This anthology has each story begin with a famous line from another book. Even the ones I didn't like at first, I liked by the end.This anthology has each story begin with a famous line from another book. Even the ones I didn't like at first, I liked by the end....more
Collection of short stories, many of which are quite creative but basically all of which are depressing as hell. I may just not have been in quite theCollection of short stories, many of which are quite creative but basically all of which are depressing as hell. I may just not have been in quite the right frame of mind to appreciate these....more
"Story of Your Life" was the basis for the movie Arrival, which was about all I knew going into this anthology. Chiang's work is amazing (although not"Story of Your Life" was the basis for the movie Arrival, which was about all I knew going into this anthology. Chiang's work is amazing (although not always comfortable). One or two of these didn't grab me as much as the others, but "Story of Your Life," "Division by Zero," and "Hell is the Absence of God" are all deeply original, thoughtful, thought-provoking, and devastating....more
Short stories from The Dresden Files universe. At this point, the mythology and plot arcs are so dense that the second half of this book is both spoilShort stories from The Dresden Files universe. At this point, the mythology and plot arcs are so dense that the second half of this book is both spoilerific and probably incomprehensible if you haven't read up through Skin Game. (Also, the Bigfoot stories were already collected in Working for Bigfoot.) So if you're up on Dresden, lots of fun. Don't bother if you aren't, though....more
This short story collection clearly comes from a life that has had so much pain that the unexpected grace is like sudden sunlight. Incredibly inventivThis short story collection clearly comes from a life that has had so much pain that the unexpected grace is like sudden sunlight. Incredibly inventive spec fic, gorgeous language. Stories range from creepy to charming....more
Look, this is a novelty book. I find it difficult to believe it will be read by many people who don't actually know editor Glenn Hauman, who spends thLook, this is a novelty book. I find it difficult to believe it will be read by many people who don't actually know editor Glenn Hauman, who spends this anthology being murdered in creative ways. But while none of the stories are particularly noteworthy, most of them are written by excellent authors and so at least are good yarns. An impressive variety of deaths....more
Own Voices done right. Re-imagined Asian fairytales, from all over the continent, done by Asian-American authors only. A ton of delightful stories, moOwn Voices done right. Re-imagined Asian fairytales, from all over the continent, done by Asian-American authors only. A ton of delightful stories, most based on older stories I'd never heard. (Note: I'm friends with one of the authors. But I liked most of the stories, regardless of who I knew.)...more
You know how in every short story anthology, there’s a couple stories that just don’t work for you? In this one, I had none. I at least liked every siYou know how in every short story anthology, there’s a couple stories that just don’t work for you? In this one, I had none. I at least liked every single story. Loved many of them. Fairies running theme parks, an ex-Japanese idol visiting her past via androids, caretaker robots vs Icelandic elves. It’s all great. The editors managed to get some of the best current voices in sf/f to participate, and it shows. ...more
40 Star Wars short stories, each exploring the viewpoint of a minor character from Episode IV. (In movie chronological order.) There's a number of fun40 Star Wars short stories, each exploring the viewpoint of a minor character from Episode IV. (In movie chronological order.) There's a number of fun stories here, although some of them get a little repetitive. (There are a lot more characters in the cantina or the final battle than, say, Luke meeting Ben, so we see some events over and over and over.) I'll admit, previous (much older) collections like Tales from the Cantina are somewhat more fun because of the lack of limitation - each character has to intersect the main plot somehow, so there's a limit to how much mischief they can get up to. But many are quite a lot of fun....more
As always, an anthology has a mix of good and bad. Some of these...did not age well at all. Harlan Ellison's "A Boy and His Dog" for example--I realizAs always, an anthology has a mix of good and bad. Some of these...did not age well at all. Harlan Ellison's "A Boy and His Dog" for example--I realize the sexism is partly of its time and partly a deliberate artistic effect. But the fact that it's pretty well established that Ellison is an asshole that treats women terribly made reading this story make my skin crawl. Others are excellent, or just kind of forgettable at this point. Le Guin's "Nine Lives" is lovely, and you have to give Delany credit for a great title at the very least in "Time Considered as a Helix of Semi-Precious Stones." Good for knowing the history of the genre....more
Loading...
