Sixteen Original Works by Speculative Fiction's Finest Voices
February 18, 2008
Declaring that short stories are the “heart and soul of fantastical fiction,” prolific and venerable editor Datlow collects 16 impressive original stories in this unthemed anthology. Standout selections include Margo Lanagan's deeply disturbing “The Goosle,” which eloquently corrupts the Hansel and Gretel fable with bubonic plague, sexual slavery and mass murder; Jason Stoddard's “The Elephant Ironclads,” which describes an emergent 20th-century Navajo nation struggling to become a world power while staying true to its culture; Elizabeth Bear's “Sonny Liston Takes the Fall,” a poignant tale about the life, death and sad legacy of the troubled heavyweight fighter; and Pat Cadigan's “Jimmy,” a strange and supernatural coming-of-age story set in the moments just after John F. Kennedy's assassination. The thematic diversity and consistently high quality of narrative throughout make for a solid and enjoyable anthology.
April 15, 2008
From Jason Stoddard's unusual alternate history featuring elephants and a search for uranium in the land of the Din ("The Elephant Ironclads") to Margo Lanagan's wicked version of Hansel and Gretel ("The Goosle"), the 16 original tales in this collection highlight some of the best work from genre veterans and newcomers. Including contributions by Elizabeth Bear, Lavie Tidbar, Barry Malzberg, and Pat Cadigan, this eclectic mixture of new sf and fantasy belongs in most libraries.
Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
May 1, 2008
Adult/High School-This collection of cutting-edge writing has appeal to older teens familiar with the demands of speculative fiction at its best. The 16 pieces include tales of alien abduction and war, murder, familial abuse, and alternate histories of the world. Many are emotionally charged and most keep readers working hard to keep up with the inventive narrative and leaps of unexpected science and fantasy. There are ghosts and monsters here, and two stories with strikingly different examples of golems. One is a tragic sacrificial figure named Sonny Liston, otherwise known as a famous American boxer; the other is a creation made literally from Hebrew letters and brought to life by a rabbinical student for his own purpose. To the man's surprise, his golem has its own agenda, which is to fulfill its destiny as a vengeful agent of God's Word. Several of these stories are puzzling and lack clear resolutions; they make readers ponder what they mean and how they end-just what speculative fiction should do. An anthology that's thought-provoking and intellectually challenging."Will Marston, Berkeley Public Library, CA"
Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
April 15, 2008
Datlows new anthology shows her picking up from where her duties as story editor for SciFi.com left off in 2007. With the popular Web sites recent move toward covering only television and film, Datlow takes her philosophy of showcasing the short storys far-reaching possibilities back to the printed page. As in its Internet counterpart, the book emphasizes her embrace of the widest possible assortments of voices and ideas. Established authors, such as Barry N. Malzberg and Pat Cadigan, mingle with relative newcomers, such as Jason Stoddard and Nathan Ballingrud. Lucy Sussex contributes a suspenseful tale about a volcano enthusiast whose uncanny knack for filming the precise moment of eruption becomes a deadly liability. Margo Lanagans The Goosle combines Australian myth with horror in a gruesome sequel to Hansel and Gretel. Other tales explore alternate world history, the anxious realm of nightmares, and the fate of a miniature city. Datlows keen eye for talent results in a sumptuous and engaging collection of narrative gems from speculative fictions cutting edge.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)