Imperfect Commentaries

by Ruthanna Emrys

Sympathy with the sea, with the weird, and with monsters fills the stories of Imperfect Commentaries. Ruthanna Emrys's collection offers readers feminist and #ownvoices Neo-Lovecraftian fiction, anthropological science fiction, and fantasies of belonging, plus miscellaneous deleted scenes, poems, and secret story origins. Readers familiar with her novels (Winter Tide and Deep Roots) will see the first appearance Aphra Marsh, an Innsmouth survivor, still recovering from her losses and making a life for herself in late-1940s San Francisco in "The Litany of Earth."

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories, Horror, Science Fiction, Anthologies, Speculative Fiction, Mythology

240 pages, Paperback

First published June 27, 2019

Reviews

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

A science fiction leaning collection of short fiction and poetry, with some soft cosmic horror elements and thoughtful social commentary. I devoured this book with gusto.

[Andi C Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truth be told, I had this on my pile a while scared to read it in case I ran out of Emrys' work but I bought her latest book so finally I can delve into this 😂

And... it's gorgeous. Such careful, beautiful writing and yet not a sentence so twisty I stumbled over it. It has these incredibly nuanced responses to Lovecraft, these creations of worlds that feel so distant and yet you want to belong to. A very easy book to recommend, this one.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of short fiction by Ms. Emrys includes the story “The Litany of Earth” that is the origin tale of Aphra Marsh, of Innsmouth. She goes on to be the protagonist of the novels “Winter Tide” and “Deep Roots.”

There are other stories here that are similar works of dark fantasy, but almost all of them have a touch of hope. Some even have a touch of whimsy. There are also a number of poems. The author introduces and provides afterwards to many of the works that discuss the origin and evolution of the stories. Heck, there’s even a couple of recipes!

So, read love letters between mad scientists. Study with students of a dead language that makes changes those that speak it aloud. Find out what happened to those citizens of Innsmouth that were sent off to camps by the US Government. Discover with aliens what happens when they grow mature and return to the sea. Struggle with a scientist as she tries to overcome her phobia so she can meet aliens.

These stories feature Neo-Lovecraftian fiction, anthropological science fiction, and fantasies of belonging. They often feature protagonist who are very different, who may have been othered, but who overcome adversity.

[Taldragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sympathy with the sea, with the weird, and with monsters fills the stories of Imperfect Commentaries. Ruthanna Emrys's collection offers readers feminist and #ownvoices Neo-Lovecraftian fiction, anthropological science fiction, and fantasies of belonging, plus miscellaneous deleted scenes, poems, and secret story origins.

an absolutely glorious cornucopia of the wierd & wonderful, with care & thought, this book is like sushi - each bite to be savoured and thought over.

[Pysto · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is no perfect book of short stories, poems and musings--
[Imperfect Commentaries enters the chat]

Seriously. I love everything in this book and I love Emrys' imagination. When I read her words, I feel so seen. I have never come across an author who experiences the world in such a similar way to myself. The cosmos may be vast and uncaring, but we can still choose to see through eyes of compassion and curiosity.

[Siavahda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly exquisite. Every word is jewelled, and Emry's imagination, and dedication to exploring the ideas she comes up with, are just breathtaking. The poems SING. The short explanations of where each story/poem came from, what inspired it, are wonderful. Jewish, queer, disabled, neurodivergent MAGIC (and plenty of sci-fi!)

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful collection! Still love the stories I had previously read and really like the commentaries that carry throughout. A very nice twisting of Lovecraftian horror (here meaning literally Lovecraftian). I loved it!

[Joseph Dolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Those familiar with the Ruthanna Emrys' work will find some familiar stories beautifully packaged and intermixed with a sprinkling of new material. Emrys' uses the unnatural to explore the richness of the self and the richness of the family. All in all a great read that I hope to return to in times when I need to remember what a family can be.

[Jonathan Scotese · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love her Innsmouth Legacy series. This is fine, but nowhere near as good.

[E.F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful collection with remarkably vivid worlds! Emrys balances these weird and fantastic tales with humor and hope. The commentaries and origins are a great addition- these behind the scenes glimpses probe the contexts and origins of work included, and provide a great way for readers to interact / connect / reflect on the text. This would be an awesome book club choice!

[Michelle Souliere · Rating 5 out of 5]

A varied and wondrous collection of short stories. Ranging wildly in subject matter, each is entirely enchanting while digging deep beneath the surface. Highly recommended!!