This collection of horror stories reflects a wide range of approaches to the genre. There are zombie tales, stories of lovecraftian horrors, folk fablThis collection of horror stories reflects a wide range of approaches to the genre. There are zombie tales, stories of lovecraftian horrors, folk fables, and racial oppression. As with any anthology, the tone shifts wildly, as does the voice. But the stories are united in bringing new kinds of 'scary' to the reader.
The story that stays with me most strongly is Nalo Hopkinson's "The Most Strongest Obeah Woman of the World." It feels a bit like a folk tale, but makes strong use of visceral body horror.
Bendis sets up an interesting heist team focused on taking out the uber-rich. Solidly plotted, with good art from Alex Maleev. Didn't quite hit for meBendis sets up an interesting heist team focused on taking out the uber-rich. Solidly plotted, with good art from Alex Maleev. Didn't quite hit for me enough to be jazzed about the next chapter, but fun to read anyhow....more
LeGuin's classic tale of world-bending power and one's responsibility still holds up. George Orr is afraid to sleep, because some of his dreams changeLeGuin's classic tale of world-bending power and one's responsibility still holds up. George Orr is afraid to sleep, because some of his dreams change reality. When Dr. Haber discovers this fact, he is less inclined to help George fix this problem, and more inclined to use the power as he sees fit. At its heart, this is a narrow story -- told with basically three (or four) characters, following the arc of the two prime movers as they wrestle with the question of what it means to have power and to use power.
A couple thoughts: - The gender and racial politics feel creaky here, but not gross. Of course, my position means I probably have the least to say about these issues, so I'd be interested to hear from others what they think about how the book has aged. - LeGuin sprinkles a bit of the [i]Monkey's Paw[/i] in here -- when Dr. Haber asks George to fix something, it often results in a fix that turns sideways. I love that notion, that George's sleeping mind is a bit of a bastard. - As always, LeGuin knows how to make a world seem alive with just a few strokes of her keys. The quick switches from one world perspective to the next work well and thoughtfully, and they move the story forward even as they help us understand the chaos all around. - As much as I enjoyed the book, I also found it a bit slow. I recall both LEFT HAND OF DARKNESS and DISPOSSESSED as a bit more gripping, personally.
Gyre exaggerated her experience caving in order to get this job, surveying a dangerous cave in a science fiction future on a planet crushed under the Gyre exaggerated her experience caving in order to get this job, surveying a dangerous cave in a science fiction future on a planet crushed under the weight of late stage capitalism. But as she delves deeper, trying hard to avoid drawing the attention of the deadly 'tunneler' worms, she finds even more danger than she expected.
A few thoughts: - This book is pretty intense, but not as scary as I thought it would be. It's a more psychological horror story than I expected. - The idea and technology tied into this environment, along with the scary aspect of caving itself, is a great setting for a story like this. - I love the evolving relationship between Gyre and Emelia, Gyre's guide on the surface and her only connection to the outside world. - The book felt a bit too long -- maybe 50 pages could have been trimmed to make it a tighter story.
Worth a read if the idea of the book grabs you....more
The end of the Dark Tower saga, long but satisfying. Filled with the kinds of drama we'd hope for.The end of the Dark Tower saga, long but satisfying. Filled with the kinds of drama we'd hope for....more
Delightful, fascinating, amusing comic with a weird-tales feel to it. Oscar Zahn feels like a character who drifted over from one of the funnier HELLBDelightful, fascinating, amusing comic with a weird-tales feel to it. Oscar Zahn feels like a character who drifted over from one of the funnier HELLBOY comics, or maybe an extra from THE GOON. Either way, wondrous....more
It's been a while since I read any Rumpole of the Bailey stories, adaptations of the television series episodes, but I have enjoyed them generally, ovIt's been a while since I read any Rumpole of the Bailey stories, adaptations of the television series episodes, but I have enjoyed them generally, over the years. In returning to the beginning to check out the first one, I find they may have aged a decade too far. A few thoughts: - John Mortimer brings a distinctive, hilarious, dusty dry voice to the titular character, a cranky, honorable man who is stuck in his ways and very, very good at being a barrister. The turns of phrase Rumpole uses, his personal asides and witticisms and poetry, and his unvarnished opinions still stand delightful. - But the casual misogyny and sexism both of Rumpole and of the era have gotten old and older and oldest to the point of being too dusty. As much as I love Rumpole's witticisms, the views of the time feel too old. - One case, in particular, is pretty grim to read. In "Rumpole and the Honourable Member," Rumpole gets assigned a sexual assault case and his legal tactics are what we'd expect of a male lawyer in the 1960s to a female witness. I'd advise readers to skip this story. - I do enjoy Rumpole's clever moments, which fit well with the kind of legal shenanigans we'd find later on shows like Ally McBeal and Boston Legal.
Overall, I enjoyed the stories, but their rampant and undeterred sexism marred the overall effect this time around. ...more
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