Review of "Give Up" by Richard Butner

"Give Up" by Richard Butner appeared in the September/October 2012 issue of Fantasy & Science Fiction.  "A man attempts to do a realistic virtual climb of a virtual Mount Everest in his backyard."

Mr. Butner either has climbed Mount Everest himself or did his research.  The tale feels real, even though it is a story about a virtual climb (and so is not at all real on at least two levels).  The idea that VR technology could be utilized on such a grand scale is thought-provoking, uplifting, and even breath-taking--all the more so because it is something that just might come to pass in my lifetime.

The ending of the tale is a surprise that I will not spoil here except to say that the author brings his theme of perseverance full circle to apply to the everyday challenges of life.  Far from being preachy, this moral serves to inspire.