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Greetings From Lake Wu
Book by Lake, Jay
268 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 2003
18 people want to read
About the author
Jay Lake
239 books254 followersJay Lake lived in Portland, Oregon, where he worked on multiple writing and editing projects. His 2007 book Mainspring received a starred review in Booklist. His short fiction appeared regularly in literary and genre markets worldwide. Jay won the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer, Endeavour Award, and was a multiple nominee for the Hugo and World Fantasy Awards.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 3, 2020
I am, undeniably, biased towards this one. I wrote the intro for Frank Wu, Jay was one of my favorite people, and there's a painting that I sat for included. Re-visiting it, which started as I had grabbed it when I was evacuated for the Fires in the Santa Cruz Mountains and waiting in a Wendy's Drive-Thru line, I found the beauty of Jay's writing again.
It has been a long time since I can read his words without crying, at least a little.
The artworks show what Frank has always done best, illustrate the weird with a palette that somehow screams a beautiful anger. The Stories show what Jay was best at: compressing a story into a form you know, but deploying a methodology you can not see coming from afar. The pairing is beautiful, and the fact that it happened during an incredibly important time in science fiction history, when new technologies and myriad inspirations led to a new generation of writers including John Scalzi, Mary Robinette Kowal, Elizabeth Bear, Seanan McGuire, and others springing forth, makes this a testament to that shining moment in time.
It has been a long time since I can read his words without crying, at least a little.
The artworks show what Frank has always done best, illustrate the weird with a palette that somehow screams a beautiful anger. The Stories show what Jay was best at: compressing a story into a form you know, but deploying a methodology you can not see coming from afar. The pairing is beautiful, and the fact that it happened during an incredibly important time in science fiction history, when new technologies and myriad inspirations led to a new generation of writers including John Scalzi, Mary Robinette Kowal, Elizabeth Bear, Seanan McGuire, and others springing forth, makes this a testament to that shining moment in time.
October 18, 2010
once again I am thrilled, chilled and awe struck by Mr Lake!
I agree that the man can write from any angle, any view, any concept!
The foreword speaks of Religion. Something I think Jay takes very seriously, even when his stories seem in jest. He does come at the subject, idea, concept of 'religion' or 'Religion' from every direction. Even above. And I think all of these routes takes him through the same ground, though at different seasons, different eras even. And yet as well trod as the paths are you will find you mind stumbling over berry canes and twisting ankles over rocks because Jay never takes you down the same path another would or could. The others don't even seem to see that there is a path there.
So, bring a blanket, it may get cold. Russle up some snacks, it may take a while. We never know where we are headed with Jay as a guide. Only that, as lost as we will be, he will bring us home again. Never the same though. Never.
And we can thank Jay for that, if not God.
I agree that the man can write from any angle, any view, any concept!
The foreword speaks of Religion. Something I think Jay takes very seriously, even when his stories seem in jest. He does come at the subject, idea, concept of 'religion' or 'Religion' from every direction. Even above. And I think all of these routes takes him through the same ground, though at different seasons, different eras even. And yet as well trod as the paths are you will find you mind stumbling over berry canes and twisting ankles over rocks because Jay never takes you down the same path another would or could. The others don't even seem to see that there is a path there.
So, bring a blanket, it may get cold. Russle up some snacks, it may take a while. We never know where we are headed with Jay as a guide. Only that, as lost as we will be, he will bring us home again. Never the same though. Never.
And we can thank Jay for that, if not God.
July 5, 2011
A(nother) series of brilliant stories by Jay Lake, vengeful clowns, architectural dreams, and one Innocent, are just some of the visions to be seen inside.
I'd give the stories a 5 star, but the art, which is an integral part of the book, is less impressive.
I'd give the stories a 5 star, but the art, which is an integral part of the book, is less impressive.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews