Beyond Reality discussion
Books mentioned in this topic
Invitation to Camelot (other topics)The Visit (other topics)
The Black Pages (other topics)
2043... a Merman I Should Turn to Be (other topics)
These Alien Skies (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Parke Godwin (other topics)Morgan Llywelyn (other topics)
Madeleine E. Robins (other topics)
Jane Yolen (other topics)
Tanith Lee (other topics)
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Invitation to Camelot, edited by Parke Godwin, is a collection of stories related to the Arthurian legends. I rated it 7/10.
I am not a big fan of short stories—they are just so, well, short! If they are good, I want more! This collection of stories related to Camelot and the Arthurian legends are a mix of excellent (Their Son by Morgan Llywelyn, Uallannach by Parke Godwin, Nimuë’s Tale by Madeleine E. Robins, and Meditation in a Whitethorn Tree by Jane Yolen) and a little odd (The Minstrel’s Tale by Tanith Lee, The Camelot Connection by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough, and Winter Solstice, Camelot Station by John M. Ford).
The other collection is Black Stars, Amazon original speculative fiction by Black authors. My overall rating was 7.8/10.
The Visit by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, 8/10. In a world that turns the patriarchy upside down, two friends meet after years apart.
The Black Pages by Nnedi Okorafor, 8/10. An intriguing story, one that I wish were novella- or novel-length because I want more—more detail, more background, and more about what happens next!
2043... a Merman I Should Turn to Be by Nisi Shawl, 6/10. A good example of why I am not a fan of short stories. There was almost enough background to understand the setting and the state of the socio-political world, but I never felt like I understood what was going on and why. And the “end� only made me feel like there should have been more.
These Alien Skies by C.T. Rwizi, 10/10. The exception to the rule—a short story that feels like it’s complete in itself! And such an excellent story—exciting, touching, thought-provoking!
Clap Back by Nalo Hopkinson, 8/10. Thought-provoking story. I can look through a window like the one this story provides, but as a white person, I will never know what it means to be Black in this world.
We Travel the Spaceways by Victor LaValle, 7/10. Not sure what to make of this story. Science fiction? Tales of a person with mental illness? Not sure it matters, since I think the real story is about compassion and the need for love and acceptance.