Deriving Life by Elizabeth Bear

Life is short. Or is it?

If you were chronically ill and there was an opportunity to live a shorter enriched life or a longer life filled with suffering, what would you choose? As a piece of speculative fiction, Derving Life by Elizabeth Bear examines the ethical complexities of end-of-life choices, raising several philosophical questions: should we alter ourselves to be happier? Or does struggle have intrinsic value? The ethical gray areas of biological enhancement, and the delicate balance between happiness, autonomy, and survival also take precedence. 

The Tenants are symbiotic alien beings, sentient cancerous organisms that have integrated into society by forming partnerships with willing Hosts. They offer significant benefits such as enhanced health, emotional well-being, and even happiness while subtly consuming their Hosts from within. The relationship is strictly consensual, with extensive psychological screening to ensure that only volunteers participate. Over time, the Tenant gradually replaces the Host’s organs but extends their life as long as possible, since their own survival depends on it. They also carry forward aspects of each Host’s personality, merging experiences across lifetimes.

While the premise is richly developed, Elizabeth Bear places the emotional and psychological weight of the story squarely on the protagonist's shoulders. His struggle to accept his partner’s inevitable death is deeply moving, as he wrestles with grief, love, and the nature of identity itself. The emotional toll on Marq is profound, making his heartbreak feel all the more poignant. Deriving Life forces the reader to confront some deeply personal questions about death. Would we trade years of hardship for a shorter, more fulfilling existence? Ultimately, it’s a story about love, loss, and what it truly means to be human.

You can read this story HERE.