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David Copperfield's Tales of the Impossible
Seventeen tales of murder, magic, and illusion include contributions by such popular authors as Eric Lustbader, Ray Bradbury, Larry Bond, Joyce Carol Oates, Dean Koontz, and Raymond E. Feist. Reprint.
473 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 19, 2021
My mom and I went to a reading with David Copperfield, where he then signed copies of the book - so my copy is signed! cool. But the book was released back in 1995, so I believe this poor book has been on my shelf for 25 years! that is craziness. Poor little book. Each story gets a little introduction from DC.
Preface by Dean Koontz This was rather humorous, I was not aware Dean Koontz could be funny. Comparing authors to magicians.
Introduction by David CopperfieldHe extends the comparison started with the Preface.
Snow by David Copperfield I went to see a Copperfield show with my family (hey, even my Grandpa was allowed to join us - this didn't happen so often), and he ended it with a snow illusion - I don't recall the illusion so much as the ice machines at the Buell Theater being set off so we could all exit the theater with some snow. This story is touching, and sad, and beautiful.
Quicker than the Eye by Ray Bradbury An interesting look at ourselves, as our male "main character" sees his double on stage - and really, maybe it was a little bit of himself on stage. As with most of Bradbury's stuff - there is more than meets the eye to this story.
The Conversion of Tegujai Batir by Jack Kirby I appreciate the work it took to get a story from Jack Kirby (DC worked with his widow to create a short story from his unpublished novel) - however I was not enamored with this story. Maybe as an entire novel I would come to care for the characters? It was just okay.
Diamonds aren't Forever by S.P. Somtow I read The Alien Swordmaster Somtow's addition to the V series, and absolutely loved it. So I was excited to read this tale...
A cute story, I enjoyed it. Also think this story could be used to launch a discussion on ethics -
Just Like Normal People by Kevin J Anderson this feels very much like a morality tale. That you shouldn't judge people just by the way they look, because it is what is inside that is so much more important.
The Singing Tree by Eric Lustbader a moral, it is a lovely and sad story. A moment that reminds us we have to let go and move on.
The Hand-Puppet by Joyce Carol Oates i don't like ventriloquist dummies, they are creepy. This story is creepy and not in a good way to me.
? by F. Paul Wilson the title of this story is gibberish, and is explained in the story - the gibberish is something I can not replicate - and after reading this I wouldn't want to. Keep your gibberish words to yourself, thanks.
Switch by Lucy Taylor (her signature is at the front of my copy!)
a nod to Colorado, which I appreciate. And this one is creepy - and more along the lines of the alternate universe theory - i liked it, there are days where you wonder...
The Eighth of December by David Smeds
This story feels like something we need in this crazy time. A little bit of hope. It is an alternate history story, and I really do enjoy that sort of tale - the What If stories. We follow an aging rockstar, and what he has learned in his life, nicely done David Smeds.
Expert Advice by Larry Bond
A nice take on not following the rules. Doing something unexpected may be the best defense.
Geroldo's Incredible Trick by Raymond E. Feist
this one is a little morbid, although I really liked it, and hope the best for Geroldo and his daughter.
Dealing with the Devil by Robert Weinberg
What a great story! reminded me of the oft repeated statement in Beverly Hills Cop "I wasn't always a cop" -- I wasn't always a man of the cloth. :-)
Every Mystery Explained by Lisa Mason
The code of the magician - an enjoyable story
Just a Little Bug by P.D. Casek (her signature is at the front of my copy!)
OMG but this one was sad. and beautiful. and sad.
In the Teeth of Glory by Dave Wolverton
a story of growing old. there are some enjoyable characters here, and some old curmudgeons.
The Last Vanish by Matthew Costello
I saw the ending coming, and it seems I have read another story with a similar premise. Creepy.
Indigo Moon by Janet Berliner
body swap stories, demons jumping between, always interesting, and usually hard to follow - this is no different.
Finished this collection, and for the most part enjoyed the stories. No real clunkers, and a few gems.
Preface by Dean Koontz This was rather humorous, I was not aware Dean Koontz could be funny. Comparing authors to magicians.
Introduction by David CopperfieldHe extends the comparison started with the Preface.
Snow by David Copperfield I went to see a Copperfield show with my family (hey, even my Grandpa was allowed to join us - this didn't happen so often), and he ended it with a snow illusion - I don't recall the illusion so much as the ice machines at the Buell Theater being set off so we could all exit the theater with some snow. This story is touching, and sad, and beautiful.
Quicker than the Eye by Ray Bradbury An interesting look at ourselves, as our male "main character" sees his double on stage - and really, maybe it was a little bit of himself on stage. As with most of Bradbury's stuff - there is more than meets the eye to this story.
The Conversion of Tegujai Batir by Jack Kirby I appreciate the work it took to get a story from Jack Kirby (DC worked with his widow to create a short story from his unpublished novel) - however I was not enamored with this story. Maybe as an entire novel I would come to care for the characters? It was just okay.
Diamonds aren't Forever by S.P. Somtow I read The Alien Swordmaster Somtow's addition to the V series, and absolutely loved it. So I was excited to read this tale...
A cute story, I enjoyed it. Also think this story could be used to launch a discussion on ethics -
Just Like Normal People by Kevin J Anderson this feels very much like a morality tale. That you shouldn't judge people just by the way they look, because it is what is inside that is so much more important.
The Singing Tree by Eric Lustbader a moral, it is a lovely and sad story. A moment that reminds us we have to let go and move on.
The Hand-Puppet by Joyce Carol Oates i don't like ventriloquist dummies, they are creepy. This story is creepy and not in a good way to me.
? by F. Paul Wilson the title of this story is gibberish, and is explained in the story - the gibberish is something I can not replicate - and after reading this I wouldn't want to. Keep your gibberish words to yourself, thanks.
Switch by Lucy Taylor (her signature is at the front of my copy!)
a nod to Colorado, which I appreciate. And this one is creepy - and more along the lines of the alternate universe theory - i liked it, there are days where you wonder...
The Eighth of December by David Smeds
This story feels like something we need in this crazy time. A little bit of hope. It is an alternate history story, and I really do enjoy that sort of tale - the What If stories. We follow an aging rockstar, and what he has learned in his life, nicely done David Smeds.
Expert Advice by Larry Bond
A nice take on not following the rules. Doing something unexpected may be the best defense.
Geroldo's Incredible Trick by Raymond E. Feist
this one is a little morbid, although I really liked it, and hope the best for Geroldo and his daughter.
Dealing with the Devil by Robert Weinberg
What a great story! reminded me of the oft repeated statement in Beverly Hills Cop "I wasn't always a cop" -- I wasn't always a man of the cloth. :-)
Every Mystery Explained by Lisa Mason
The code of the magician - an enjoyable story
Just a Little Bug by P.D. Casek (her signature is at the front of my copy!)
OMG but this one was sad. and beautiful. and sad.
In the Teeth of Glory by Dave Wolverton
a story of growing old. there are some enjoyable characters here, and some old curmudgeons.
The Last Vanish by Matthew Costello
I saw the ending coming, and it seems I have read another story with a similar premise. Creepy.
Indigo Moon by Janet Berliner
body swap stories, demons jumping between, always interesting, and usually hard to follow - this is no different.
Finished this collection, and for the most part enjoyed the stories. No real clunkers, and a few gems.
November 11, 2010
Set of pretty fair stories with a few I rather loved.
Snow • David Copperfield | Little boy connects with dying grandparents through illusion. Or through magic. A tearjerk, but I love it so.
Quicker than the Eye • Ray Bradbury | Magic show leads to mediation on gender skirmishes. I know it's a Bradbury tale, but it was pretty meh.
The Conversion of Tegujai Batir • Jack Kirby | Kirby never finished writing this story, which is a fact acknowledged in the story introduction, and yet it is still included here. I'm angry at myself for reading it. What a waste of time.
Diamonds Aren't Forever • S. P. Somtow | Indian mythological ceremony grants one's deepest wishes, but only for as long as you wish for them.
Just Like Normal People • Kevin J. Anderson | Circus freak-show individuals long to live like normal people but find they can't stomach the hypocrisy.
The Singing Tree • Eric Van Lustbader | Bereft widower seeks to reunite with wife through dreams, but the living and the dead cannot coexist.
The Hand-Puppet • Joyce Carol Oates | Weird little story featuring a child's annoying hand-puppet that torments the child's mother.
ROVPD/CAVEE/EFI • F. Paul Wilson | Man happens on a magic universal word, misuses it, and is caught by the word's owners.
Switch • Lucy Taylor | Child trapped in card-trick psychiatric hell.
The Eighth of December • Dave Smeds | Alternate history Berlin featuring 60s-era rock & roll.
Expert Advice • Larry Bond | Military slight-of-hand; trust element of surprise.
Geroldo's Incredible Trick • Raymond E. Feist | Mad dictator takes over magic show; magician's foils the stabbity by the clever trick of not, er, bleeding. Well, if it works.
Dealing with the Devil • Robert Weinberg | Agent to the devil vs elderly priest in high-stakes poker game. Kick-ass cheating priest FTW.
Every Mystery Unexplained • Lisa Mason | Visiting ghost requires help from young magician's assistant. Meh.
Just a Little Bug • P. D. Cacek | Trippy little story on child turning into insect.
In the Teeth of Glory • Dave Wolverton | Annoying old racist woman ages, dies.
The Last Vanish • Matthew J. Costello | Magician opts to leave forever. Meh.
Indigo Moon • Janet Berliner | Serial killers following frequent reincarnation opt to team up and share bodies. A little weird, but pretty good.
Snow • David Copperfield | Little boy connects with dying grandparents through illusion. Or through magic. A tearjerk, but I love it so.
Quicker than the Eye • Ray Bradbury | Magic show leads to mediation on gender skirmishes. I know it's a Bradbury tale, but it was pretty meh.
The Conversion of Tegujai Batir • Jack Kirby | Kirby never finished writing this story, which is a fact acknowledged in the story introduction, and yet it is still included here. I'm angry at myself for reading it. What a waste of time.
Diamonds Aren't Forever • S. P. Somtow | Indian mythological ceremony grants one's deepest wishes, but only for as long as you wish for them.
Just Like Normal People • Kevin J. Anderson | Circus freak-show individuals long to live like normal people but find they can't stomach the hypocrisy.
The Singing Tree • Eric Van Lustbader | Bereft widower seeks to reunite with wife through dreams, but the living and the dead cannot coexist.
The Hand-Puppet • Joyce Carol Oates | Weird little story featuring a child's annoying hand-puppet that torments the child's mother.
ROVPD/CAVEE/EFI • F. Paul Wilson | Man happens on a magic universal word, misuses it, and is caught by the word's owners.
Switch • Lucy Taylor | Child trapped in card-trick psychiatric hell.
The Eighth of December • Dave Smeds | Alternate history Berlin featuring 60s-era rock & roll.
Expert Advice • Larry Bond | Military slight-of-hand; trust element of surprise.
Geroldo's Incredible Trick • Raymond E. Feist | Mad dictator takes over magic show; magician's foils the stabbity by the clever trick of not, er, bleeding. Well, if it works.
Dealing with the Devil • Robert Weinberg | Agent to the devil vs elderly priest in high-stakes poker game. Kick-ass cheating priest FTW.
Every Mystery Unexplained • Lisa Mason | Visiting ghost requires help from young magician's assistant. Meh.
Just a Little Bug • P. D. Cacek | Trippy little story on child turning into insect.
In the Teeth of Glory • Dave Wolverton | Annoying old racist woman ages, dies.
The Last Vanish • Matthew J. Costello | Magician opts to leave forever. Meh.
Indigo Moon • Janet Berliner | Serial killers following frequent reincarnation opt to team up and share bodies. A little weird, but pretty good.
August 13, 2017
49 - 2014
Judulnya menipu. Coverna apalagi.
Padahal ini kumcer dari para penulis ternama, seperti Dean Koontz, Ray Bradbury, Eric Lustbader, Kevin J. Anderson, dll.
Untuk buku satu ini, karena edisi Indonesia yang kumiliki nggak begitu bagus kondisinya, terpaksa aku tidak menginput versi GPUnya ke gudrids.
Judulnya menipu. Coverna apalagi.
Padahal ini kumcer dari para penulis ternama, seperti Dean Koontz, Ray Bradbury, Eric Lustbader, Kevin J. Anderson, dll.
Untuk buku satu ini, karena edisi Indonesia yang kumiliki nggak begitu bagus kondisinya, terpaksa aku tidak menginput versi GPUnya ke gudrids.
March 9, 2024
This was really cool but who actually was David Copperfield? I thought that was a Charles Dickens character?
September 25, 2013
I gave 5 stars to this book. However some of the stories in this collection David Copperfield created based on different author's stories are not that good. On the other hand, the stories I liked were really enjoyable and that's why I gave it 5 stars. It's an interesting book. I recommend some of the stories in it.
August 19, 2014
There are two stories that make this book worth reading. I haven't read them all yet. Joyce Carol Oates. F. Paul Wilson. What a great way to spend vacation reading such stories. I feel totally inspired to write when I find treasures like these. And really fascinating that it was compiled by David Copperfield.
January 6, 2012
An entertaining book, very easy to read and at times even inspiring. The stories are at points touching, sometimes boring and even amusing from time to time. Overall a book I would recommend for those seeking a bit of entertainment.
Want to read
May 14, 2009I love David Copperfield. Tried to find a bio on him, but all I found were 2 books he put together. *sigh* He was born one town over from me.
May 22, 2015
Just like any compilation, some stories were good, others not so much so. Enjoyed it overall. My parents bought it for me when I was nine years old. Finally got to it. Only took 21 years ;-)
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews