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Anubis Gates
The Properties of Rooftop Air
Tim Powers makes a triumphant return to the setting of The Anubis Gates with a tale that features the beggar clown Horrabin, and one who opposes him. In the slum known as the St. Giles rookery in 19th century London, the beggar guild run by Horrabin the Clown is the last resort of the down-and-out. Horrabin is rumored to maim his people to make them more effective mendicants, and when dimwitted beggar Isaac Fairchild is summoned by the clown, he fears the worst. But in the subterranean chamber known as the Nursery, Fairchild learns that Horrabin’s purpose is to greatly increase his intelligence, by grafting his rudimentary mind into the group mind shared by Horrabin’s gang of Spoonsize Boys—alchemically-hatched homunculi, two-inch-tall men employed by the clown for subtle thefts and assassinations. Fairchild yearns to be able at last to think clearly, understand conversations—read books!—but there’s a cost.
44 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2020
22 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
About the author
Tim Powers
167 books1,748 followersTimothy Thomas Powers is an American science fiction and fantasy author. Powers has won the World Fantasy Award twice for his critically acclaimed novels Last Call and Declare.
Most of Powers's novels are "secret histories": he uses actual, documented historical events featuring famous people, but shows another view of them in which occult or supernatural factors heavily influence the motivations and actions of the characters.
Powers was born in Buffalo, New York, and grew up in California, where his Roman Catholic family moved in 1959.
He studied English Literature at Cal State Fullerton, where he first met James Blaylock and K.W. Jeter, both of whom remained close friends and occasional collaborators; the trio have half-seriously referred to themselves as "steampunks" in contrast to the prevailing cyberpunk genre of the 1980s. Powers and Blaylock invented the poet William Ashbless while they were at Cal State Fullerton.
Another friend Powers first met during this period was noted science fiction writer Philip K. Dick; the character named "David" in Dick's novel VALIS is based on Powers and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (Blade Runner) is dedicated to him.
Powers's first major novel was The Drawing of the Dark (1979), but the novel that earned him wide praise was The Anubis Gates, which won the Philip K. Dick Award, and has since been published in many other languages.
Powers also teaches part-time in his role as Writer in Residence for the Orange County High School of the Arts where his friend, Blaylock, is Director of the Creative Writing Department. Powers and his wife, Serena, currently live in Muscoy, California. He has frequently served as a mentor author as part of the Clarion science fiction/fantasy writer's workshop.
He also taught part time at the University of Redlands.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
Most of Powers's novels are "secret histories": he uses actual, documented historical events featuring famous people, but shows another view of them in which occult or supernatural factors heavily influence the motivations and actions of the characters.
Powers was born in Buffalo, New York, and grew up in California, where his Roman Catholic family moved in 1959.
He studied English Literature at Cal State Fullerton, where he first met James Blaylock and K.W. Jeter, both of whom remained close friends and occasional collaborators; the trio have half-seriously referred to themselves as "steampunks" in contrast to the prevailing cyberpunk genre of the 1980s. Powers and Blaylock invented the poet William Ashbless while they were at Cal State Fullerton.
Another friend Powers first met during this period was noted science fiction writer Philip K. Dick; the character named "David" in Dick's novel VALIS is based on Powers and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (Blade Runner) is dedicated to him.
Powers's first major novel was The Drawing of the Dark (1979), but the novel that earned him wide praise was The Anubis Gates, which won the Philip K. Dick Award, and has since been published in many other languages.
Powers also teaches part-time in his role as Writer in Residence for the Orange County High School of the Arts where his friend, Blaylock, is Director of the Creative Writing Department. Powers and his wife, Serena, currently live in Muscoy, California. He has frequently served as a mentor author as part of the Clarion science fiction/fantasy writer's workshop.
He also taught part time at the University of Redlands.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 14, 2020
What can I say - the Anubis Gates is one of my all time favourite books so when I see any new material from Tim Powers with only the slightest of references to the book I will jump at it - possibly without even thinking about it.
And so I found my way to the latest short story and at just under 80 pages I consider it is published as a collectable Subterranean book I could not wait to read it.
And 2 hours later I have - the book centres around Horrabin the evil clown leader of the beggars guild and his plans to further his own personal agendas. Now this book is set before the Anubis Gates however it gives you some further insights you pick up in the main book.
However for me I think it serves a greater and simpler purpose - it lets us explore the beggars guild, the Rockery and see more of that clown in action. I just hope there are more to come.
And so I found my way to the latest short story and at just under 80 pages I consider it is published as a collectable Subterranean book I could not wait to read it.
And 2 hours later I have - the book centres around Horrabin the evil clown leader of the beggars guild and his plans to further his own personal agendas. Now this book is set before the Anubis Gates however it gives you some further insights you pick up in the main book.
However for me I think it serves a greater and simpler purpose - it lets us explore the beggars guild, the Rockery and see more of that clown in action. I just hope there are more to come.
October 18, 2023
The Properties of Rooftop Air once again returns us to the haunted, Byronic London Tim Powers first created in The Anubis Gates. It is a deep dive into the inner workings of the Rockery, base of the nefarious beggar’s guild. Powers is a master of the uncanny, and this short tale quickly progresses from disturbing, to creepy, to quietly terrifying.
When I first read this story I focused on it mainly as a creepy, atmospheric piece, revealing malevolent characters and occult secrets to make the skin crawl. But there is something deeper here. The Devil’s bargain presented to the simpleton Isaac Fairchild and his ultimate reaction to it packs a powerful moral into this brief tale. It’s not original, but it’s delivery is impactful.
When I first read this story I focused on it mainly as a creepy, atmospheric piece, revealing malevolent characters and occult secrets to make the skin crawl. But there is something deeper here. The Devil’s bargain presented to the simpleton Isaac Fairchild and his ultimate reaction to it packs a powerful moral into this brief tale. It’s not original, but it’s delivery is impactful.
October 22, 2023
Horrabin the Clown beggar king and his creepy alchemical underworld was my favorite part of The Anubis Gates novel, and this little story brings back that character and that world to chilling and unsettling effect.
Tim Powers cinematic writing is very strong here, conjuring up images of the Spoonsize Boys enacting a chess game and pulling off heists and assassinations so vividly that I can see them in my mind's eye, and I WANT to see them played out in a visual form. Why aren't there more movies/animations of Powers works? This story in particular would make a fantastic little Tim Burton-esque short.
All this fantastic visual dressing hangs on a rather simple morality play of the "knowledge and power at what cost?" variety, and the resolution is satisfying if a bit predictable. The story is really secondary to the fantastical images Powers creates through his masterful prose.
Tim Powers cinematic writing is very strong here, conjuring up images of the Spoonsize Boys enacting a chess game and pulling off heists and assassinations so vividly that I can see them in my mind's eye, and I WANT to see them played out in a visual form. Why aren't there more movies/animations of Powers works? This story in particular would make a fantastic little Tim Burton-esque short.
All this fantastic visual dressing hangs on a rather simple morality play of the "knowledge and power at what cost?" variety, and the resolution is satisfying if a bit predictable. The story is really secondary to the fantastical images Powers creates through his masterful prose.
April 20, 2020
Witness a nostalgic return to the setting of the 1983 PKDick Award Winning novel, "The Anubis Gates" ... which probably was one of the earliest and most enjoyable steampunk novels I've read. Feel the claustrophobic feeling of the narrow and twisty alleys of the slums of St Giles rookery in 19th century London. Center stage is the foreboding building of the Rat's Castle with the Welkin Rood platform shutting upward from the roof ... like a giant middle finger. This is the frequent "best thinking" spot for the evil clown Horrabin who is the master of the thieves and beggars gathered under this roof. A new recruit has joined Horrabin's guild ... 34 year old Isaac Fairchild, who is simple and somewhat dimwitted ... unable to read or write and has failed miserably at the first two menial positions of "Mintie Dropper" and "Famished Beggar". He is aware that Horrabin has been known to blind or cripple his beggars and thieves to achieve a greater degree of pity. Fairchild is summoned into the subterranean bowels of Rat's Castle ... known as "The Nursery". This is the home of the two inch Spoonsize Boys ... an alchemically grown (and not conceived) lot of sexless homunculi that do Horrabins' bidding of thievery and assassination. Fairchild learns that is not be maimed but given the chance to expand his intelligence by being grafted into the hive mind of the Spoonsize Boys. He is aware of his innate limitations but at what price will this "gift" cost him? Is he willing to give up his autonomy and free will? Or will he go down swinging!
Tim Powers' novella showcases his boundless inventiveness in this dark and foreboding gem ... meant for the aficionados of his oeuvre. Thanks to NetGalley and Subterranean Press ( @SubPress) for providing an electronic uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review. (at readersremains.com )
Tim Powers' novella showcases his boundless inventiveness in this dark and foreboding gem ... meant for the aficionados of his oeuvre. Thanks to NetGalley and Subterranean Press ( @SubPress) for providing an electronic uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review. (at readersremains.com )
July 2, 2020
I was SO psyched to find out Tim Powers had something new out - I wasn’t even sure he was still publishing! I bought it without reading the description or even checking the price.
Imagine my surprise and, yes, disappointment when, shortly afterward starting it, I found out it was a measly 45 pages long! Not even as long as a decent-sized short story...
Though its says in the description, which I finally read once I discovered its paltry length, that this one is set in the world of The Anubis Gates I caught almost no references to that work - but it’s been many years since I devoured that one, along with several others of his, all in a row after first discovering his mighty work, so it’s highly possible I missed any such references.
To be sure, the 45 pages are chock full of all of the reasons I love Mr. Powers’ writing and style. Vividly painted people and places, mood-setting language, an ominous sense of something going or about to go very, very wrong - but this one read more like a fable, a cautionary tale, that was over just as it was getting started, and getting good. The ideas contained and conveyed, and the ways of doing each, are classic Powers, and I’m glad I read it.
I just wish it was about ten times longer.
Imagine my surprise and, yes, disappointment when, shortly afterward starting it, I found out it was a measly 45 pages long! Not even as long as a decent-sized short story...
Though its says in the description, which I finally read once I discovered its paltry length, that this one is set in the world of The Anubis Gates I caught almost no references to that work - but it’s been many years since I devoured that one, along with several others of his, all in a row after first discovering his mighty work, so it’s highly possible I missed any such references.
To be sure, the 45 pages are chock full of all of the reasons I love Mr. Powers’ writing and style. Vividly painted people and places, mood-setting language, an ominous sense of something going or about to go very, very wrong - but this one read more like a fable, a cautionary tale, that was over just as it was getting started, and getting good. The ideas contained and conveyed, and the ways of doing each, are classic Powers, and I’m glad I read it.
I just wish it was about ten times longer.
September 7, 2020
The Properties of Rooftop Air returns to the world of the Anubis Gates. We learn a bit more about the clown Horrabin. He is pitiable and terrible at the same time. We learn where the spoon-size boys come from.
Mr. Powers raises the philosophical question of the continuity of existence. If you think about it, ten years ago we were all mostly comprised of different molecules, yet our minds feel intact. The story raises a similar issue.
It is different from past works in that the protagonist doesn't exactly triumph over his adversaries, yet in the end he keeps his integrity -- a triumph of the human spirit.
One thing, it is a short story, not a book. Yet fascinating for all that.
Mr. Powers raises the philosophical question of the continuity of existence. If you think about it, ten years ago we were all mostly comprised of different molecules, yet our minds feel intact. The story raises a similar issue.
It is different from past works in that the protagonist doesn't exactly triumph over his adversaries, yet in the end he keeps his integrity -- a triumph of the human spirit.
One thing, it is a short story, not a book. Yet fascinating for all that.
August 22, 2020
Meh. Quick read - just a novelette. Part of the Anubis Gate storyline.
June 15, 2021
My full review is up at http://www.sfrevu.com/php/Review-id.p... Here are some highlights.
Subterranean Press is a small specialty press that focuses on books for collectors, especially limited editions. This makes them an excellent fit for Tim Powers, who tends to attract a specialty audience. Powers tends to write secret histories, where history, as written, is not the full story. Unlike alternate history, which twists the events of history, in secret history the events of history as we know it happened but the reasons behind these historical events are magical forces, global conspiracies, ghosts, or other strange doings. While Powers is best known for On Stranger Tides, which Disney loosely adapted into one of its Pirates of the Caribbean movies, many readers, including myself, prefer The Anubis Gates, a book where a time travel expedition to 19th century London gets mixed up with Egyptian magic, a body-switching killer, and a sorcerer-clown who runs a crew of beggars.
That clown, Horrabin, is the antagonist of The Properties of Rooftop Air, a slim novella with a few of the characters from and the setting of The Anubis Gates. There is only a passing reference to the novel's main character and those who have not read the book closely may easily miss it. Instead, this is the story of Isaac Fairchild, whose intelligence is so low that he is unsuccessful as a beggar and can barely write his own name.
Collectors and super Powers fans will want the limited edition. Readers who loved The Anubis Gates and want to revisit that world may find the ebook version worth it even though it costs as much as many ebook novels. Everyone else should read The Anubis Gates first and then decide if they want to learn more about Horrabin and his gang of beggars.
Subterranean Press is a small specialty press that focuses on books for collectors, especially limited editions. This makes them an excellent fit for Tim Powers, who tends to attract a specialty audience. Powers tends to write secret histories, where history, as written, is not the full story. Unlike alternate history, which twists the events of history, in secret history the events of history as we know it happened but the reasons behind these historical events are magical forces, global conspiracies, ghosts, or other strange doings. While Powers is best known for On Stranger Tides, which Disney loosely adapted into one of its Pirates of the Caribbean movies, many readers, including myself, prefer The Anubis Gates, a book where a time travel expedition to 19th century London gets mixed up with Egyptian magic, a body-switching killer, and a sorcerer-clown who runs a crew of beggars.
That clown, Horrabin, is the antagonist of The Properties of Rooftop Air, a slim novella with a few of the characters from and the setting of The Anubis Gates. There is only a passing reference to the novel's main character and those who have not read the book closely may easily miss it. Instead, this is the story of Isaac Fairchild, whose intelligence is so low that he is unsuccessful as a beggar and can barely write his own name.
Collectors and super Powers fans will want the limited edition. Readers who loved The Anubis Gates and want to revisit that world may find the ebook version worth it even though it costs as much as many ebook novels. Everyone else should read The Anubis Gates first and then decide if they want to learn more about Horrabin and his gang of beggars.
May 18, 2022
This is a quick and engaging read; a brief re-immersion in the deeply atmospheric setting of The Anubis Gates.
But really, the genius of that book is in its carefully constructed plot of time travel and body switching, more than in its evocative descriptions of the grim London underworld. Horrabin and his father; beggars and miniature magical creatures - to me, these are better suited as just a few of the many elements of the chaotic past environment in which Brendan Doyle finds himself.
In this book, we instead see the simple and unfortunate Fairchild going up against these same malicious forces. The conflict is of course brilliantly sketched through Powers’ always elegant and instantly recognizable use of language. And yes, it’s thrilling to watch as the protagonist struggles to maintain his integrity in the face of painful temptation - but it’s a limited and short-lived thrill, due to the short story format, and while it’s certainly powerful, I prefer the more hopeful and uplifting side of Powers stories.
So it’s not essential Powers reading in my opinion, but nicely done, and certainly worth reading by fans of The Anubis Gates - in particular for the fascinating expanded explanation of the purpose and nature of the spoonsize boys.
But really, the genius of that book is in its carefully constructed plot of time travel and body switching, more than in its evocative descriptions of the grim London underworld. Horrabin and his father; beggars and miniature magical creatures - to me, these are better suited as just a few of the many elements of the chaotic past environment in which Brendan Doyle finds himself.
In this book, we instead see the simple and unfortunate Fairchild going up against these same malicious forces. The conflict is of course brilliantly sketched through Powers’ always elegant and instantly recognizable use of language. And yes, it’s thrilling to watch as the protagonist struggles to maintain his integrity in the face of painful temptation - but it’s a limited and short-lived thrill, due to the short story format, and while it’s certainly powerful, I prefer the more hopeful and uplifting side of Powers stories.
So it’s not essential Powers reading in my opinion, but nicely done, and certainly worth reading by fans of The Anubis Gates - in particular for the fascinating expanded explanation of the purpose and nature of the spoonsize boys.
October 21, 2022
I missed the "novella" part when I first read the description and was expecting a full-length sequel to ANUBIS GATES. When I saw the length of the review copy, I thought it was just the first chapter and I had been sent a sample rather than the whole book. Turns out that wasn't the case.
It's a fine story and I quickly remembered the context for it once I started reading (it's been a long time since ANUBIS for me). This would be a great first chapter of a longer work but it's only a decent short story if that's all it's going to be. I read it in under 30 minutes so I have a hard time calling it a novella. Perhaps "novelette" would be better. The publisher's web site says it will come in at 80 pages in hardcover, but at a page a minute reading time I would expect 30 pages at most. Given the outrageous pricing (basic copies at $40, signed copies at $500[!]}, this seems like a way to create a high-priced limited edition out of a story that isn't really up to it. I guess authors and publishers have to do what they do, but I'm not feeling it.
The story itself is like a take on "Flowers for Algernon" set in the ANUBIS world, but less poignant. It needs to be longer to get everything out of it that it suggests. That doesn't seem to be the plan.
"3" for the story as a standalone effort, "1" for the marketing approach.
It's a fine story and I quickly remembered the context for it once I started reading (it's been a long time since ANUBIS for me). This would be a great first chapter of a longer work but it's only a decent short story if that's all it's going to be. I read it in under 30 minutes so I have a hard time calling it a novella. Perhaps "novelette" would be better. The publisher's web site says it will come in at 80 pages in hardcover, but at a page a minute reading time I would expect 30 pages at most. Given the outrageous pricing (basic copies at $40, signed copies at $500[!]}, this seems like a way to create a high-priced limited edition out of a story that isn't really up to it. I guess authors and publishers have to do what they do, but I'm not feeling it.
The story itself is like a take on "Flowers for Algernon" set in the ANUBIS world, but less poignant. It needs to be longer to get everything out of it that it suggests. That doesn't seem to be the plan.
"3" for the story as a standalone effort, "1" for the marketing approach.
February 8, 2021
A novelette set in the Anubis Gates world of early 19th century London. Isaac Fairchild is a dim-witted 34 year old manchild trying to survive on the streets. He is not sharp enough for the usual trades of pickpocketing, street scams, or beggaring and is worried that Horraibin, the clownish master of Isaac's beggar's guild, will maim him to better bring in the schillings. But Horrabin has a plan to make use of Isaac that at first glance is not quite a maiming...
Engrossing fast read. Pairs well with Daniel Keyes's Flowers for Algernon.
Engrossing fast read. Pairs well with Daniel Keyes's Flowers for Algernon.
February 5, 2023
And since I just finished his short story collection, might as well round it out with one that isn't collected. A particularly dim beggar has his intelligence boosted by matching him with the collective gestalt of the Spponsize Boys, Horriban the clown's miniature homonculi. I was a bit worried it was going to be an 'intelligence is unbearable!' narrative, but it ends up being an exploration of identity and conscience instead, and though ultimately tragic, it culminates with a genuinely transcendant climax atop a high wooden tower overlooking the West End of London. This was published in 2020 - Powers is still absolutely at the top of his game.
July 5, 2020
A welcome return to the world of The Anubis Gates, this novella is typical for the authors shorter works where it doesn't tell a traditional story with a beginning, middle, or end but more of a part of a larger story. In this case a tale of Horrabin the Clown one of the mnore colorful characters from The Anubis Gates. Still satisfying nonetheless. Worth the read if you are a fan of Tim Powers.
September 25, 2020
“If Charles Dickens had written Killer Klowns,” by Tim Powers doesn’t come close to the weirdness of this dark – dare I say Dickensian – novella. It’s definitely one of the edgier, darker Powers works I’ve read, and the novella length sharpens the focus further. A must-read for Powers fans and lovers of the darkly twisted, although not for the faint of heart and probably not the best gateway drug. If you’re new to Powers, try The Anubis Gates, On Stranger Tides, or Declare before diving into this one.
October 7, 2020
Novella set in The Anubis Gates' London - Horrabin the clown/beggar king features.
An interesting supplement/anecdote to the main book - possibly even more incidental than the previous novella! A pleasant enough read - typical Powers!
The ebook lacks the illustrations (by David Palumbo) from the limited hardback - see the Subterranean Press website for them) but the online ebook/epub (and presumably kindle version) has the chapter decorations in the second colour.
An interesting supplement/anecdote to the main book - possibly even more incidental than the previous novella! A pleasant enough read - typical Powers!
The ebook lacks the illustrations (by David Palumbo) from the limited hardback - see the Subterranean Press website for them) but the online ebook/epub (and presumably kindle version) has the chapter decorations in the second colour.
July 13, 2025
Spooky, atmospheric short story about temptation and conscience set sometime just prior to The Anubis Gates. Lots going on here—I’d like to read it again soon. This story is not dependent on the novel in plot terms but I’m not sure I would have understood what’s going on without having read that first.
May 5, 2020
The story focuses on a beggar guild run by Horrabin the Clown in 19th century London. Horrabin is evil with a reputation of maiming his beggars to increase their ability to bring in more money. Beggar Isaac Fairchild is so simple minded that he fails at even the most menial tasks given to him and is unable to bring any money back to the guild. Isaac is barely able to even write his own name. Fearing that the Clown is going to maim him, he is surprised, and pleased, when Isaac learns he can increase his intelligence by joining his mind with magically created two-inch-tall men. He is eager to learn to read and understand the world around him. And as his intelligence increases, he becomes more aware of his moral compass.
This is a short novella, and I read it twice because it has so much packed into a small package. The descriptions of the rookery where they live, the streets where the men practice their deceptions, the Nursery where the Spoonsize men live, and the description of the evil Clown are wonderful in their details. I can only imagine how fantastic it will be when the illustrations are revealed. The book reminded me of “Flowers for Algernon” and challenges of becoming more intelligent and more aware of life and all it encompasses.
Thanks to NetGalley and Subterranean Press ( @SubPress) for providing an electronic uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review.
This is a short novella, and I read it twice because it has so much packed into a small package. The descriptions of the rookery where they live, the streets where the men practice their deceptions, the Nursery where the Spoonsize men live, and the description of the evil Clown are wonderful in their details. I can only imagine how fantastic it will be when the illustrations are revealed. The book reminded me of “Flowers for Algernon” and challenges of becoming more intelligent and more aware of life and all it encompasses.
Thanks to NetGalley and Subterranean Press ( @SubPress) for providing an electronic uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review.
August 29, 2020
This novelette takes place in Tim Powers’ fantastic London, complete with a delightful cast of misfits, dwarves, clowns, gypsy sorcerers, and alchemically-hatched homunculi. The small book seems a little expensive, but it’s Tim Powers, and thus I had to have it.
October 23, 2020
Great addition to the mythos
Loved the details inside Horrabin's organization.
Powers writes in a way that makes you feel like you are actually there.
If you liked The Anubis Gates, don't miss this addition to the story!
Loved the details inside Horrabin's organization.
Powers writes in a way that makes you feel like you are actually there.
If you liked The Anubis Gates, don't miss this addition to the story!
July 12, 2020
Horribly intriguing
This story is full of possibilities that cry out to be made full fledged novels! I hope the author will follow up with more stories.
This story is full of possibilities that cry out to be made full fledged novels! I hope the author will follow up with more stories.
July 18, 2020
I enjoyed this much more than the other Anubis Gates spin off. Powers continues to deliver.
July 29, 2020
Great to see a return to the setting of The Anubis Gates. Tim's storytelling at top form here, but it feels like the first two chapters of a larger work that he decided to cut short.
October 9, 2020
An elegant, eloquent little tale.
May 30, 2021
Short but great.
Glad Tim Powers sent back to the Anubis Gates, it's my favorite book that he's written. Hope to see more short stories
Glad Tim Powers sent back to the Anubis Gates, it's my favorite book that he's written. Hope to see more short stories
December 30, 2021
an episode from the anubis gates not included in the novel - very short and doesn't stand well on its own - but really great to add on after reading the novel
November 4, 2024
A far beefier tale than the other ANUBIS-adjacent, NOBODY’S HOME.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews