Virtual Sexual Reality
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Cover Story
This issue's cover is from Patrick Benson's new picture book, The Sea-Thing Child by Russell Hoban. Patrick Benson is interviewed by Joanna Carey. Thanks to Walker Books for their help in producing this November cover.
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Virtual Sexual Reality
Justine visits the Virtual Reality Exhibition in anticipation of getting to know Alex better. However, after a disastrous experiment with an Alternative Reality Machine, she acquires a new identity – as a male; Jake.
The plot twists even more when Jake discovers that Justine still exists in the same dimension and seems to have fallen for him. This unusual slant on gender, reminiscent of a teenage version of Bill’s New Frock offers some interesting insights into stereotypes and behavioural patterns. Dialogue is snappy, action is high-key and there is an overall impression of prose flying by the seat of its pants. Eventually, the convolutions of the plot irritated rather than entertained but there are sufficient good moments here to justify a place on library shelves.