Many of these stories are about animals. Monkeys, foxes, dogs, cats and yes, bees. Some of them are science fiction, some of them are fantasy, some ofMany of these stories are about animals. Monkeys, foxes, dogs, cats and yes, bees. Some of them are science fiction, some of them are fantasy, some of them are magic realism. All of them are about the far reaches of human emotion that are never far from us. Searching, grieving, drowning, drifting--all that is here and more. A fabulous introduction to an amazing author. ...more
Short mystery stories rarely have the scope to develop a rich enough scenario to provide any mystery at all. For those desperate for the next Charles Short mystery stories rarely have the scope to develop a rich enough scenario to provide any mystery at all. For those desperate for the next Charles Lenox adventure, this is a pale reminder of the full-length yarns. ...more
This book is a gift basket from the author for those of us who love her Numinous World books. For those new to that world, it is an excellent introducThis book is a gift basket from the author for those of us who love her Numinous World books. For those new to that world, it is an excellent introduction to the style and themes Graham is building. Each one provides a different perspective on the saga she is creating and each is carefully crafted to stand alone. ...more
A fantastic set of short stories from one of the best writers working in SF today. A couple of pieces from the Revelation Space universe, but many in A fantastic set of short stories from one of the best writers working in SF today. A couple of pieces from the Revelation Space universe, but many in other settings. It was particularly interesting watching him work through some recurring themes and concepts over time. If you haven't tried Reynolds and are wondering if you'd enjoy his work, this would be a great place to start. ...more
It was fascinating to read this set of stories, all of which pull from traditions, cultures and experiences quite different from my own. There were tiIt was fascinating to read this set of stories, all of which pull from traditions, cultures and experiences quite different from my own. There were times that I felt I was missing too many allusions to fully grasp Shawl's meanings and resonances, but the stories were still gripping and beautifully crafted. I was especially pleased to read "Wallamelon," which draws on the mythology of The Blue Lady that I first read about in this 1997 article and have thought would make fascinating background for a story. ...more
This is a gorgeous collection of short stories. Every one takes place in an interesting, skillfully evoked world and presents interesting twists that This is a gorgeous collection of short stories. Every one takes place in an interesting, skillfully evoked world and presents interesting twists that pose existential questions for the reader to ponder. These aren't light tales--they are twisted and kinked and dark. I happened to watch some Lady Gaga videos in the middle of my reading and they provided excellent imagery for some of the stories. I'm relatively new to Swanwick, but very much looking forward to catching up....more
Marvelous! This collection of short stories runs the gamut across fantasy and science fiction, from ancient legend to speculative futures, always withMarvelous! This collection of short stories runs the gamut across fantasy and science fiction, from ancient legend to speculative futures, always with a clear narrative voice and masterful prose. His characters are funny and touching and intensely human. Reading more of his work goes high on my to-do list. ...more
This was a very interesting collection of stories about human parasites of various kinds, written around the same time that Stoker was developing his This was a very interesting collection of stories about human parasites of various kinds, written around the same time that Stoker was developing his own powerful characterization of vampires. It includes three Sherlock Holmes stories by Conan Doyle and another, in which Holmes and Stoker intersect, by Bill Crider. ...more
This was a very good collection of short stories and poetry. There were a couple of pieces that I really hope the authors might expand to novel lengthThis was a very good collection of short stories and poetry. There were a couple of pieces that I really hope the authors might expand to novel length and the last piece cracked me up repeatedly. ...more
This is a lovely collection of great SF stories. Not for the space opera crowd, these tend to explore the fantastic as encountered by figures of the pThis is a lovely collection of great SF stories. Not for the space opera crowd, these tend to explore the fantastic as encountered by figures of the present and past, with alternate histories and famous historical figures appearing regularly. You've probably read several of these in YBSF and other collections, but here's a chance to really get to know Waldrop's work. ...more
I really enjoyed the set of Chandler's short stories, but the pithiness gets wearisome stretched over a whole novel. I really enjoyed the set of Chandler's short stories, but the pithiness gets wearisome stretched over a whole novel. ...more
I'd never actually read any Chandler and when I came across this collection of some of his Phillip Marlowe stories, it seemed like a good introductionI'd never actually read any Chandler and when I came across this collection of some of his Phillip Marlowe stories, it seemed like a good introduction. The stories are fun, with the strong noir flavor I'd expected. And now It's a Raymond Chandler Evening is an even better song for me. ...more
An interesting collection of stories from the seventies that do a workmanlike job of extrapolating and exploring issues and questions of human existenAn interesting collection of stories from the seventies that do a workmanlike job of extrapolating and exploring issues and questions of human existence. The repeated idea of us as playthings of gods made me question the selection criteria and the tone of all the stories tended toward the bleak. ...more
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