historia y no se enteraran de que ocurre con los tejidos.
Esta lectura en particular no me resulto sencilla ni tan rápida como esperaba, no porque sea difícil de leer sino porque hacía mucho que leí el libro y tuve que buscar quien era Karoline Swander además aunque ya me esperaba lo que pasaría en la historia igual fue un poco desconcertante en algunas partes por lo que recomiendo leer al menos uno de los libros antes de pasarse por esta historia y si no les gustan los detalles más retorcidos de este mundo quizá esta historia no sea para ustedes.
El Departamento de Alteraciones es una lectura ideal para quienes buscan un poco más de este mundo pero no es necesaria ni realmente relevante para la historia solo es una probadita más.
El Departamento de Alteraciones es una historia corta escrita por Gennifer Albin en el mismo mundo de su saga Las Tejedoras de Destinos (Crewel), ha publicado muchas historias cortas como esta desafortunadamente por ahora solo están en inglés.
La historia nos lleva a la historia real tras el “accidente” de Karoline Swander y como la perfección juega un papel importante en el mundo de Crewel, a través de la narración se nos brinda un poco más de información sobre este mundo y de cierta forma una nueva perspectiva de a qué nivel llega la necesidad de que todo será perfecto para las mujeres de Arras, seré honesta si nunca leyeron Tejedoras de Destino se sentirán perdidas con esta historia y no se enteraran de que ocurre con los tejidos.
Esta lectura en particular no me resulto sencilla ni tan rápida como esperaba, no porque sea difícil de leer sino porque hacía mucho que leí el libro y tuve que buscar quien era Karoline Swander además aunque ya me esperaba lo que pasaría en la historia igual fue un poco desconcertante en algunas partes por lo que recomiendo leer al menos uno de los libros antes de pasarse por esta historia y si no les gustan los detalles más retorcidos de este mundo quizá esta historia no sea para ustedes.
El Departamento de Alteraciones es una lectura ideal para quienes buscan un poco más de este mundo pero no es necesaria ni realmente relevante para la historia solo es una probadita más.
April 27, 2013
Je pense que la nouvelle donne tout de suite le ton. C’est un monde à tendance dystopique, au sens où la répression et le contrôle sont très présents, ainsi que l’utilisation des femmes à des fins reproductrices, comme le laisse envisager la présentation.
L’histoire semble très injuste, Karoline doit attendre des autorisations pour faire une sorte de chirurgie pour régler ses problèmes de stérilité, mais elle est trop âgée pour ça. On lui dit de tenter une sorte d’adoption, son mari refuse. Et si le problème venait de lui ? Personne ne semble envisager la question.
On ne sait pas exactement ce que Karoline demande au tailleur, le flou met mal à l’aise. Elle demande à ce qu’on arrange son utérus, qu’on lui implante un embryon d’une femme que le tailleur viendrait de faire avorter ? Les deux sont possibles selon l’interprétation qu’on fait des paroles obscures du tailleur et ils viennent renforcer notre malaise à l’encontre du monde qu’on décrit.
Au final, la nouvelle nous présente un monde peu rassurant où tout peut être manipulé mais elle donne envie d’en savoir plus, de voir comment une héroïne pourrait changer un monde où il est si facile de manipuler la trame de la vie.
L’histoire semble très injuste, Karoline doit attendre des autorisations pour faire une sorte de chirurgie pour régler ses problèmes de stérilité, mais elle est trop âgée pour ça. On lui dit de tenter une sorte d’adoption, son mari refuse. Et si le problème venait de lui ? Personne ne semble envisager la question.
On ne sait pas exactement ce que Karoline demande au tailleur, le flou met mal à l’aise. Elle demande à ce qu’on arrange son utérus, qu’on lui implante un embryon d’une femme que le tailleur viendrait de faire avorter ? Les deux sont possibles selon l’interprétation qu’on fait des paroles obscures du tailleur et ils viennent renforcer notre malaise à l’encontre du monde qu’on décrit.
Au final, la nouvelle nous présente un monde peu rassurant où tout peut être manipulé mais elle donne envie d’en savoir plus, de voir comment une héroïne pourrait changer un monde où il est si facile de manipuler la trame de la vie.
December 31, 2013
This short little story was a bit confusing to me possibly because I haven't read Crewel yet. The dates published are indicative that this should be read first. Still I enjoyed the story, strange though it may be. The strangeness begins with the most unusual cover. Guess that, too, is indicative of such a strange world Albin creates.
The story starts off with what I think is a sensual scene, come to find out Karoline is in the "tailor's" office to get help becoming pregnant. Her husband is a real jerk and assumes the lack of baby is his wife's fault. He is a real non-empathetic "husband." Karoline did not, could not, tell her husband of the procedure she was having, of being "patched." As the story continues there are things that lead up to Karoline committing treason.
Recommendation This story is definitely on the dark side and won't be for everyone. I was reminded of the day before abortions were legalized in CA and women would go to creeps, butchers, whoever they could find to get a "procedure" done on the black market. I plan to continue with Crewel and see how I like it from there.
The story starts off with what I think is a sensual scene, come to find out Karoline is in the "tailor's" office to get help becoming pregnant. Her husband is a real jerk and assumes the lack of baby is his wife's fault. He is a real non-empathetic "husband." Karoline did not, could not, tell her husband of the procedure she was having, of being "patched." As the story continues there are things that lead up to Karoline committing treason.
Recommendation This story is definitely on the dark side and won't be for everyone. I was reminded of the day before abortions were legalized in CA and women would go to creeps, butchers, whoever they could find to get a "procedure" done on the black market. I plan to continue with Crewel and see how I like it from there.
February 28, 2018
Porqué era necesario éste libro? Alguien podría explicarme? Es absolutamente ridículo, no explica nada importante. Cuenta la historia de la maestra de Amie, esa que tuvo un accidente, la recuerdan? Sí, yo tampoco. Saben porqué? Porque era un personaje insignificante y contar su historia es irrelevante. Además no tiene nada que ver con el título. Sinceramente, estaba emocionada, creí que iba a encontrar algo diferente. Pero no, todo fue decepción. En serio.
February 4, 2017
Probably best to read after book 1, though you are tempted to jump right into book 2
May 31, 2017
Weird short story but at least we find out about Amie's teacher and her "accident" backstory from Book 1 Crewel.
June 13, 2017
Nope! Didn't like it at all. 1 from me for the rating...
July 29, 2019
En realidad le iba a dar 2.5 pero no hay medios asi que le pongo 3 por mi número de opiniones sobre la historia.
1. Está historia no es absolutamente necesaria para entender algo del mundo de la saga de Crewel pues cuenta el "accidente" que ocurrió a la maestra de Amie que se nos cuenta en el libro uno y se hace mención en el libro tres.
2. Por el nombre creí que sería algo mas de lleno con los sastres, en verdad quería leer algo más de ellos dentro de la corporación, aunque el enigma de quienes son y que hacen lo hayan resuelto Dante y Erik.
3. La perspectiva de lo imperfecto dentro de lo perfecto me ha gustado. Más aún el hecho de que quién tiene que lidiar y asumir la culpa es una mujer, que en este caso terminan por "accidentarla".
•••••••
Actually I wanted to put it 2.5 but here is no half points so I give it 3 for the number of my opinions about the story.
1. This story is not absolutely necessary to understand something about the Crewel Saga, here we know the "accident" that occurred to Amie's teacher that happened in book one and mention is made in book three.
2. By the name I thought it was going to be something about the tailors, I truly wanted to know more about them into the corporation, although the enigma of who they are and what they have done is solved by Dante and Erik in book two.
3. I like the perspective of the imperfection into the perfection. Moreover, the fact that who has to deal with it and take the blame is a woman, who in this case ends up with an "accident".
1. Está historia no es absolutamente necesaria para entender algo del mundo de la saga de Crewel pues cuenta el "accidente" que ocurrió a la maestra de Amie que se nos cuenta en el libro uno y se hace mención en el libro tres.
2. Por el nombre creí que sería algo mas de lleno con los sastres, en verdad quería leer algo más de ellos dentro de la corporación, aunque el enigma de quienes son y que hacen lo hayan resuelto Dante y Erik.
3. La perspectiva de lo imperfecto dentro de lo perfecto me ha gustado. Más aún el hecho de que quién tiene que lidiar y asumir la culpa es una mujer, que en este caso terminan por "accidentarla".
•••••••
Actually I wanted to put it 2.5 but here is no half points so I give it 3 for the number of my opinions about the story.
1. This story is not absolutely necessary to understand something about the Crewel Saga, here we know the "accident" that occurred to Amie's teacher that happened in book one and mention is made in book three.
2. By the name I thought it was going to be something about the tailors, I truly wanted to know more about them into the corporation, although the enigma of who they are and what they have done is solved by Dante and Erik in book two.
3. I like the perspective of the imperfection into the perfection. Moreover, the fact that who has to deal with it and take the blame is a woman, who in this case ends up with an "accident".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2016
I'd read this short novella as a part of the Fierce Reads Anthologies although I think it's actually available for free from Tor.Com. This story was confusing for me, having not read the Crewel series by Gennifer Albin, but I would imagine it would really appeal to readers of the series but for me it served as a really wonderful taster of the world Albin has created in her series, which I immediately want to read!
Reaching a very tiny, even for a novella, 32 pages this extract features Karoline Swander, a woman with an important husband and a web of secrets; she's also about to add one more - she's having a black market procedure done to help her have children.
Not much more than this happens, but there are so many interesting hints at what the series has in store for us - it sounds like a unique take on dystopia so I'm excited to tie this story into the larger plot once I get started.
I definitely recommend this to fans of Crewel, the first in the series, and to those readers like me who want to see if it's for them - it had me hooked from the first page!
Reaching a very tiny, even for a novella, 32 pages this extract features Karoline Swander, a woman with an important husband and a web of secrets; she's also about to add one more - she's having a black market procedure done to help her have children.
Not much more than this happens, but there are so many interesting hints at what the series has in store for us - it sounds like a unique take on dystopia so I'm excited to tie this story into the larger plot once I get started.
I definitely recommend this to fans of Crewel, the first in the series, and to those readers like me who want to see if it's for them - it had me hooked from the first page!
July 22, 2013
Más que una historia corta es una historia muy corta pero que sin duda no te deja indiferente ya que cuando la lees te das cuenta de la presión a la que se ve sometida una persona "imperfecta" en un mundo tan "perfecto" como es Arras.
Nuestra protagonista es Karoline Swander, que para quien haya leído "Las Tejedoras de Destinos" le puede sonar más como "Señora Swander", la profesora de Amie (a la cual se la menciona en los primeros capítulos).
La verdad es que es una historia que aporta poco y mucho a la vez a la historia del primer libro, ya que no es una historia que introduzca a personajes activos del libro (sólo aparece Cormac) pero sí nos proporciona otro punto de vista de esta sociedad y de lo difícil que es que te escondas cuando todo está extremadamente vigilado por La Sociedad. Además hay un hecho que me ha impactado... pero no sé si lo hizo a propósito la autora o no...
http://chibiakasworld.blogspot.com/20...
Nuestra protagonista es Karoline Swander, que para quien haya leído "Las Tejedoras de Destinos" le puede sonar más como "Señora Swander", la profesora de Amie (a la cual se la menciona en los primeros capítulos).
La verdad es que es una historia que aporta poco y mucho a la vez a la historia del primer libro, ya que no es una historia que introduzca a personajes activos del libro (sólo aparece Cormac) pero sí nos proporciona otro punto de vista de esta sociedad y de lo difícil que es que te escondas cuando todo está extremadamente vigilado por La Sociedad. Además hay un hecho que me ha impactado... pero no sé si lo hizo a propósito la autora o no...
http://chibiakasworld.blogspot.com/20...
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May 18, 2015I'm not sure how to rate "The Department of Alterations" because I spent a lot of time trying to orient myself in the universe, to the point that I didn't connect much with Karoline Swander or the tailor. I found the Crewel World quite interesting, however, and I loved the language of weaving that underpins it (no pun intended).
I empathized with Karoline and I thought her dialogue with the tailor gives a strong sense of the world, but for me, it wasn't enough. I suspect "The Department of Alterations" would work better for someone who's already read Crewel. I might pick it up myself because I think there are some lovely turns of phrase here. In particular, I liked the image of tears as a lump in her chest that she'd deal with in the privacy of her bedroom.
Perhaps once I've read the first book, I'll return to "The Department of Alterations" and I'll be able to write a better review.
I empathized with Karoline and I thought her dialogue with the tailor gives a strong sense of the world, but for me, it wasn't enough. I suspect "The Department of Alterations" would work better for someone who's already read Crewel. I might pick it up myself because I think there are some lovely turns of phrase here. In particular, I liked the image of tears as a lump in her chest that she'd deal with in the privacy of her bedroom.
Perhaps once I've read the first book, I'll return to "The Department of Alterations" and I'll be able to write a better review.
March 6, 2013
The story revolves around Karoline Swander, the wife of an influential man of Arras. I really felt for her. Her husband and her kept trying to have a baby but it wasn't working out -- and, of course it's her fault. Oh, the unfairness of Arras, it's just a sad thing. Even though this story is in third person POV (whereas CREWEL is in first person POV present tense), I still was able to connect with Karoline and her plight.
I liked how this story ended up tying in with CREWEL, too, I really didn't see that coming. If you enjoyed CREWEL and want a taste of Arras again, then I'd recommend this. Adelice isn't in it, but it helps to build the world of Arras in a different way. Plus, it's always hard to wait for a next installment in a series, so just getting a small taste of it again was nice.
I liked how this story ended up tying in with CREWEL, too, I really didn't see that coming. If you enjoyed CREWEL and want a taste of Arras again, then I'd recommend this. Adelice isn't in it, but it helps to build the world of Arras in a different way. Plus, it's always hard to wait for a next installment in a series, so just getting a small taste of it again was nice.
January 24, 2014
i don't think there are really any spoilers in this for Crewel...which is a relief, because i've come across a LOT of prequels that give something away in the first book, which is why i ALWAYS read them AFTER the first book, now...
everything that happens in this story, is mentioned briefly, in the first 2 chapters.
i liked that this was the back-story, the what-really-happened to something only touched upon in a few lines in the opening of the book...
there were a few, new writing errors that weren't present in the first book...which i've noticed is the case with a lot of companions/short stories...i think they just don't go through the same editing process...
[more later?]
oh, and this was in the back of the paperback version.
everything that happens in this story, is mentioned briefly, in the first 2 chapters.
i liked that this was the back-story, the what-really-happened to something only touched upon in a few lines in the opening of the book...
there were a few, new writing errors that weren't present in the first book...which i've noticed is the case with a lot of companions/short stories...i think they just don't go through the same editing process...
[more later?]
oh, and this was in the back of the paperback version.
April 24, 2017
I enjoyed this one quite a lot more, possibly because it was in a much more familiar setting and I already knew the characters that I was being presented with. Of course, I didn’t know that right off the bat, but once it was revealed who we were reading about, I found myself pretty excited that we were getting a look into what had happened in the past. It also definitely gave another side to the character we read as, the tailor and the official both, as we’re not given much on either of them the first time we read about them in the books. They’re pretty much gone before you can do more than glimpse at them.
Definitely more interesting to me than The Cypress Project had been, though I’m not totally sure why that is. The familiarity was definitely a part, but there might have been something else. Whatever it is, definitely give this one a go if you’ve read the series.
Definitely more interesting to me than The Cypress Project had been, though I’m not totally sure why that is. The familiarity was definitely a part, but there might have been something else. Whatever it is, definitely give this one a go if you’ve read the series.
April 24, 2013
I'm not sure how much sense this short story will make if you haven't read Crewel already, but I really liked it. It tells the story of an incident that happens before the beginning of Crewel; it's about what really happens to Mrs. Swanders. It's creepy and disturbing and really shows the awfulness of Arras in a way that we see, but not quite this up close and personal, in Crewel itself. A nice addition to the Crewel world.
December 19, 2012
I just liked one thing in this story, and that was the cover art. That's about it. I know that the reason I am less than impressed is because I've yet to read Crewel, - and that's about the only reason why I am giving it two stars, other than because it is not completely horrible -, but I fail to see the appeal here or why I should hurry up to read the novel. The writing was okay, but the sudden change in POV seriously hurt the flow of the short story. All in all, a 'whatever'-sort of read. Maybe it will make more sense when - if - I read the novel, but for now, color me unimpressed.
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