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Things Improbable
Welcome to a world of things improbable. Here you'll find the apocalypse isn't as upsetting as expected, and that golems are good at carrying a tune. Look and you'll see divinities beside demons, along with hungry bone fairies, and a bigfoot immortal. Here a fallen angel is more foul-mouthed than angelic, while a Māori monster isn't quite so monstrous. Come look through the spectral spectacles of a Cantonese boy one strange city night, find a kindness cure for your local rougarou, and solve a very tiny library crime. Whatever improbable things you seek, open these covers and take a peek. Ghosts and giants and changelings await.
- GenresFantasyAnthologies
312 pages, Hardcover
Published February 28, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 28, 2023
Happy release day!!!!
Massive thanks to Improbable Press and editor Atlin Merrick for the opportunity to be almost the first to read yet another collection that somehow catered specfically to me, a nonbinary cryptid myself. Full of beautiful stories promoting acceptance of the strange and different among us, not to mention a frankly delightful multitude of they-them pronouns among its contributor roster, Things Improbable is everything that I have come to love about this diverse, inclusive indie press.
One of my favorite things about anthologies from Improbable Press is that they don't quite fit the mainstream mold; stories will be scarcely a couple paragraphs long, they'll be told in strange tenses, or, like the memorable opening of this collection, told completely in dialogue without scene-setting description or anything. The fact that "Instrument of Destruction" by Dominick Cancilla still communicates a story well is so cool, and a testament to good, strategic writing choices.
It's always difficult to rate an anthology by nature, but like always, I'll do my best to highlight the standouts for me in this. A couple stories in is "Oddnoq" by Iris Black, a story featuring a world built around the concept of monsters under the bed. This one had me choked up; it was a phenomenal story of trans acceptance, of trans celebration, and the fact that the first creature that Rachel felt comfortable coming out to was a shapeshifting, potentially terrifying presence under the bed was just so great. The whole story subverted monster tropes in the best way.
In fact, a lot of this anthology completely flipped tropes and lore; that's what I loved about it. I was chortling at the way "(Ir)reconcilable Divinities" by Laura Simons examines the benefits a modern world can offer Hades and Persephone's relationship. "Entrée" by Jen Frankel says, literally, screw the virgin sacrifice trope.
Patrick Hurley's "Sung Heroes" is a tale of quiet, emotional surrealism that just...fits in today's world, where bleakness wars with hope daily, and music helps so many of us get through.
"The Flatwoods Monster and the Little Green Men" was great commentary on gender identity and human nature, as told by a local cryptid.
Last but not least, my absolute favorite was "The Reason for Lingering" by Kellye Guinan, which was a Hozier song let loose in written form. It was dark, it was sad, it was poetically vengeful, and it summoned old things from the earth that many people have forgotten about.
If any of this sounds remotely up your alley, I highly recommend supporting Improbable Press and their stellar contributors on release day, February 28th.
Massive thanks to Improbable Press and editor Atlin Merrick for the opportunity to be almost the first to read yet another collection that somehow catered specfically to me, a nonbinary cryptid myself. Full of beautiful stories promoting acceptance of the strange and different among us, not to mention a frankly delightful multitude of they-them pronouns among its contributor roster, Things Improbable is everything that I have come to love about this diverse, inclusive indie press.
One of my favorite things about anthologies from Improbable Press is that they don't quite fit the mainstream mold; stories will be scarcely a couple paragraphs long, they'll be told in strange tenses, or, like the memorable opening of this collection, told completely in dialogue without scene-setting description or anything. The fact that "Instrument of Destruction" by Dominick Cancilla still communicates a story well is so cool, and a testament to good, strategic writing choices.
It's always difficult to rate an anthology by nature, but like always, I'll do my best to highlight the standouts for me in this. A couple stories in is "Oddnoq" by Iris Black, a story featuring a world built around the concept of monsters under the bed. This one had me choked up; it was a phenomenal story of trans acceptance, of trans celebration, and the fact that the first creature that Rachel felt comfortable coming out to was a shapeshifting, potentially terrifying presence under the bed was just so great. The whole story subverted monster tropes in the best way.
In fact, a lot of this anthology completely flipped tropes and lore; that's what I loved about it. I was chortling at the way "(Ir)reconcilable Divinities" by Laura Simons examines the benefits a modern world can offer Hades and Persephone's relationship. "Entrée" by Jen Frankel says, literally, screw the virgin sacrifice trope.
Patrick Hurley's "Sung Heroes" is a tale of quiet, emotional surrealism that just...fits in today's world, where bleakness wars with hope daily, and music helps so many of us get through.
"The Flatwoods Monster and the Little Green Men" was great commentary on gender identity and human nature, as told by a local cryptid.
Last but not least, my absolute favorite was "The Reason for Lingering" by Kellye Guinan, which was a Hozier song let loose in written form. It was dark, it was sad, it was poetically vengeful, and it summoned old things from the earth that many people have forgotten about.
If any of this sounds remotely up your alley, I highly recommend supporting Improbable Press and their stellar contributors on release day, February 28th.
March 25, 2023
The carefully curated stories in this collection are all wonderful to read, although some of them ended too soon!
There are a couple stories that you should screen for younger readers, but they are the exception. This would be suitable for younger readers who are exploring their literary universe.
Enjoy!
There are a couple stories that you should screen for younger readers, but they are the exception. This would be suitable for younger readers who are exploring their literary universe.
Enjoy!
April 7, 2023
Distant worlds are all well and good, but there's a special frisson to stories that take place in a nearby neighboorhood or lake, in the suburb beside this one, and the orchard behind that. Improbable things appear in the back garden, happen during a walk in the woods, or live inside your house right now. Though do go careful, for here you'll find themes of profound loss and struggle too.
Me enteré de la existencia de esta antología gracias al anuncio de @thecaffeinebookwarrior en Tumblr, de que la versión pulida de su historia Nemesis estaría incluida. No es la tercera, como ella dijo, sino la 22. Encontrarla de repente cuando ya no la esperaba, pasado más de la mitad del libro, fue como reencontrar a un amigo querido en la calle.
En estas 31 historias (32 si contamos las palabras de la editora al principio) hay todo tipo de cosas improbables. El relato de un yeti, la narración sobre un extraño brazo aparecido de la nada, unos hermanos que devuelven a un dios ancestral a sus aguas, la motivación de un monstruo bajo la cama, una criatura del lago enamorada de una mujer atormentada, la amistad entre un niño y la criatura que percibe tragedias, la vida secreta de los microorganismos que infestan los libros (horror de horrores). A su manera, cada una traen luz y humanizan criaturas con relatos llenos de profundo sentimiento, humor, amor y pérdida. Ya sean de un par de páginas o más, cada una tiene su encanto.
Mis favoritas son:
Instrument of Destruction - Dominick Cancilla: ¿Cómo ha de hacer alguien para transportar su golem si no se lo dejan subir al avión?
(Ir)reconcilable Divinities - Laura Simons: Para saltarse las restricciones del antiquísimo prenupcial de Persephone y Hades, han de recurrir a una buena abogada.
The scent of Change - Laura J. Kelly: Encontrar la cura para la transformación perruna de su pareja puede traer un gran cambio a la sociedad que los estigmatiza.
Changeling - E. M. Lamdan: Que la niña retraída y tímida se convierta en la chica popular puede resultar más siniestro de lo esperado.
Adam and Galeta: Un universo pequeño no implica menos sentimientos para las criaturas que viven en él. Como una pareja de peces dorados.
Nemesis - B.C. Fontaine: La obsesión de un villano por SU superhéroe tal vez sea recíproca. (Esta versión extendida es aún más emotiva que la original)
Entrée - Jen Frankel: Existe una forma menos convencional de salvar a una princesa de ser devorada por un dragón.
The Reason for Lingering - Kellye Guinan: Una sombra no sabe por qué existe, pero definitivamente tiene algo que ver con el cadáver cercano. (Esta fue la única historia que me hizo llorar amargamente)
Where Shore Meets Sea- Archer Beau: Que una criatura del pantano entable amistad con el hombre que limpia la playa tal vez no sea tan peligroso como suene. (La única historia cuyo final abierto me dejó insatisfecha. ¡Necesito una secuela!)
To be Human - Joanna Marsh La huida de un kappa a la Antártida no solo lo salva de su soledad, también le descubre un nuevo propósito. (La más tierna de todas. Tiene su toque de drama y reflexión, pero el protagonista es tan puro).
Me encantó poder disfrutar de tantos estilos y autores distintos, y a muchos les seguiré la pista, definitivamente.
To become someone's nemesis is a big commitment, a bit like marriage. More of a commitment than a marriage, actually. To be someone's nemesis is to devote your life to them. They become part of you. Half of you. They fill your gaps like melted gold, and you'd be incomplete without them, you know you would.
June 2, 2023
Disclaimer: I am partial because one of the stories in this collection is mine.
But even if that wasn't the case, I loved this quirky and fun, perfectly curated collection of creatures, beings and phenomena. Although highly improbable, but not nearly impossible, each had me suspending my disbelief in that which I have not seen with my own eyes. I think I'll now give a little more attention to those moments of catching sight of something out of the corner of my eye. Instead of talking myself out of what I thought I saw and then going about my day, I may just turn back again, look a little closer, and maybe even introduce myself.
But even if that wasn't the case, I loved this quirky and fun, perfectly curated collection of creatures, beings and phenomena. Although highly improbable, but not nearly impossible, each had me suspending my disbelief in that which I have not seen with my own eyes. I think I'll now give a little more attention to those moments of catching sight of something out of the corner of my eye. Instead of talking myself out of what I thought I saw and then going about my day, I may just turn back again, look a little closer, and maybe even introduce myself.
April 16, 2023
Once again, Atlin Merrick and Improbable Press hit it out of the park with an amazing collection of stories about cryptids and mystical creatures, both folkloric and fictional. There are some truly gifted wordsmiths in this anthology. Some reveal their chosen creature right from the start, some keep the reader guessing right up until the end, and all of them deliver satisfying entries. There isn't a single poor story to be found. I'm truly grateful to have my tale, "The Leafer," featured alongside such powerful stories.
March 29, 2023
The cover and the title sell the book; stories range from light hearted, funny, serious, and improbable. Others felt out of place and didn't fit the core theme or just didn't hit right. I'm a tabletop gamemaster by trade and I wanted some new material to riff off of, this book is full it/
The stories are not incredibly long, you could knock it out in two days, and have something interesting to recommend to your friends.
The stories are not incredibly long, you could knock it out in two days, and have something interesting to recommend to your friends.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews