Gene Wolfe Books

You don't so much read a Gene Wolfe novel as unravel it and hope that you're putting the strands together in the right order, because he sure isn't giving you any help. Even if you're wrong (and quite possibly you are) when you come to the end of it feeling like your brain has been put through the wringer by a master and that whatever revelations you think you might have uncovered are just as valid as the ones that might actually exist, if they indeed do. The true nature of his novel might be that of a crystal rolling down a flight of stairs and past a crowd, so that every person seeing it go by will view a different sight in each moving facet and believe that memory to be real.

This novel comes at the end of the "Short Sun" trilogy and also comes at the end of a run that includes the groundbreaking "New Sun" and the simultaneously exhausting and exhilerating "Long Sun" series, so here we have both a finish and a culmination. I don't think I'm revealing anything by noting that nothing is ever concretely explained, that Wolfe suggests with shadows and negative space, that what isn't shown is just as vital as what we're witness to, the gaps between conversations, the difference between who you're talking to versus who you think you're talking to, the order in which events unfold, relentlessly linear and completely out of order.

In a way this is still Horn's story, he narrates parts of it and the focus is still nominally on his search for Patera Silk. But the view expands and the narrative constantly morphs and becomes more ornate, as Horn shifts to Blue and to the Whorl and even to long lost Urth, meeting old friends and new ones and becoming involved in events that seem to have nothing to do with his quest, until all the details pile up and everything interrelates. The pace of the book is steady, the prose cool and the narrative seemingly straightforward until you notice all the questions that aren't getting answered, or that the answers are coming just out of view, or out of reach. People are who they are and at the same time someone else. Horn is Horn, unless he's Silk or maybe one has replaced the other and we were just never informed. Everything is as solid as a dream, floating through environments at once bizarre and grounded.

All of this would seem very elusive and pretentious (and may seem that way to some . . . if you like your SF with spaceships and lacking subtext, this may not be your thing) if Wolfe didn't have such control over his story. Even when you don't have the slighest idea where a seeming digression is going or whether the latest revelation is simply a sleight of hand, you get the sense that Wolfe knows at all times what he's doing and that makes all the difference. You can read all three series back to back to back and come up with your own conclusions, and quite possibly read them again to find new wrinkles in what you suspected you knew. That's the gift and frustration of them. Wolfe shows you where to look, but the glass is tinted and perhaps bent, and what you see may not be what's actually there, it may have happened on the opposite periphery, while you were distracted. You care about Horn, even when you can't define his final shape. It's not for everyone, but SF, and literature in general, are better for it having existed in the first place.

I've finally finished reading the last of Wolfe's twelve Sun books. I've been waiting until I finished them all before writing a review, since they stand as one monumental, labyrinthine sf/fantasy epic adventure (although the New Sun books could be read by themselves). Here's what someone considering reading these books should know, in my view. The series is uniquely both rewarding and frustrating. The rewards come from Wolfe's unique genius at creating complex, mysterious narratives. The characters are well-realized, although it's hard to form strong emotional attachments to them, especially in the Short Sun trilogy, because of the disjointed narrative. This isn't to say, though, that I didn't feel for the main characters and was sad when it was over. For anyone who doubts that these books bear all sorts of interpretation, see the discussion forum at: www.urth.net/urth/ . There are many spoilers in those discussions, so don't visit that internet site unless you've read all the Sun books or are willing to read spoilers.

But the series is also frustrating--especially the Short Sun and Long Sun books, because of Wolfe's austere approach to telling the story. Instead of holding the reader's hand, Wolfe unfolds the plot in a perfectly concrete way, never breaking from the narrators' perspectives. Moreover, there's some Christian subtext to Wolfe's approach. I'm not talking about the Christian themes, but about Wolfe's penchant for immersing the reader in the details of drawn-out, relatively unimportant scenes, while passing over crucial revelations in the story very quickly, counting on the reader's alertness so that the reader doesn't entirely miss them. This style of writing sets up symbols of a kind of platonic dualism in the books. There's the material world which is a mere shadow of the spiritual, immaterial world. The concrete details in the story are like the shadows of the material world in which a person can get lost, while the important moments in the text are like glimmers of a hidden, spiritual world which only a willing, attentive person can perceive. The upshot is that there are pacing problems in some of the Sun books. The New Sun books have the least problems in this regard, and the most action.

But it's not necessarily a fault if the Sun books don't provide the cheap thrills of an average space opera. Fans of the far-future, dying-sun subgenre of sf/fantasy should certainly read the Sun series, but so should those who are intrigued by Wolfe's unique writing skills. Many weird things happen in the story, but they don't seem weird because of the lack of editorializing on Wolfe's part; I mean that the whole story is told from the narrators' perspective, and the narrators and the other characters don't often regard the events as weird, since the characters are part of these far-future, alien worlds, and Wolfe is a master of writing from his characters' perspectives. Again, this is a double-edged sword, since the reader has no author-given guideposts or formulaic structure as crutches. Instead, there's a wealth of details which hang together, making up an unbelievably complicated, intellectually dizzying set of adventures.

It has taken me about 3 years to get through the books of the Long and Short Sun by Gene Wolfe. Just finished Return to the Whorl and was totally blown away. There are other reviewers here at Amazon, who have made convincingly cogent arguments in favor of this magnum opus of Mr. Wolfe's. Of which, I would equal to James Joyce's Ullyses or even Homer's Odyssey but on a much more cosmic and grander scale. The saga starts out with Patera Silk a priest, who serves the gods of mainframe. The question of who are the gods and the instrumentality that enables them ends with a wonderful character, Horn. The conclusion sadly ends in this final Volume of the Book of the Short Sun. The odyssey is complex yet coherent. The questions asked were many. The answers were clear and subtle at the same time. A wonderfully personal work that is well written and honest. The book bears repeated reading and will be a Classic for years to come. As one reviewer aptly put it. Good Fishing! Good Fishing! Good Fishing!!!

Every work of Gene Wolfe's that I read further increase my admiration of his writing. _The Book of the Short Sun_ (I feel the three volumes are best read as a single novel) is easily the most thought provoking piece of fiction I have read in years. RETURN does not explicitly answer many of the questions that have been raised throughout the trilogy, but the questions themselves are what is important.
Even direct statements from Horn (the narrator) are often nothing more that guesses or even self deception. This book doesn't simply tell a story. What it does is provide half of a conversation. If there are answers, then they are for readers to determine for themselves. If this sounds needlessly philisophical, I can only say that I am still fresh from turning the last page of this extraordinary work and under it's spell.
Within the next year or so I plan to set aside a large chunk of my free time to re-read all of the "Sun" books (The Book of the New Sun, The Urth of the New Sun, The Book of the Long Sun, and The Book of the Short Sun) to give myself the full impact of the entire sequence. Anyone who looks down on the genre of science fiction need look no further that the works of Gene Wolfe to have their preconceptions blown away.

NOTE: This review is for all three books comprising The Book of the Short Sun

WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS:

The Book of the Short Sun will be one of the finest reading experiences of your life... if you can get through the thing. The difficulty in extracting those rewards out of the text is considerable and not to be lightly discounted. Reading these books will require supreme effort. Willing readers will have to be intensely interested with how individuals relate to historical and semi-mythical figures, religion, and their own personality as influenced by these themes. These books are about as far as you can get from the popular concept of "space opera" and thrilling, "page-turning" fiction. An analogy to Moby Dick is probably very appropriate as that work due to the very slow pacing, the introspection, and the great literary symbols stomping through the setting reified and alive. Any scholar of literature should be deeply fascinated by these books.

WHY YOU SHOULD PASS:

There is no shame in not reading these books. They are terribly difficult and an exercise in stamina though we feel most people should at least try once. If you have attempted Shakespeare and been turned back because of the language; if you have attempted Moby Dick or novels by Henry James only to be turned away by the lack of progression in the plot; if you have attempted James Joyce's Ulysses but been baffled by the interior monologue, then Short Sun is probably going to daunt you as well. But we feel the rewards of this book are equal to those giants in literature.
(...)

Gene Wolfe is a rewarding but very difficult writer. Like the little girl with the curl, when he is good he is very, very good and when he is bad...you want to throw the book across the room.

On one hand his books are frequently brilliant, imaginative, the hero "Latro" of this Historical Fantasy suffered a war injury to his head and can't remember yesterday unless he writes it down (as was said elsewhere). Some of his characters are well drawn - little Io is a joy, the black man Seven Lions helps him, as does Polos, a boy centaur, who was so normal a character Latro sees nothing unusual about him, Pindaros and others. Latro sees the gods and they manipulate him and others like chess pieces but he sees and converses with them, sometimes Io and other can see this, sometimes only Latro. These god and goddess interaction are wonderful, magic, fantastic. In that, it's like the Iliad and the Oddessy.

But in this (and in all his other books) - and I've read more than 15 - there Wolfe uses a lot of ellipsis, leaving out parts, and this as annoying as the rest is rewarding. If there is a major event in the book, Wolfe will spend chapters describing the lead up to it, chapters describing the aftermath and then leave the major event out all together! There is a bewildering profusion of characters, many of whom are poorly drawn, indistinguishable, half of which could be easily omitted. This book cries out for a larger map than the one included. Wolfe places the literal name in Greek of these Greek cities: "Rope" is Sparta, "Thought" is Athens, "Thrace" is somewhere in Turkey/Bulgaria (not on map), I guess, maybe where Troy was, - doubtless this is what the Greek words means, but why? Much of what the hero says or interprets of events is incorrect, he is the ultimate "unreliable narrator". A list of characters in the back of the book leaves out many. His books are full of sadistic bullies who beat other characters up for no reason. Many characters have multiple names. So this book like many other Wolfe books is very challenging, and often needlessly so. And the book drags and meanders plotlessly from time to time.

For this book in particular, checking out ancient Grecian history and geography on the internet, etc is needed, many characters and events are historical, the fictional characters wander through these events, but Wolfe does a poor job of explaining what's going on.

Be forewarned, Latro is brilliant fantasy, as good as there is, sometimes and difficult slow going others. Wolfe is sometimes an intellectual show-off and always demands a great deal, a great deal of intuition, from his readers.

`Latro In The Mist' brings together two novels by Gene Wolfe that brilliantly meld history and fantasy with a twist unique to literature. It's good to see these back in print in a form that will let you pick up both for a reasonable price.

With `Soldier of the Mist' Wolfe tells a story that would stop any other author in their tracks. `Soldier of the Mist' is the diary of Latro, a soldier of ancient Rome (maybe) who suffered a head wound on the battlefield. Every day when Latro awakens, he has a new case of amnesia. Not only does he not know who he is, but whatever he learns lasts only one day. He has found travelling companions in his search for his identity, and every morning they have him read his diary to learn who he is. Every night he makes new entries, hoping they will be useful in the coming day. The next morning he will face the world as new, knowing only what he's written and what he sees in front of him. Latro wanders ancient Greece dealing with war, politics, gods and goddesses. His lack of knowledge and prejudices let him (and you) see the world of the ancients in an entirely new light.

Latro's journey continues in `Soldier of Arete.' While not as compelling as `Mist', Latros walking tour of ancient Greece remains a fascinating view into the ancient world. Unfortunately it does not advance his story as much as one might like, and some of the promise of the end of `Soldier' is not redeemed. A third (and concluding?) volume was rumored for years; I wait anxiously to see if the recently announced `Soldier of Sidon' will bring Latro to a well-deserved recovery. But whether it does or not, the next step in his journey will be well-informed, well-told, and well worth reading.

If this was not written by Gene Wolfe, who is more well known for his New Sun series, this would be some writers greatest work. If you like mythology there is no way you won't love this book. If you like Neil Gaiman than there is no way you won't love this book. If you loved the New Sun series than you will love this book. Heck, if you love great books than here is another one for you.

Of all the Gene Wolfe books, well besides the short story collections, I would recommend this book for new Gene Wolfe readers. It is a great introduction to Wolfe's style but very accesible because its based in an environment where the reader is somewhat knowledgable of.

It`s not quite a fantasy or sci-fi novel. Let`s call it culturological novel. Impressed by writings of the Ancient Greek historian Herodotos (Father of the History) Wolfe re-creates internal spiritual world of the ancient people and thier vision of the world around them, there hyerophania (the revealing of the God or the pagan gods) is usual experience of everyday life.
Hero of the novels, soldier Latro, retreats with the defeated Persian army through Greece in 479 B.C. and tries to remember his past and to understand his own life. The worst mistake of all novels about the history - to place modern character in the historic environment and to describe his (or her) adventres as in cinema (a kind of Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra). There`s no such a mistake. Wofe tries to re-create heroic and religious aspects of the ancient culture of the Mediterranean world.
Novel "Soldier of the Mist" is among the best novels of the Ancient Greece. It is written as poem in prose, with its own rhythm of narration. Probably Wolfe was impressed also by European Symbolist artists (Klimt etc.) and by their vision of the Antiquity.
By the way, I read this novel before "The Book of the New Sun" and "Soldier of the Mist" impressed me much more than Wolfe`s well-known novels (well, I`m a historian).
"Soldier of Arete" is a kind of "The Urth of the New Sun" here. There`s no solutions and answers to all questions and sometimes it`s hard to understand the plot and the author. And after the first novel you should wait for more... But, sorry... Let`s say: "Thank you!!!" for "The Soldier of the Mist". In 2006 was released the next novel - "Soldier of Sidon" - let`s hope - it would be better.
And you could belive me - though "Soldier of the Mist" is a kind of easy reading book - you could understand it only if you had read "History" by Herodotos.
Don`t be scared. It`s also very interesting book. As one Russian historian once said, Herodotos was not only the first historian-scientist, but also the first historical novel-writer and the first ethnologist (Herodotos described the ancestors of many modern nationalties - even the ancestors of the Slavs; he travelled on the territory of modern Ukraine).
P.S. Epigraph to "Soldier of the Mist" is taken from "History" by Herodotos, book 9, 62-65. If you would read it you would understand, why Latro lost his memory.
While you are reading these novels by Gene Wolfe - why not to listen to authentic music of Ancient Greece?
Try following CDs: Ensemble De Organographia "Music of the Ancient Sumerians, Egyptians and Greeks" and "Music of the Ancient Greeks" - authentic ancient music; modern music in Ancient Greek style played on reconstructed ancient instruments - "Melpomen: Ancient Greek Music" by Conrad Steinmann.

This is what Latro writes on the outside of his scroll to remind himself to read over his writings every morning. He has to leave himself this note because he cannot form new memories. Sound familiar? Yes, this is very much the same general idea as the film Memento from 2000, but this novel (actually a compilation of two novels, Soldier of the Mist, 1986 and Soldier of Arete, 1989) was written well before then. According to Wikipedia another book in this series, Soldier of Sidon is due out this year (2006), although I felt that the second novel, Soldier of Arete, pretty neatly ended the story.

On to the specifics. On one hand I found it really interesting, well-written, historically engaging, and a real challenge to follow a lengthy novel when the narrator isn't much help. On the other hand, the format was at times frustrating and the whole "I forget everything" got a little tiresome, especially near the beginning when most chapters were consumed by notes from Latro to himself explaining that he can't remember anything. Gene Wolfe seems to enjoy the relationship that the narrator has with the audience, as I've found his narrators are generally unusual in some way. In the New Sun books his narrator couldn't forget a single detail that he had lived through; in the Latro books the narrator can barely remember what happened a handful of hours ago, losing the rest to time, what he describes as the mist. In many ways I found myself enjoying the task of piecing together Latro's experiences into a meaningful narrative, flipping back in the novel over and over again to see if I really remembered hearing that name or that place.

This brings me to the one thing that I think really helped the Latro books be successful, which is true of Memento as well, and that is that the medium of the work inherently causes the reader to suffer the same ailment and fate as the protagonist. Wofle's writing keeps you slightly in the dark, and his method of opening each chapter with what has most recently happened, not what you just finished reading about, before moving back in time and catching up with this new present keeps you on your toes. This is why I like reading post-modern novels and novels that share many characteristics with a post-modern novel, such as this one: the effort that the reader must give to the reading and the ability and responsibility to help create the art.

Lastly, it was interesting to read what could be very loosely constructed as an historical novel. Set in ancient Greece, Wolfe does a fairly good job of helping the reader through difficult geography and cultures without giving away the game too much. He gives us many details which are likely true (I'll admit that I'm nothing close to a Grecian scholar, but what I read of Wolfe is that he likes to bleed history into his fiction) and many rough sketches of life in Greece around the turn of the calendars from BCE to CE. These details never seem to intrude on the story, only to enhance or flush out a given moment.

Overall, I would recommend this novel to others, but keep in mind that it is not a passive read. However, I found it to be pretty rewarding. Yay for Latro.

I'm certainly glad I wasn't reading these as they came out or else I would have been very confused in trying to remember exactly what was going on. I don't think Wolfe writes series as much as a long sustained novel with defined breakpoints, thematic or otherwise, which makes reading the entire trilogy straight through a much easier prospect than over the period of a few years.

This is more pronounced here than in the previous Long Sun series, which while intricate, was nothing like this in terms of complexity. That narrative was mostly straightforward, ornate as it was, while here it bends and twists and redefines itself constantly by giving us new information and altering what we already knew. It follows the tone set by the first book, we still have Horn searching for Silk and we still have the first person narrative, we still have Blue and Green and the Whorl . . . and yet it's all gone different, like Wolfe said to everyone "Okay, you think you got the first book? That was just kid's stuff, now the real fun starts."

With Horn still narrating, things become much more elusive, even as he's telling you exactly what is going on. He's on Blue and then he's on Green and maybe he's not actually there but just thinking about it. He's starting to look like Silk or people start mistaking him for Silk or maybe he's switched bodies. The story starts to unfurl in multiple time periods at the same time, with the two parts echoing each other, Horn telling you what just happened and using that as a launching point to tell you what happened previously. The story swoops to certain points and dodges away at the last second before returning there later to deepen the significance of it. Identity becomes an open question, not just of Horn but it seems that every character starts to have more than one name and appearance, and with each change they are perceived differently, even if they haven't really changed.

Wolfe still has the sometimes frustrating (and exciting) habit of making you work for your revelations, with important events happening offscreen and the outlines of it being sketched later, sometimes much later, so that you have to be constantly putting small pieces together to make the bigger picture. And yet we probably won't get the largest picture until the next book is over, and even then it will probably take a sustained reread through everything if you want to have the hope of fitting it all together.

But as complex as it all is, Wolfe makes it work due to the precise and unhurried nature of his prose, the consistency of Horn's voice and the way he can make Green and Blue feel both real and dreamlike at the same time, how the shapeshifting feels more solid and right out of some buried myth, the legends always present and not simply made up. There's a level of thought behind this that is kind of staggering and drags you along with it, if you're willing to be dragged. I wish more SF was like this but not every book (I think my brain would get tired) because it just preserves how unique Wolfe is in the field and how unique a writer he is overall.

(...)
The Book of the Short Sun will be one of the finest reading experiences of your life... if you can get through the thing. The difficulty in extracting those rewards out of the text is considerable and not to be lightly discounted. Reading these books will require supreme effort. Willing readers will have to be intensely interested with how individuals relate to historical and semi-mythical figures, religion, and their own personality as influenced by these themes. These books are about as far as you can get from the popular concept of "space opera" and thrilling, "page-turning" fiction. An analogy to Moby Dick is probably very appropriate as that work due to the very slow pacing, the introspection, and the great literary symbols stomping through the setting reified and alive. Any scholar of literature should be deeply fascinated by these books.

WHY YOU SHOULD PASS:

There is no shame in not reading these books. They are terribly difficult and an exercise in stamina though we feel most people should at least try once. If you have attempted Shakespeare and been turned back because of the language; if you have attempted Moby Dick or novels by Henry James only to be turned away by the lack of progression in the plot; if you have attempted James Joyce's Ulysses but been baffled by the interior monologue, then Short Sun is probably going to daunt you as well. But we feel the rewards of this book are equal to those giants in literature.

(...)

In Green's Jungles covers Horn's second stop on his way home to the Lizard. Contrary to its title, the novel only barely touches on events, many of them major, that took place on Green. Most of the story focuses on a war between two neighboring cities. I found In Green's Jungles more difficult to enjoy than volume 1, and was often annoyed at Wolfe's unnecessary convolution of simple events. Moreover, the war between the cities, as well as most of the characters involved, seemed inconsequential. This induces the suspicion that the whole book might have been written to stretch a two-book story to trilogy length. Even so, it was a pleasure to read, and I highly recommend the entire series to SF fans who enjoy Wolfe's unique and puzzling style.

Gene Wolfe can be a frustrating writer: his prose is often elliptical, his plots and characters unusual, his text obscure and dense. He's a master of indirectness: he'll leave out what for other writers would be "important plot points".

In this second volumn of Book of the Short Sun, we spend most of our time *not* in Green's jungles, but the intersecting plots and deft, subtle interplay of the different characters leave us with both a clear picture of the main character's (Horn/Silk) time there. We get crumbling cities, in-human (and human) monsters and other trappings of, say, a good Burrough's Barsoom tale presented entirely as backstory to the current events in which the lead character has become embroiled.

On Blue's Waters (the first volume) was a beautiful work, marred (I thought at the time) by the overly obscure ending. But this novel (a lot clearer to follow, with a more conventional linear story) actually improves the first book. I can't wait to read the final volume now...

Mr Wolfe is a writer of powerful imagination, but he has a bad habit of leaving out the dramatically most important parts of his stories, tormenting his readers! Herein, he hops from the future to the present to the past, and back without warning, dwells on trivial detail while he omits most all major events in the stories, mixes short stories and nightmare visions into the "plot", so the bewildered reader has no idea what might be really going on. The reader has to work too hard.

The writing in the first part (of this last part of the ten plus book Sun series), "Blue" was comprehesible in comparison.

Where was the editor with the red pen?

If you want to save money, this book does not seem to be important to the plot line of the series and can be easily skipped. It reads as it were notes or an undeveloped plot outline.

The plot continues in "Return to the Whorl" you can safely bypass this.

Ultimately the concept (be forewarned, I give away the plot here) of one caracter morphing into another is quite clever, but this this book will leave you wondering what the heck you just read!

I must admit I was a little disappointed by this book, a lot of the stories I had already read and the new ones were okay. All in all if buying this make sure you haven't read the stories already then it would probably be a good buy

As with any compilation there is good and bad. More good than bad, and the bad is based on my personal taste. if you enjoy end of the world, or post end of the world stories, this is a must. My only solid compliant is that some of these stories would have made excellent full length novels.

Wastelands is pretty close to the perfect anthology, making just a touch over the magic 4.00 story average.

For an authoritative (the editor does say he is now an expert) look at the sub-genre, it is a bit light on for analytical non-fiction. For readers, less space taken thanking your mates, more time writing about the work would be appreciated, I think.

There is a fairly lengthy bibliography of various written works in and around this particular sub-genre at the back of the book. What is lacking here is one for short fiction, which is a bit odd, for an anthology. There is a good website for the book mentioned here, too, and it is useful, actually lists the contents and authors and other information like reviews. If there wasn't space in the book, then the website would be a natural for this sort of list. Minor issues, but you can't be perfect without 'em.

That said, the more important part is the fiction. This is an extremely strong selection, with a five star story by Doctorow, and several 4.5s to be found. Having many stories of this calibre in one book is not common at all. The pick of the rest include Bacigalupi, Martin, Wells, Barrett and Langan.

Overall this anthology is a great effort.

Wastelands : The End of the Whole Mess - Stephen King
Wastelands : Salvage - Orson Scott Card
Wastelands : The People of Sand and Slag - Paolo Bacigalupi
Wastelands : Bread and Bombs - M. Rickert
Wastelands : How We Got In Town and Out Again - Jonathan Lethem
Wastelands : Dark Dark Were the Tunnels - George R. R. Martin
Wastelands : Waiting for the Zephyr - Tobias S. Buckell
Wastelands : Never Despair - Jack McDevitt
Wastelands : When Sysadmins Ruled the Earth - Cory Doctorow
Wastelands : The Last of the O-Forms - James Van Pelt
Wastelands : Still Life With Apocalypse - Richard Kadrey
Wastelands : Artie's Angels - Catherine Wells
Wastelands : Judgment Passed - Jerry Oltion
Wastelands : Mute - Gene Wolfe
Wastelands : Inertia - Nancy Kress
Wastelands : And the Deep Blue Sea - Elizabeth Bear
Wastelands : Speech Sounds - Octavia E. Butler
Wastelands : Killers - Carol Emshwiller
Wastelands : Ginny Sweethips Flying Circus - Neal BarrettJr
Wastelands : The End of the World as We Know It - Dale Bailey
Wastelands : A Song Before Sunset - David Grigg
Wastelands : Episode Seven Last Stand Against the Pack in the Kingdom of Purple Flowers by John Langan


Calm mind lost.

4 out of 5


Gold
Always believe in your soul
Youve got the power to know

3.5 out of 5


Immortal ruined future's lack of taste for pets.

4.5 out of 5


Bad snow and strange candy.

3 out of 5


Scapeathon.

3 out of 5


Only a rat.
Pretty big, though.

4.5 out of 5


Late ship stress.

3.5 out of 5


Holo advice from Churchill.

4 out of 5


Biowar makes geekfu and gruntwork a necessary combination afterwards.

5 out of 5


Mutoid zoo show minigirl metamorphosis.

4 out of 5


Author has done it himself :

"Apocalypse is the last gasp of bureaucracy."

4 out of 5


Bike lord's legend.

4.5 out of 5


Mushroom message to heaven's afterlife lockout anecdote answer.

4 out of 5


Tv total dead zone.

3.5 out of 5


Quarantine lack of collapse restraint.

4.5 out of 5


A post-apocalyptic motorbike courier, really, really should have read Ghost Rider in her younger days.

4 out of 5


Literacy despair youth hope glimmer.

4.5 out of 5


He dumped me, but he's still pretty tasty.

3.5 out of 5


Sextape speedup shootout repair hookup.

4.5 out of 5


No Triffids, Kraken, Cuckoos or Lichen.

4 out of 5


I said sing, Piano Man, not strangle.

4 out of 5


Batboy postapocalyptic pregnant prey girl's only chance.

4.5 out of 5

The individual stories that make up this collection are very good. Tastes differ from reader to reader, but there's something for everyone in this long, varied collection. The best thing about this book, as others have mentioned, is the range of stories included.

Most of us come to post-apocalyptic literature from one angle or another, and Adams provides a good mix of the range of ideas that have swirled around the sub-genre since its inception. If you're new to the sub-genre, this is a great place to start. If you're familiar with it, these stories (and the appended bibliography) tell you where to go among today's authors for contemporary visions of Life After.

What an excellent anthology! I believe it takes a great effort and definitely talent and experience to create good anthologies. There are thousands of excellent short stories out there of post-apocalyptic nature. I am sure it takes an enormous amount of time to select few that encompass this greatly dramatic subject. John Joseph Adams has done an incredible job. Wastelands is definitely worth reading.
The stories collected here are hopeful, hopeless, romantic, dramatic, and in some cases even comedic. The range of emotions I felt while reading these stories is incredible. Honestly, I am a bit too emotional sometimes, so reading "The People of Sand and Slag" by P. Bacigalupi has truly saddened me, I wish I skipped this one. However, there are other stories that are in some ways more optimistic and positive, for example "Ginny Sweethips' Flying Circus" by N. Barrett and even "Judgment Passed" by J. Oltion (although I don't think many will agree with me on this one). And of course there are really scary stories like " Dark, Dark Were the Tunnels" by G. Martin and "Episode Seven" by John Langan. I think every person will feel a bit differently about each story.
I really like reading post-apocalyptic books, so maybe I am a bit biased when it comes to this subject. However, I do believe that even for people who've never read any "end of the world" books before, this one would be an excellent first read. So, again Wastelands is a great anthology, and I 100% recommend it!

I am a fan of Wolfe and I enjoyed the book, but unless you are already of fan of Gene Wolfe, I would suggest starting with "Free, Live Free" or the New Sun series.
As a first novel it is an extraordinary work and most of his work compares with some of the greatest writers in the English language and that is the problem. Rossi's assesment of it being unreadable is as over the top as saying it should take a place on your shelf beside The Bard and Dickens, but for most readers it will be about as much fun as reading classic books for English Lit.
I want you to give Wolfe a try, but start somewhere else and don't let fan club comments of the five star crowd push you into the deep end.

Peace had been on my shelve for a long time, until, on one quiet sunday afternoon, I decided to go to my bookshelves and pull it out to read.

I closed it with a big gasp, only a couple days later.

This book is one of those that draw people into the genre. It is a very well written, thought provoking novel, that begs for a re read after the last line.

Gene Wolfe proves himself to be a master wordsmith, his writing is, for lack of a better word, succulent. If you are ready to be mesmerized by a book of magnificent literary proportion, read this one.

what a wonderful book! i absolutely loved it, but i admit it is not for some people. it requires careful reading and thought to come to an understanding of the book. while the previous reveiw claimed that the book was highly readable, i would have to disagree. it is complex and many layered. sure, it is not as dense as many of the literary greats but it is not a walk in teh park either. one of my favorites, i highly reccomend it.

Agreed with the foregoing: PEACE is indeed a "haunting and frighteningly literate retelling" of Edgar Lee Masters's SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY, situated somewhere on the literary spectrum between H.P. Lovecraft and Sherwood Anderson. What is most remarkable about PEACE, to me, is the way it defies any easy categorization, from genre (it's not exactly science fiction, but if not, what is it?) to form (ostensibly the interrelated, and frequently interrupted, deathbed ramblings of an old man, which ultimately construct their own dream-like architecture). In this sense PEACE is most similar to the novels of Jonathan Carroll, who mines similar territory.

My only caveats would be Tor's tiny, occluded typesetting (a valid regret, as noted elsewhere here) and the fact that Wolfe chooses to drop us into Weer's meditations without any gloss or preparation. The first thirty pages are indeed rough going--even for those of us who were in fact schooled on Joyce, Garcia Marquez, and Faulkner.

Like Carroll, Alan Garner, and other contemporary fabulists, Wolfe has yet to receive his due from the mainstream literary establishment. It's a pity. This novel should have at least started that ball rolling, long ago.

It seems to be Gene Wolfe's fate that his most marvelous works be re-issued by his current publisher with the most hideous, second-rate cover designs. While Peace may be an after-thought for his editor, it certainly is not for his readers. Peace is a haunting selection of memories, nightmares and moments of joy from the life of a very successful, lonely old businessman named Alden Weer. So carefully and cleverly is the story written, that at times you are not sure whether the narrator is deluding himself or only for the first time confronting the possibility that he is guilty not only of neglect...but of monstrous crimes. As for the reader below who apparently likes his fiction explicated in color-by-numbers fashion, anything written for adults would probably strike him as hopelessly impenetrable as James Joyce.

Gene Wolfe's "Soldier" series, of which SOLDIER IN THE MIST is the first volume, chronicles the experiences of Latro, a Roman mercenary formerly fighting for the Persians against the Greeks. Wounded in a battle outside the temple of Demeter, Latro is cursed by the Goddess to perpetually forget his experiences everyday. His only means of retaining some memory of his life is to write daily in his scroll, and therefore the narrative is first-person. As a curious recompense, Latro gains the ability to see the Olympian gods at work in the world, and forms a bridge between the Greeks and their understanding of the divine world.

The novel begins with Latro's awakening after the battle and discovery of his new forgetfulness. A defeated mercenary of the enemy, he is made a slave and frequently shifted from owner to owner. The book climaxes one of the last battles of the Persian Wars, and hints at the coming Peloponnesian Wars.

I thought the series quite disappointing because there is little direction. Instead, these two novels chronicle aimless meanderings. In Wolfe's masterpiece The Book of the New Sun, Severian's ultimate fate was to become the New Sun and save Urth, and The Book of the Long Sun led to the deliverance of the Whorl's inhabitants. In Latro's chronicles, on the other hand, there is no specific goal, and Wolfe basically uses Latro to explore Greece of 2,500 years ago and its culture which can seem as alien to the modern reader as anything in a science-fiction work. This is less fascinating then it sounds; I'm a Classics major I found the narrative lackluster.

Indeed, the series suffers from the common problem of historical fiction - trying to fit the protagonist into too many major events. It feels more that Wolfe created Latro to show off his favourite historic events instead of developing a solid protagonist and working from there. Similarly, because Latro can see the gods, it occasionally seems like Wolfe brings in each god or godess in order to have them all included somewhere instead of using this plot device only when absolutely necessary.

At least this volume doesn't suffer from its problems to the degree of its sequels, so I'm giving it three stars. In SOLDIER OF ARETE there's a confusing scene in which Latro finds himself in Thrace that drags on for what seems even longer than the infamous tunnels subplot of The Book of the Long Sun. I haven't even read SOLDIER OF SIDON, but reviews indicate it gets even worse.

In you've never read Wolfe's acclaimed and genuinely stunning writing, I'd recommend starting with The Book of the New Sun. The "Soldier" series sprung from an interesting concept - to chart the lives of the Greeks and their ancient society through an unreliable narrator - but the implementation is unsatisfying and the series so far ranks among Wolfe's lesser works.

Anybody who has seen the recent movie "Memento" knows the premise: the protagonist (in this case a wounded mercenary) has lost his longterm memory, and so can only remember what happens to him for one day. In both the movie and this book, he tries to compensate by writing down what he needs to know. Gene Wolfe's fine novel, however, far predates "Memento", and the world it describes, Greece in the 5th century BC, is a far more exotic and alien place.

As a piece of craft, this is a wonderful book--full of apt and elegant descriptions, sparely but deftly rendered characters, and eruptions of violence that pack surprising power. Wolfe is a writer who transcends the genre he happens to be working in, which is something of a miracle in today's pigeon-holed, dumbed-down publishing climate. My only complaint is that he perhaps takes his conceit too far, throwing in one or two too many shifts in time and place (and, in the case of one character, even gender) so that the plot remains less involving that it might have been.

All in all, this is a remarkable achievement.

Someone said elsewhere that this felt like an exercise for Wolfe, and I know what they mean-- using a Memento-like plot (a main character who loses his memory at the end of every day) Wolfe sketches the world of ancient Greece through the eyes of a soldier named Latro.

The details are compelling-- I was uninterested in the real historical value (people should not be trying to derive history lessons from fantasy novels) but Wolfe does a good job, as usual, of creating a realistic and detailed world for Latro to inhabit.

The plot is somewhat less compelling. It is nearly a necessity of the trope that he chose that the plot becomes confusing (particularly in times when Latro couldn't write his journal) and I'm sad to say that I often didn't feel any kind of guiding line that was coherent enough to motivate me through the confusion.

Interesting for Wolfe completists or real fans of historical fiction, not a place to begin with his work otherwise.

I recently picked this book up again and re-read it after many years. I remembered enjoying it the first time round, and did so again this time. On re-reading it I am both more and less impressed by Wolfe on second reading! More, because I really enjoyed the plot, the character of Latro with his supporting characters and the way the very nature of the plot causes sudden plot breaks. Less, because in places it felt a bit too neo-pagan influenced when presenting the gods and goddesses, and he presented the gods based on reconstruction, which I felt caused them to lack a little in places where he could have used his wonderful imagination to great advantage. The deities were a golden oppurtunity for Wolfe to really excel in a way we know he can from his short stories and the New Sun books. For that reason I only give the book 4 stars, though I still think it is very enjoyable and ought to be read by anyone interested in ancient Greece, fantasy or just good novels.!

This book is set in Ancient Greece, during the Persian Wars. The protagonist, Latro, is a soldier who has recieved a head wound and forgets very quickly. Therefore, he keeps a journal to tell himself who he is and what has happened to him--and that journal is this book. When I first heard about this, I was skeptical that a coherent novel could be written this way, but Wolfe makes it work without stretching believability too much.

Wolfe describes the setting effectively. In order to prevent the reader from using prior knowledge of Greek history or mythology to unfair advantage, he usually replaces the Greek proper names with the protagonist's translations (sometimes incorrect!), which are then rendered into English. This makes the reader nearly as disoriented as the characters, making the book more interesting. Some readers may be annoyed that Wolfe never stops to explain anything, but I think it's better this way, since it avoids the contrived plot devices and character behavior that are often necessary for more explicit exposition. Wolfe's characters are realistic enough, and it's interesting to watch Latro's development as a character and the ways he deals with his affliction.

Of course, I do have some complaints. The first few chapters were boring, and sometimes the plot seemed to drift, as if the author, as well as Latro, had forgotten what he was doing. This aside, Soldier of the Mist could make a good introduction to Wolfe for those who find the New Sun series intimidating. I rarely had much trouble with that longer (and better) work, but some do, and they may be glad that the worldbuilding, allusions, and descriptive language have been toned down. If you have already read and liked Wolfe, then read this. It won't change your life, but it is a solid and rewarding novel.

Simply put, Gene Wolfe uses the written English language better than any other writer alive today.

Read anything of his that you can.

These are stories for people who love to read, and to reread, and to think about what they've read -- for people who love the feeling that they're playing a game with the author as they read -- and for people who don't mind losing that game b/c they realize that just *playing* against an adversary this good is better than winning any number of games against normal players ...

A terrific collection which contains:

The Tree Is my Hat
The Old Woman Whose Rolling Pin is the Sun
The Friendship Light
Slow Children At Play
Under Hill
The Monday Man
The Waif
The Legend of Xi Cygnus
The Sailor Who Sailed After the Sun
How the Bishop Sailed to Inniskeen
Houston, 1943
A Fish Story
Wolfer
The Eleventh City
The Night Chough
The Wrapper
A Traveller in Desert Lands
The Walking Sticks
Queen
Pocketsful of Diamonds
Copperhead
The Lost Pilgrim

Some notes:
"The Old Woman Whose Rolling Pin is the Sun" is NOT connected to the Long Sun cycle. However, "The Night Chough" is (linked to the Long Sun/Short Sun series).

"Slow Children At Play" is linked to, and evidently happens *after*, Wolfe's story "The Arimaspian Legacy," which can be found in his _Starwater Strains_.

Wolfe's talent for horror (not graphic or disgusting, but chilling and terrifying) is on display here in several stories, including (but not limited to) "The Friendship Light" "The Monday Man, "Fish Story" "Walking Sticks" and "The Eleventh City."

It often helps me to find a context for a Wolfe story. For instance, if you haven't read _Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde_ recently, reread it after you read "Walking Sticks".

In the same vein, "Pocketsful of Diamonds" feels to me like Wolfe doing a P.L. Travers story. Read PL Travers' Mary Poppins Books, esp. "Full Moon," "Evening Out" "High Tide" "Happy Ever After" and "Hallowe'en". Then reread "Pocketsful" and see if you agree.

One cannot, of course, write a review of a collection of short stories the same way on writes a review of a novel. A novel is one piece, a collection many. But enough chains run through "Innocents Aboard" to deal with it as a whole. This is not because Wolfe specifically picked out works that would function well together. But here's an amazing thing about Wolfe's career: that although it has spanned three decades, twenty plus novels and hundreds of smaller tales covering a rather mind-blowing variety of settings, set-ups, and deliveries, he has managed to clutch tightly to common threads throughout.

Thread number one, perhaps, is the slipperiness of the narrator. A well-known critic has remarked that Wolfe's career goal may be to prove that there is no reliable narrator. He's covered all possible types one by one, showing us the dangers of trusting a person who has perfect memory or no memory at all, high intelligence or complete immaturity, and so forth. In "Innocents Aboard" many stories open with problems of reliability. Of necessity, as this book contains only fantasy and dark fantasy/horror tales, everything that takes place must be somewhat strange. As such, the narrators know that their listeners may be skeptical of what they hear. Often times they say as much outright, and are reassured that the listeners are at least willing to listen.

For instance "The Monday Man" begins when an average Joe asks his policeman friend to go fishing. But the policeman friend always refuses invitations to fishing trips, and eventually decides to explain why. His story, a delicious twist on a standard police tale, features a blue-jeans thief who defies expectations by turning out to be less than what he seems, and wraps with a quite comepelling reason to avoid the sport of angling. But the point, in Wolfe's view, is how to reconcile the huge intrusion of the supernatural into reasonably normal human existence. He does it with style, as always.

The other stories in "Innocents Aboard" range everywhere, from the mythological tale "The Old Woman whose Roling Pin is the Sun" to the historical horror fest "The Desert Traveler". True to form, not everything is as simple as "The Monday Man"; some, such as "The Tree is My Hat" and "Houston, 1943" will require devoted rereads to ferret out their meaning. But again true to form, they're mainly worth the effort.

For decades Gene Wolfe has received lavish praise from fellow writers and fans of science fiction and fantasy as the finest writer currently at work in both genres. He merely reaffirms such praise in his latest collection of short stories, "Innocents Aboard", which contains some of the best writing I've seen from him in years. It is a riveting collection of 22 fantasy and horror tales, with some loose elements from science fiction thrown here and there for good measure, and elements which could be described as "Magical Realism". My favorite tale is "Houston, 1943", which is sort of a bizarre twist from "Peter Pan" and other classic tales of childhood, along with sections which Wolfe claims is autobiographical. The final tale in the collection "The Lost Pilgrim", about a time traveler who stumbles upon the truth behind certain ancient Greek legends, is another classic. Those unfamiliar with Gene Wolfe's influential body of work may find this a minor introduction, but one which shows him still crafting great literary art in his 70's; others more familiar with his work will undoubtedly embrace it as much as I have.

This short story collection has given Gene Wolfe a break from the gigantic sweeping epics of his more famous volumes, so he can explore some less portentous and more whimsical ideas. The stories here include everything from typical fantasy and hard science, to time travel and semi-autobiography. One reoccurring concept in these stories is the fine line between magic and reality, which is Wolfe's forte. Winners here include the disturbing xenophobia tale "The Waif," a bizarre mix of Arthurian chivalry and alternate history in "Under Hill," an exploration of the true purpose of people who share the author's last name in "Wolfer," and a strangely disconcerting tale of twisted time travel to ancient Greece in "The Lost Pilgrim." A slight weakness of this collection is the inclusion of several short stories that appear to be simple exercises in exploratory writing based on old fairy tales and legends. Such stories are fun to read but tend to not really go anywhere, such as "The Sailor Who Sailed After the Sun," "A Fish Story," or "The Eleventh City" - though one exception is the intriguing stylized lullaby "The Old Woman Whose Rolling Pin is the Sun," which was created for Wolfe's granddaughter. But overall this is a very engaging, if sometimes underwhelming, collection of tales from one of the true masters of speculative fiction. [~doomsdayer520~]

I ended up staying up far too late the night I got this book, because I kept telling myself I'd just read one more. The stories were well-written (I especially loved "Worse than the Curse" and "Casting Against Type"), and while the theme was definitely evident in all the stories, it was not hammered in. A touch of spice, rather than an overwhelming topnote.

I found Such A Pretty Face a delightful romp from one end to the other. I very much enjoyed the concept that someone's size is irrelevant to their personality and abilities. The characters were people first and fat/large/whatever second, something I think more characters (and people) should try. I intend to buy many copies to give as gifts and would recommend this book to anyone who is tired of the fat versus thin stereotypes. These stories prove that there is more to people than just their packaging.

No, I haven't any reason to think it will be a series, but I can hope, can't I?

I ran across the book back in July and fell in with the cover painting. Then I saw that it was edited by Lee Martindale, someone I remembered encountering (and respecting) in the size acceptance newsgroups. At that point I probably would have bought it no matter what, but the theme of the anthology cinched it.

I finished it within 48 hours of getting it, and it was wonderful. As usual with any anthology, I enjoyed some stories more than others. I think "Demon Bone" by Teresa Noelle Roberts had to be my favorite story. The poem "Fat Is Not A Fairy Tale" by Jane Yolen and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough's story "Worse Than The Curse" were awfully good, though :-) Paula L. Fleming's "Polyformus Perfectus" left me wishing it were the beginning of a novel rather than a short story.

I've already recommended this book to quite a few people, but I have a feeling I'll be handing it out to more. I'll probably buy a hardback copy to keep and loan out the paperback, but I'll be buying some copies to give as gifts as well.

And if I EVER find a print of the cover painting by Doug Beekman, it's going in a place of honor in my living room.

This is an anthology about fat people published by Meisha Merlin Publishing. Such SF/F luminaries as Jody Lynn Nye, Gene Wolfe, Jane Yolen, Elizabeth Ann Scarborough, K.D. Wentworth, and a host of others present a look at another view of the hero. A princess is cursed, and starts a new fashion trend, a sizeable selkie is the love of a man's life, a forty-year-old fat bi . . . uh, woman rediscovers the joy of creation on a lonely dirt road, and a couple of truly fat cats are far more than they appear. These and more stories just as exciting grace the pages of this thoughtful, wildly funny, and excellent volume of stories.

"Such A Pretty Face" puts more than just a new look at an old stereotype. Editor Lee Martindale has put together an amazing collection of size-positive short stories to celebrate a new era of heroes. With contributions from both well-established authors to new-comers in the genre, these stories are inspiring and entertaining. They affirm the beauty and abilities of a snubbed majority - the person of size. This collection is ground-breaking, exciting, and long overdue, but has been well worth the wait...and weight.

I always like collections of stories, because besides the authors you already know (the stories you try to collect), you always can find one or two knew pearls, new authors to discover

"The Sorcerer's Apprentice" by Robert Silverberg - The twist is that the sorcerer is actually a woman, and the apprentice is a young man who is instantly smitten by her. However, she treats him coldly...most of the time.

"Perpetua" by Kit Reed - Strange story in which a father's love is carried too far.

"The Edges of Never-Haven" by Catherine Asaro - In the town of Never-Haven, people live in curved houses and cannot create any straight line, not even a line in the dirt, without summoning demons.

"Pat Moore" by Tim Powers - Brilliant, suspenseful ghost story.

"Six Hypotheses" by Joyce Carol Oates - Strange story showing six hypotheses for the basis of a violent incident in a seemingly normal family.

"The Silver Dragon" by Elizabeth A. Lynn - In this land the King can shapechange into a dragon.

"Fallen Angel" by L.E. Modesitt, Jr. - Devout religious people may not care for this story much.

"The Following" by P.D. Cacek - Chilling ghost story with a twist.

"A Tower With No Doors" by Dennis L. McKiernan - Nice take on Rapunzel

"Boomerang" by Larry Niven - Too short to describe

"Wonderwall" by Elizabeth Hand - Sorry, don't remember much about this one (I don't have the book anymore)

"Blood, Oak, Iron" by Janny Wurts - Every time a King dies, the successor is possessed by an evil spirit. Can the cycle ever be broken?

"Riding Shotgun" by Charles de Lint - A man clearing out his deceased father's estate stumbles upon an old car and is transported back in time to a critical event in his past.

"Demons Hide Their Faces" by A.A. Attasnasio - A skeptical young man discovers the truth about missing books.

"Relations" by Nina Kiriki Hoffman - Can't remember

"Tourists" by Neal Barrett, Jr. - Can't remember

"The White Man" by Thomas M. Disch - A chilling tale of race relations and vampires.

"Out of the Woods" by Patricia A. McKillip - can't remember

"Perchance to Dream" by David Morrell - A doctor tries to treat a patient for sleep disorder.

"Coming Across" by Harry Turtledove - Elves who can live forever (if they don't die of boredom-literally) created a gate to visit another world (ours) in search of interesting experiences. Little do they know what they will find and accidentally bring back with them.

"The Problem of Susan" by Neil Gaiman - Related to C.S. Lewis's The Last Battle

"Keeper of Lost Dreams" by Orson Scott Card - A young person discovers he is the keeper of the title

"Watchfire" by Raymond E. Feist & Janny Wurts - can't remember

"Tots" by Peter Schneider - Four-year old children who fight each other to death for the amusement of adults

"Jupiter's Skull" by Jeffrey Ford - A strange psychic woman leaves a legacy in tea leaves for a man and woman who had visited her often when she was alive.

"Death's Door" by Terry Bisson - What happens when the dying can't die?

"Bill, the Little Steam Shovel" by Joe R. Lansdale - A totally irreverent, hilarious tale of a steam shovel who dreams of being more than he is.

"Sleepover" by Al Sarrantonio - Two children wake up on a flat, deserted, alien plain.

"Golden City Far" by Gene Wolfe - A young man's dreams invade his waking life.

A wonderful mix of classic and modern fantasy, as well as stories that defy categorizing. Despite the title, the stories are not about flights or flying. Not all of the stories are winners, but there is enough good stuff here to warrant a 5 star recommendation.

My personal favorites: "Pat Moore" by Tim Powers, "The Silver Dragon" by Elizabeth A. Lynn, "Riding Shotgun" by Charles de Lint, "Coming Across" by Harry Turtledove, and "Bill, the Little Steam Shovel" by Joe R. Lansdale.

I initially bought this book out of my love for Neil Gaiman and his fiction. I wanted to read a rather elusive short story of his, which I wasn't disappointed by. To further add to my pleasure was how engaging the other tales were. All were imaginative, unique, and - at times - impossible to put down.

The only reason I didn't give this a perfect 5 out of 5 was because, as with any anthology, the stories can be hit or miss. While most of the authors and their respective styles compliment the collection, there are a few that just didn't grip me like the others. Keep in mind, this is more of a personal tastes issue than a comment against the authors, so I won't name names. I'll just finish by saying if you like fantasy anthologies, this is a wonderful addition.

I didn't quite know what to expect from such a tile, what they meant by extreme. It's mostly unusual ways to approach fantasy, intended for an audience that matured from dragons and elves and expects a little bit more. I found many of the stories refreshingly original, twisted, and mind-bending. Among my favorites was a new take on Rapunzel told by an unlikely character, a sweet and sad story of a fallen angel, an interesting visit to Hell, and last but not least, a lion a bit too friendly to a certain witch. I also found some useful information, like how to tell when there's a demon around, by an unusual separation of cold and hot air. Good to know. An entertaining collection on the whole and that will most likely make me search for more books from some of the authors.

Just received this this week,(good way to start the new year) and I'm impressed with this book but I'm not surprised with
anything that Al Sarrantonio put his hands to. What a cast of
characters that deliver these stories. I'm just finishing up
the great American East Texas storyteller Joe R. Lansdale and
his new story, "Bill, the little steam shovel" and its nothing
like I've read by Joe before but its so good, so like Joe Lansdale in its detail, humor and vision. This anthology has
so many great stories and what a list of who's who... Orson Scott Card, Joyce
Carol Oats, Neal Barrett jr., Charles De Lint, P.D. Cacek,
Robert Silverberg, Nina Hoffman, Neil Gaiman, David Morrell,
Ray Feist as well as the above master story teller Joe Lansdale
this is a great way to spend extra time around the holidays!
Pick your favorites!

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Author of Spurgeon on Leadership

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University of Mobile

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Co-author of CHRISTIAN SHRINKS Answer ALL Your Questions...(No Couch Required)

"Dr. Frank Kirksey's work on expository preaching is one of the best and most complete books on this subject. . ."
Dr. Charles A. Williams, President, Southern Baptist School for Biblical Studies,Jacksonville, Florida
Author of Look Out Brother

Dr. Kirksey's book, Sound Biblical Preaching, is well-organized and readable book. . .Since I teach research in my English Composition course, I want to use Dr. Kirksey's book to demonstrate to students how to merge quotations to make an organic whole: the student's own work but incorporating the ideas of many people.
Dr. Paul M. Sorrells, English instructor
Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute
Hendersonville, North Carolina

"Beginning ministers will get a good start on the bedrock basic principles of preaching, and experienced ministers will review the basics."
Dr. Harold T. Bryson, Chair, Department of Christian Studies and Philosophy, Mississippi College, Clinton, Mississippi
Author of Expository Preaching: The Art of Preaching Through a Book of the Bible

"Your book [Sound Biblical Preaching] is one that I will recommend for pastors, young ministers, and laymen interested in sound biblical preaching."
Pastor Alejandro "Alex" Pajaro serves as Hispanic ministries director, Elmore Baptist Association, Wetumpka, Alabama. Pajaro has been in the preaching ministry for more than forty years and is involved in mentoring Hispanic ministers.

"Every preacher today will profit from this thorough and strong plea for sound Biblical preaching."
Dr. C. Sumner Wemp
The MENTOR ministry sumnerwemp.com Dallas, Texas.
Author of The Practical Guide to Pastoring

"In Sound Biblical Preaching Dr. Franklin Kirksey places the proper historical perspective on Scripture as the ultimate source of truth."
Albert Lipscomb, Former Alabama State Senator (1989-2002)
Lipscomb has also served as Chairman of the Baldwin County Commission.
Lipscomb currently serves as a deacon at Vernant Park Baptist Church in Magnolia Springs, Alabama.

"Dr. Kirksey has addressed clearly and helpfully the Biblical mandate and mission of the preacher. Filled with memorable quotations and illustrations, Dr. Kirksey's concise volume paints an accurate and inspiring picture of what sound Biblical preaching is and who the sound Biblical preacher must be."
Dr. David L. Olford , President, Olford Ministries International, Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Olford is co-authored of Anointed Expository Preaching and editor of A Passion for Preaching.

"Dr. Franklin Kirksey is qualified to write about Sound Biblical Preaching because this is his life. Dr. Kirksey has practiced sound biblical preaching for many years. Dr. Kirksey demonstrates a grasp of the principles of preaching the Word of God."
Dr. John H. Killian, D.Min., Pastor Maytown Baptist Church,Maytown, AL., Adjunct Professor New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, President, 2006 Alabama Baptist Pastors Conference

"I have read your book and was greatly blessed. This book has the greatest collection of the finest quotes from preachers through the ages. I highly recommend this book to not only help pastors in sermon preparation but also to encourage the soul in the work of the preacher."
Dr. Kerry L. Skinner has served in pastoral roles for 30 years with an emphasis in Christian discipleship and pastoral counseling. He has co-authored many books with Dr. Henry Blackaby and Dr. Henry Brandt. Kerry also has developed and written curriculum for Prison Fellowship Ministry.
Kerry also served as associate to Dr. Henry Blackaby in the office of Prayer, Revival, and Spiritual Awakening for the North American Mission Board and later served as executive vice-president of Henry Blackaby Ministries. His books help people to practically deal with life-dominating issues and include, The Heart of the Problem, The Word for the Wise, Marriage God's Way and The Joy of Repentance.

"Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey's book, Sound Biblical Preaching: Giving the Bible a Voice, is much needed by the church today."
Dr. Darrell W. Robinson, President
Total Church Life Ministries, Inc.,The Woodlands, Texas
Author of Total Church Life

"In 'Sound Biblical Preaching' my friend and fellow preacher of the Gospel, Dr. Franklin Kirksey, has issued a needed call for careful preparation and enthusiastic delivery of expository sermons. I have given this book to several preachers."
Dr. Larry C. Patterson,Director of Missions Baldwin Baptist Association
Silverhill, Alabama

"I enjoyed reading Sound Biblical Preaching. In fact, I had to read it in one setting because I was so intrigued by it I couldn't put it down. I plan on purchasing some copies for our pastors and using it to encourage them. Well done."
Marc D. Howard
Director of Missions, Lee/Itawamba Baptist Assns, Mississippi

"Excellent book!"
Terry Wilhite , Communications & Multimedia Specialist
Wilhite's leadership, communication, music and multimedia columns have appeared internationally in some of the world's most respected online and printed venues. More than 90,000 readers have enjoyed his monthly columns in publications such as Technologies for Worship Magazine, Christian Computing and Pulpit Helps .

"It is really exciting to see a book that lives up to its title..Sound Biblical Preaching! Dr. Kirksey is committed to sound biblical preaching and this fact is revealed on each page."
Dr. Paul Blanchard, Associational Missions Director Winston Baptist Association, Louisville, Mississippi

"Preachers young and old will find encouragement and inspiration in Sound Biblical Preaching to faithfully expound the Word of God."
Dr. Al Jackson , Pastor,Lakeview Baptist Church
Director satellite internship/seminary program
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Auburn, Alabama

"Are you seeking a vital union with God and a deeper sense of personal wholeness? Then let Dr. Kirksey help to break up the 'fallow ground'. His insights in Sound Biblical Preaching are down-to-earth, practical and thoroughly Biblical. He delves to the heart of what it means to 'preach the word' with conviction and power. This collection of wisdom deserves a serious reading by the serious pastor and the hungry teacher."
Stephen Goforth, Broadcast Manager & Asst. Prof. of Journalism University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi
Goforth joins the Student Media Center after a seven year stint at CNN as anchor, writer and producer. Stephen earned his Masters Degree in Broadcast Journalism from The American University in Washington, DC. While in the nation's capital, he anchored radio network news for Salem Radio Network (airing on more than 100 stations) and worked in a variety of TV positions in the media covering Congress and the federal courts including producer for the America's Voice Network's flagship show.

"[Sound] Biblical Preaching is easy to read and understand. It is challenging and thought provoking."
Dorothy P. Jones, Former Director, Cottage Hill Baptist Church Tract Ministry, Mobile, Alabama

I also took time to read your book while in Africa, and I thoroughly enjoyed it and was challenged to work
more diligently than ever in preparing and preaching expositional biblical messages in my own ministry."
Rev. Terry A. Veazey , Harvesters International, Montgomery, Alabama. Since 1970, Evangelist Terry Veazey has traveled more than three million miles world-wide, proclaiming the Gospel in most of the USA and in more than fifty nations on five continents. Multitudes have trusted in Jesus Christ during Terry's evangelistic campaigns, and thousands of native church leaders are being trained to reach their own regions with the Gospel.

"Dr. Kirksey's scholarship provides the deepest foundation for those who teach and preach, giving God's Word a voice."
Glenn M. Gring, Retired Pastor, Hospital Chaplain, and Counselor; Former Chaplain, University of South Alabama Medical Center, Mobile, Alabama; Former Director Baptist Student Union (now Baptist Campus Ministry), University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama

"This book will help bring focus to those trying to determine if God has called them to preach."
Dr. Robert E. (Bob) Reccord, President
North American Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention
Author of Forged By Fire: How God Shapes Those He Loves

"Your book is. . . a walking tool alongside the Bible that any minister who wants to grow in preaching should never miss."
Rev. Richard Wasike, Richminster Christian Foundation,Bulimbo, Kenya, Africa

"Sound Biblical Preaching is a 'must read' for any pastor/preacher who desires to be the best communicator possible."
Dr. Harold D. Fanning, Senior Pastor
Autumnwood Baptist Church, Decatur, Alabama
Author of Life in the Skillet and Life Along a Dirt Road

"It's a fast read with powerful punch. . . you'll finish this book declaring, 'This one thing I do--Preach the Word!'"
Dr. Ron Susek, Evangelist
Susek Evangelistic Association,Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Author of Firestorm: Preventing And Overcoming Church Conflicts

"Franklin Kirksey has done an outstanding job of research and resource in his book, Sound Biblical Preaching."
Dr. Edwin F. Jenkins, Pastor
First Baptist Church,Athens, Alabama
Author of Strategic Church Health Initiative

"Especially helpful are the many quotes and insights from scholars and practitioners of preaching. I commend this book to you!"
Dr. Alvin L. Reid, Professor of Evangelism/Bailey Smith Chair of Evangelism,Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, North Carolina
Author of Firefall: How God Has Shaped History Through Revivals

"Sound Biblical Preaching. . . will. . .inspire and encourage the preacher personally to fulfill the call to preach the Word."
Walter M. Blackman, Pastor
East Highland Baptist Church,Hartselle, Alabama
Writer for LifeWay Church Resources, Nashville, Tennessee

"I recommend Dr. Franklin's book to all. . .Sound Biblical Preaching has really assisted us in Kenya. . . "
Pastor Fredrick Makhanu, Co-Founder MEIF International Fire Ministries, Kenya, East Africa

"This book is great. I believe a must read for young pastors."
Jim Seago, Director of Missions, Pulaski Baptist Association, Waynesville, Missouri

"Sound Biblical Preaching ought to be on the required reading list for every preaching class in every college and seminary in America. . ."
Dr. Phil Glisson, Evangelist
Former President of the Fellowship of Tennessee Baptist Evangelists
Memphis, Tennessee

"Copies of this book should be in every pastor's study as well as church libraries for prospective pastors."
Evelyn Glass, Librarian, Cottage Hill Baptist Church, Mobile, Alabama

"In life's journey we need gentle, sometimes subtle and urgent, reminders of our mission. Franklin does that in his work."
Dr. Bobby E. Hopper, Director of Missions, Bethel Baptist Association, Linden, Alabama.

"Dr. Kirksey, by his extensive research, has accumulated a great deal of godly wisdom in 'Sound Biblical Preaching'. . ."
Major W. Ian Thomas, Founder and General Director
Torchbearers International,Estes Park, Colorado
Author of The Saving Life of Christ, If I Perish, I Perish and The Indwelling Life of Christ

". . . this book will help the man of God who desires to communicate truth with power."
Dr. Ron Herrod,Evangelist
R.H.E.M.A. International,Sevierville, Tennessee
Author of Faith Under Fire

"It is with enthusiasm that I recommend Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey's book titled Sound Biblical Preaching, to any preacher..."
Dr. Lewis A. Drummond, Evangelism Professor in Residence,Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove,Ashville, North Carolina
Author of The Awakening that Must Come

Dr. Kirksey's book is a good companion to the new book, THE NEW GUIDEBOOK FOR PASTORS. The new guidebook seeks to promote expository preaching and has a chapter by Mac Brunson on expository preaching. Dr. Kirksey's book goes into great detail how to do that kind of preaching. It is a must for every pastor's library.

Dr. Kirksey's book, "Sound Biblical Preaching: Giving The Bible A Voice," is one of the finest books on preaching I have ever read. It is a must read for the newly called preacher, for the man in the midst of ministry and for the seasoned man of God who has preached for many years. I have been preaching God's Word for 39 years and I can say without equivocation that I wish this book had been available when I began my ministry. Get this book - it will renew your calling, enhance your ministry and help to enflame your preaching!

Dr. J. Mike Minnix
Editor, www.pastorlife.com
Georgia Baptist Convention
Atlanta , Georgia

" Dr. Franklin Kirksey has given the pastoral ministry a great gift in his book Sound Biblical Preaching. As a church planter and a mentor to church planters, I believe this book will help every church planter to a call to biblical preaching in such a way that will lay the foundations for the future of the new church. Dr. Kirksey has given an anthology of preaching and preachers that will be invaluable to every student of preaching. This fresh reminder of the call to ministry, and the committment to expository preaching and teaching is invaluable to the foundations of a new church. May we see the day as biblical preaching, God-called visionary leadership, sound growth principles, and just hard work will raise up millions of new churches who see their calling as world mission strategy centers, every Christian leader as a mission strategist, and every believer a kingdom mission agent in the marketplace. I believe that Sound Biblical Preaching will be a valuable contribution to see this new day a reality."

Dr. George W. Garner has served as a pastor for many years and as Association Director of Missions/Church Starter Strategist, 1990-2001, Platte Valley Baptist Association, Flagler, CO; National Missionary for Town and Country Church Planting, North
American Mission Board, SBC, 2001-2004; State Director of Missions/Leadership Consultant, Utah-Idaho Southern Baptist Convention, 2004-2006. Dr. Garner is currently serving under appointment with NAMB in a dual role to be a church planting catalyst in the Colorado Baptist Convention and to lead Ken Caryl Baptist Church to be a model as an Acts 1:8 Church Planting Church.

Franklin Kirksey's commitment to solid biblical preaching is demonstrated on every page. This book will be of value to any preacher who wishes to more effectively proclaim God's Word.

Michael Duduit
Editor, Preaching magazine
www.preaching.com