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Tufa
Shall We Gather
When one world brushes another, asking the right question can be magic…
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 14, 2013
13 people are currently reading
326 people want to read
About the author
Alex Bledsoe
68 books795 followersI grew up in west Tennessee an hour north of Graceland (home of Elvis) and twenty minutes from Nutbush (home of Tina Turner). I've been a reporter, editor, photographer and door-to-door vacuum cleaner salesman. I now live in a big yellow house in Wisconsin, write before six in the morning and try to teach my two kids to act like they've been to town before.
I write the Tufa novels (The Hum and the Shiver, Wisp of a Thing, Long Black Curl and Chapel of Ease), as well as the Eddie LaCrosse series (The Sword-Edged Blonde, Burn Me Deadly, Dark Jenny, Wake of the Bloody Angel and He Drank, and Saw the Spider). the Firefly Witch ebook chapbooks, and two "vampsloitation" novels set in 1975 Memphis (Blood Groove and The Girls with Games of Blood).
I write the Tufa novels (The Hum and the Shiver, Wisp of a Thing, Long Black Curl and Chapel of Ease), as well as the Eddie LaCrosse series (The Sword-Edged Blonde, Burn Me Deadly, Dark Jenny, Wake of the Bloody Angel and He Drank, and Saw the Spider). the Firefly Witch ebook chapbooks, and two "vampsloitation" novels set in 1975 Memphis (Blood Groove and The Girls with Games of Blood).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
February 2, 2016
This is a quiet, spiritually-minded short story, part of Alex Bledsoe's Tufa series. I'm not familiar with that series, but I still enjoyed this brief visit to the Appalachian countryside, where an enclave of Tufa live in isolation in Cloud County.
This was interesting and appealing enough to make me want to check out more of this series.
Free online at Tor.com.
They had been in these mountains before even the first Indians, keeping to themselves, playing their music, and occasionally . . . well, doing things that he knew weren’t possible for human beings. Fairy was the closest word for them; not the diminutive storybook kind but the ancient Celtic warrior gods ...The young Reverend Craig Chess (who has a Tufa girlfriend) is asked to attend a man at his deathbed, one of the few humans who live in Cloud County. He's a little concerned about this visit, but his girlfriend gives it her blessing. When he arrives in Cloud County, his visit--and the story--turn in a direction he (and I) wouldn't have expected.
This was interesting and appealing enough to make me want to check out more of this series.
Free online at Tor.com.
May 20, 2013
This was a lovely little story that brought me right back into the Tufa's world, despite having read The Hum and The Shiver well over a year ago. I love the simplicity of Bledsoe's writing - at least in his Tufa stories. (I haven't read any of his others. Yet.) There's a... I don't know how to describe it, really. A confidence, perhaps. It doesn't need to be loud and showy and boisterous, because it's good and it knows it. I like that. And I love the musicality of these stories. The way the characters live through music is one of my favorite aspects.
This story has a rather religious overtone, and most of the time, I just really can't stand that. But I love how Bledsoe walks with one foot on the "traditional" Christian side, and one foot on the "I just really don't know" side of the question. It never feels preachy.
I like the moral of this little story as well. In a way, it does give an answer to the "Does God exist" question... but in a "He works in mysterious ways" way, which is to say it's something of a non-answer... depending on your interpretation. But the theme of inclusivity and acceptance and love, despite huge differences, is a nice one, and I quite enjoyed this little story.
This story has a rather religious overtone, and most of the time, I just really can't stand that. But I love how Bledsoe walks with one foot on the "traditional" Christian side, and one foot on the "I just really don't know" side of the question. It never feels preachy.
I like the moral of this little story as well. In a way, it does give an answer to the "Does God exist" question... but in a "He works in mysterious ways" way, which is to say it's something of a non-answer... depending on your interpretation. But the theme of inclusivity and acceptance and love, despite huge differences, is a nice one, and I quite enjoyed this little story.
June 7, 2013
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine I would one day read a short story promoted/published by Tor.com that juxtaposes my Methodist beliefs with fantasy. And so well written.
Give it a try via Tor's website: Shall We Gather by Alex Bledsoe
Give it a try via Tor's website: Shall We Gather by Alex Bledsoe
May 8, 2015
Meh. An illustration about how the true concept of the Christian God is bigger than culture or ethnicity or even humanity (and by "humanity," I mean species), but not a particularly compelling illustration.
June 8, 2013
A gentle-spirited fantasy. Well developed in less than a dozen pages. Short yet complete.
A very good read.
A very good read.
June 20, 2017
An interesting short story focusing on Rev. Chess and Mandalay.
December 15, 2016
Did not enjoy this, thought it was silly and pointless.
I have nothing else to say about this short story, even to criticize it, that's how little it made me feel.
I have nothing else to say about this short story, even to criticize it, that's how little it made me feel.
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April 21, 2020This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader as part of a quick takes post to catch up--emphasizing pithiness, not thoroughness.
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There's not much of a plot here—but there is one. This is primarily a way to look at two characters—the outsider desperately trying to make a home in Cloud County, Rev. Craig Chess, and Mandalay Harris. Someone (no one we've met before) is dying and he asked for Chess to come. Outside, Chess meets Mandalay for the first time and the two have a couple of interesting conversations. There's a bit more to it than that, but that's enough for this.
I really liked watching these two interact, sizing each other up. Mandalay is at her creepifying best and Chess is his earnest, loving self. As much as he and I would debate essentials of the Faith, Chess has always been one of those fictional characters that's easy to respect as well as like. I always appreciate the way that Bledsoe writes him.
Short (very short), but absolutely worth the time. It's the one thing that I've taken off the TBR list since I started those Down the TBR Hole posts because I've read it. Will hopefully not be the last.
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There's not much of a plot here—but there is one. This is primarily a way to look at two characters—the outsider desperately trying to make a home in Cloud County, Rev. Craig Chess, and Mandalay Harris. Someone (no one we've met before) is dying and he asked for Chess to come. Outside, Chess meets Mandalay for the first time and the two have a couple of interesting conversations. There's a bit more to it than that, but that's enough for this.
I really liked watching these two interact, sizing each other up. Mandalay is at her creepifying best and Chess is his earnest, loving self. As much as he and I would debate essentials of the Faith, Chess has always been one of those fictional characters that's easy to respect as well as like. I always appreciate the way that Bledsoe writes him.
Short (very short), but absolutely worth the time. It's the one thing that I've taken off the TBR list since I started those Down the TBR Hole posts because I've read it. Will hopefully not be the last.
October 21, 2022
In the next approximately six reviews, I plan on assessing several books for their appropriateness as Halloween stories. The little novelette Shall We Gather is the first of these.
Shall We Gather is very short, no bigger than a short story, really. It plainly isn’t intended to be a Halloween story. But the tales of the Tufa – a mysterious band of people living deep in the hills of Appalachia – are always just a little bit on the spooky side.
In this one, Reverend Craig Chess, who has at this point become engaged to Bronwyn Hyatt, one of the First Daughters of the Tufa, receives a call from a woman in Cloud County whose father is dying. The family is almost the only non-Tufa family he knows of living in Cloud County. He calls Bronwyn to be sure his going won’t cause any problems.
When he gets to the dying man’s house, he finds Mandalay Harris, the first of the First Daughters waiting outside. She asks him to ask the dying man a question for her.
He does and receives a surprising answer.
Shall We Gather is very short, no bigger than a short story, really. It plainly isn’t intended to be a Halloween story. But the tales of the Tufa – a mysterious band of people living deep in the hills of Appalachia – are always just a little bit on the spooky side.
In this one, Reverend Craig Chess, who has at this point become engaged to Bronwyn Hyatt, one of the First Daughters of the Tufa, receives a call from a woman in Cloud County whose father is dying. The family is almost the only non-Tufa family he knows of living in Cloud County. He calls Bronwyn to be sure his going won’t cause any problems.
When he gets to the dying man’s house, he finds Mandalay Harris, the first of the First Daughters waiting outside. She asks him to ask the dying man a question for her.
He does and receives a surprising answer.
November 2, 2023
I've been a fan of Alex Bledsoe since reading Wake of the Bloody Angel - Eddie Lacrosse #4, in 2011. Starting in the middle of a series isn't always the best idea, but it didn't matter in that series.
Mr. Bledsoe released a book of short stories that are sort of the beginnings and durings of several of his series and I knew I had to have it, especially since it was on Audible. I'll be doing reviews of each of the short stories as I find them on Goodreads as, apparently, the actual collection, Give Them What They Want, isn't on here as yet.
I enjoyed this story and it featured the Reverend Chess, Bronwyn Hyatt's fiance. I've liked and admired him since his introduction. He is spiritual rather than religious and is a good leader for his flock and the perfect partner for Bronwyn.
I can absolutely recommend this set of short stories, the audiobook Give Them What They Want and Other Stories of Sharp Wit, Cunning Women, and Wild Magic, and absolutely definitely, the author, Alex Bledsoe.
Mr. Bledsoe released a book of short stories that are sort of the beginnings and durings of several of his series and I knew I had to have it, especially since it was on Audible. I'll be doing reviews of each of the short stories as I find them on Goodreads as, apparently, the actual collection, Give Them What They Want, isn't on here as yet.
I enjoyed this story and it featured the Reverend Chess, Bronwyn Hyatt's fiance. I've liked and admired him since his introduction. He is spiritual rather than religious and is a good leader for his flock and the perfect partner for Bronwyn.
I can absolutely recommend this set of short stories, the audiobook Give Them What They Want and Other Stories of Sharp Wit, Cunning Women, and Wild Magic, and absolutely definitely, the author, Alex Bledsoe.
May 29, 2020
On his way to a deathbed, a Tennessee preacher meets one of the Tufa. She has a question and will wait all night for the answer, gently strumming her music among the mist-covered hills.
An easy read, and a satisfying start of something intriguing. Quietly mysterious, doling out bits of information like choice treats, this tale serves as a tempting introduction to the Tufa series. I’ll be seeking more.
An easy read, and a satisfying start of something intriguing. Quietly mysterious, doling out bits of information like choice treats, this tale serves as a tempting introduction to the Tufa series. I’ll be seeking more.
June 22, 2017
Usually I don't like short story "extras" from series I read as much as the main books, but I like this series rather than love it and this little story works really well as a short story. It maintains a nice balance of working on its on and rewarding people who've read the series.
January 17, 2018
DID NOT like it took it back quit reading after 5 pages. It diverged from the story of the fairies in the mountains and started a new tale about a gay guy explicit in his desires for men. Don't have any interest in that, not judging you just don't want to read a story about that. sorry.
November 15, 2016
Short, even for a short story. Not sure its even really a short story but a fill-in chapter for the TUFA books, but I liked it as such.
June 18, 2017
A comforting story.
June 27, 2017
Another short story set in the Tufa world. I enjoyed this little exploration of Rev. Chess and how he fits his faith into the Tufa/magical world of Cloud County.
September 10, 2017
A short story by Alex Bledsoe in the Tufa series, read on the Tor.com website.
October 21, 2017
An interesting little story, I'd love to know more about the Tufa. The quote in question was rather poignant also.
December 18, 2018
A lovely, short story building up some of the Tufa myth (and more character building for Reverend Chess).
July 18, 2020
Another great Tufa short story. This one us in Craig's pov and I enjoyed watching the confirmed but still humble and open minded man of god try to do his job without stepping ob any Tufa toes.
June 23, 2021
That is 100% the way my family from the Smokies gives directions.
September 11, 2021
Interesting interlude in the Tufa stories that brings a bit of depth and heart along with it.
November 20, 2023
Too Much for Too Little
I feel a little cheated, paying two dollars for yet another story outline. I’d hoped to at least gather a little insight into Rev Chess but I still feel woefully uninformed. Shall We Gather was marginally better than Two Weddings but only because it was a shorter time span and I was already prepared to be dissatisfied.
I feel a little cheated, paying two dollars for yet another story outline. I’d hoped to at least gather a little insight into Rev Chess but I still feel woefully uninformed. Shall We Gather was marginally better than Two Weddings but only because it was a shorter time span and I was already prepared to be dissatisfied.
October 16, 2016
Quiet, spiritual story. With fairies. Interesting.
August 27, 2013
I like to occassionally read a short story if it ties into a world that I have already been taken into. "Shall We Gather" is just that. A small glimpse int Alex Bledsoe's already wonderfully established world of Cloud County and the Tufa.
Having read "The Hum and the Shiver", and recently finishing "A Wisp of a Thing" I happened upon this little ebook at B&N.com and decided to give it a shot. I enjoyed all 32 pages of it and reccommend that if one has enjoyed the Tufa novels already to spend the 99 cents on this lovely little story.
Having read "The Hum and the Shiver", and recently finishing "A Wisp of a Thing" I happened upon this little ebook at B&N.com and decided to give it a shot. I enjoyed all 32 pages of it and reccommend that if one has enjoyed the Tufa novels already to spend the 99 cents on this lovely little story.
February 14, 2015
Another Tor.com short story
This was a little too religious for me to feel entirely comfortable with, although it was interesting and well written. It looks at how a man of Christian faith would hold on to that and balance out a factual knowledge of the Fae.
This was a little too religious for me to feel entirely comfortable with, although it was interesting and well written. It looks at how a man of Christian faith would hold on to that and balance out a factual knowledge of the Fae.
September 15, 2013
Lovely little story about a kind young preacher in East Tennessee, who lives nearby to some mysterious Appalachian fae people. Part of a setting for a couple of the author's novels, which I haven't read.
April 26, 2014
A short story -- 10-15 pages -- that brings back the Reverend Craig Chess, one of the main characters from The Hum and the Shiver.
September 4, 2016
Shall We Gather is a story about spirituality and religion, neither of which are topics I enjoy or have much patience for in my personal life. Some may find them meaningful or impacting, but the narrative was not for me.
March 18, 2016
Not being a religious person, I'm always a little uncomfortable with overtly religious discussions in stories. The story itself was well written, and good, but the religious stuff doesn't mean much to me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews