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Eidolon
Eidolon, the first in a new series of original genre fiction anthologies, includes new stories by Tim Pratt, Hal Duncan, Holly Phillips, Margo Lanagan, Jeff VanderMeer, Elizabeth Bear and more.
224 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 28, 2020
I'll be honest, I read this because my mate, Carol Ryles, said she had a story in it and tossed it my way. Eidolon was apparently quite a movement on the Australian scene. This collection, however, is more global with some big name writers. In fact, it reminded me a little of Jonathan Strahan's later spec-fic Eclipse series in terms of both scope and variety. There'll be something to savour here regardless of your taste as the offerings are so diverse.
At the risk of sounding nepotistic, one of my four favourites in a very solid collection does include my friend's short story 'The Bridal Bier', which is an epilogue of sorts to Frankenstein, and as per the era of the original, the story is replete with romantic-gothic imagery. Simon Brown's 'Leviathan' is also a beautiful story. It's extremely metaphorical in nature, which allows for layers of meaning in what is an evocative and emotional work. Margo Lanagan is one of the queens of Australian short fiction, let alone short spec-fic, and 'A Fine Magic' is no exception. The story is cold from the start as Lanagan creates a creepy gothic Victorian atmosphere, and it only continues to get icier as the tale progresses. And ‘Big Green Mama Falls in Love’ by Eleanor Arnason is the absolute standout for me. It's witty and very meta and breaks from convention in a successful manner. For some readers and writers being taken out of the story is a sin, but if it's done well it can be quirky and highly effective. Arnarson's sinful behaviour in 'Big Green Mama Falls in Love' allows for an enjoyable inventive romp, which also entails some intelligent scientific insight along the way.
At the risk of sounding nepotistic, one of my four favourites in a very solid collection does include my friend's short story 'The Bridal Bier', which is an epilogue of sorts to Frankenstein, and as per the era of the original, the story is replete with romantic-gothic imagery. Simon Brown's 'Leviathan' is also a beautiful story. It's extremely metaphorical in nature, which allows for layers of meaning in what is an evocative and emotional work. Margo Lanagan is one of the queens of Australian short fiction, let alone short spec-fic, and 'A Fine Magic' is no exception. The story is cold from the start as Lanagan creates a creepy gothic Victorian atmosphere, and it only continues to get icier as the tale progresses. And ‘Big Green Mama Falls in Love’ by Eleanor Arnason is the absolute standout for me. It's witty and very meta and breaks from convention in a successful manner. For some readers and writers being taken out of the story is a sin, but if it's done well it can be quirky and highly effective. Arnarson's sinful behaviour in 'Big Green Mama Falls in Love' allows for an enjoyable inventive romp, which also entails some intelligent scientific insight along the way.
December 11, 2016
I'm not going to write a proper review right now, but I want anyone that happens to stumble upon this to know that I was taken aback by the quality of these stories. I came upon this book by chance in the library and nobody I know seems to have heard of this collection, so I assumed it would be fairly mediocre. I was so wrong.
Every story in this book is amazing. The two that hit me most were Gin by Holly Phillips and Hieronymous Boche. Absolutely floored me. I had to stop reading to stare into space and digest what I had just read.
I don't know if another of these is coming (it's been, what, ten years? I'm not holding my breath), but if it happens I will be the first to buy a copy. I'm about to order a copy of Eidolon I for my shelf so I can reread it (so much for saving money by going to the library...)
Every story in this book is amazing. The two that hit me most were Gin by Holly Phillips and Hieronymous Boche. Absolutely floored me. I had to stop reading to stare into space and digest what I had just read.
I don't know if another of these is coming (it's been, what, ten years? I'm not holding my breath), but if it happens I will be the first to buy a copy. I'm about to order a copy of Eidolon I for my shelf so I can reread it (so much for saving money by going to the library...)
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews