"Six Months, Three Days" by Charlie Jane Anders, 2011

"Six Months, Three Days" by Charlie Jane Anders, 2011

Two precognitives meet and fall in love.

This Hugo Award-winning science fiction novelette is a love story that centers around the notions of free-will and determinism. The philosophical contrast and science fictional premise provide an intriguing philosophical flavor to the human romance; the two work exquisitely in synchrony.

Doug and Judy are precognitives, whose powers work in different ways. Doug is a determinist and can see the future as a single stream and set in stone while Judy believes in free will and sees future possibilities branching out from most moments. Despite the difference in their abilities, they both remember the future.

They meet and fall in love despite knowing their relationship will only last six months and three days, know their arguments before they happen, and end very badly. But knowing all that still doesn’t discourage them from trying.

After months into their relationship, the fire in their relationship simmers down, and they start to drive each other crazy.  An almost unexpected event occurs and causes them to rethink their lives and how to live them.

NBC was working on a television adaption of this story in late 2013, but nothing, as far I know, has materialized today (2015-Aug) on tv yet.

The novelette can be read for free here.

My Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5 stars) - I really liked it.