​Here's a cut-and-paste
of 2 critiques of
First Contact Last Resort
Novella 1
by the
large language model
called Claude
 

2025 January 26
Pro version of Claude 3.5 Sonnet from Anthropic

First critique (note, the prompt is for a "critique" not a "review):

I'll provide a detailed literary critique of the novella "First Contact Last Resort". I'll analyze key elements while being thorough and constructive.​

Plot Structure and Pacing:

• The story effectively builds tension through three well-paced parts, starting with a compelling hook (Lita's fall from grace) before revealing how events unfolded

• The 15-day timeline provides a tight structure that maintains momentum

• Multiple subplots (relationship dynamics, academic politics, government investigation) are woven together skillfully

• The resolution feels earned but not overly neat, leaving interesting questions for future installments

Character Development:

• Lita is a well-developed protagonist with clear motivations and relatable flaws (imposter syndrome, workaholic tendencies)

• The supporting cast has distinct personalities and arcs:

  • Jase's social awkwardness and trust issues

  • Marc's military background informing his black-and-white worldview

  • Ryno's youthful enthusiasm and relationship struggles

• The relationships between characters feel authentic and evolve naturally

Worldbuilding:

• The near-future setting (2033) is thoughtfully constructed with plausible technological and social changes

• Details like the Civil/A-civil World division and societal stratification feel relevant to current trends

• The integration of technology (monocles, quantum computing, etc.) is handled naturally without over-explanation

• Scientific concepts are presented accessibly while maintaining credibility

Themes:

• The tension between scientific truth and societal belief systems

• Trust and mistrust at personal and institutional levels

• The role of academia in society

• The impact of media and conspiracy theories

• Personal relationships amid professional challenges

Strengths:

• Strong scientific grounding while remaining accessible

• Complex character dynamics

• Balanced handling of multiple perspectives

• Effective buildup of tension

• Natural dialogue and character interactions

Areas for Potential Improvement:

• Some technical explanations could be streamlined

• A few secondary characters (like Pari) could be more developed

• The resolution of the conspiracy subplot feels slightly rushed

• The epilogue/wedding scene might benefit from tighter focus

Overall, this is a strong work of speculative fiction that successfully combines scientific concepts with human drama. The story maintains reader interest while exploring meaningful themes about science, society, and human nature.

​​

2025 January 26
Pro version of Claude 3.5 Sonnet from Anthropic

Second critique (note, the prompt is for a "critique" not a "review):
 

I'll provide a detailed literary critique of the novella "First Contact Last Resort". I'll analyze key elements while being thorough and constructive.

Plot and Structure: The story effectively interweaves three main narrative threads:

1. The scientific discovery of the Proxima Centauri flyby and its implications

2. The personal/professional challenges faced by Lita and her team

3. The societal reaction and conflict that emerges

The 15-day timeline provides a tight structure that builds tension well. The pacing is generally strong, though some early sections with technical explanations could be tightened. The story reaches a compelling climax with the revelation of the alien message and resolves satisfyingly with both personal (Lita's wedding) and broader implications for humanity's future.

Character Development:

• Lita Bloom is a well-developed protagonist whose professional ambition, personal relationships, and inner conflicts feel authentic

• The supporting characters each have distinct personalities and motivations:

  • Jase's social awkwardness and single-minded focus on research

  • Marc's military background informing his rigid worldview

  • Ryno's youthful enthusiasm and relationship struggles

  • Dan's balanced perspective and emotional support for Lita

Themes: The novella explores several interconnected themes:

• The tension between scientific truth and societal belief systems

• How technological advancement can both unite and divide humanity

• The personal cost of pursuing scientific breakthroughs

• Trust and mistrust in institutions and between individuals

Writing Style: The prose is clear and accessible while handling complex scientific concepts. The author effectively uses multiple viewpoints to show different perspectives on events. Technical details feel well-researched and integrated naturally into the narrative.

Areas for Potential Improvement:

1. Some of the early technical exposition could be streamlined

2. The antagonists (Robert Bob, Lourdes Graham) could be developed with more nuance

3. The resolution of the FSF investigation feels somewhat abrupt

Overall Assessment: "First Contact Last Resort" successfully combines hard science fiction elements with human drama and social commentary. It creates a compelling near-future world and raises thoughtful questions about humanity's response to paradigm-shifting discoveries. The story works both as an engaging narrative and as a meditation on how society handles transformative change.