Metamorphosis

by James P. Blaylock, Tim Powers (Illustrator)

...Metamorphosis: three stories, each one involving a man who discovers that he has come to dwell, for an hour or for a lifetime, in a house and in a mind not quite his own. Each one opens doors onto rooms of illusion, radiance, regret, and dark enchantment. Welcome to the stories of three young writers, stories written in collaboration with James P. Blaylock. Welcome to the borderland of illusion and reality.

Three tales, written in collaboration by James P. Blaylock with students in a class by Tim Powers, with an introduction and illustrations by Tim, an afterword by Blaylock, and some necessary meddling by William Ashbless.

64 pages, Hardcover

First published April 30, 2009

About the author

James Paul Blaylock is an American fantasy author. He is noted for his distinctive style. He writes in a humorous way: His characters never walk, they clump along, or when someone complains (in a flying machine) that flight is impossible, the other characters agree and show him why he's right.

He was born in Long Beach, California; studied English at California State University, Fullerton, receiving an M.A. in 1974; and lives in Orange, California, teaching creative writing at Chapman University. Many of his books are set in Orange County, California, and can more specifically be termed "fabulism" — that is, fantastic things happen in our present-day world, rather than in traditional fantasy, where the setting is often some other world. His works have also been categorized as magic realism.

He and his friends Tim Powers and K.W. Jeter were mentored by Philip K. Dick. Along with Powers he invented the poet William Ashbless. Blaylock and Powers have often collaborated with each other on writing stories, including The Better Boy, On Pirates, and The William Ashbless Memorial Cookbook.

Blaylock is also currently director of the Creative Writing Conservatory at the Orange County High School of the Arts, where Powers is Writer in Residence.

Reviews

[Valerie Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this on Audible by mistake - looking for Kafka - but enjoyed the first story so much that I kept listening! Wonderful young talent! Great listen!

[David Edmonds · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a volume that I received in a grab bag of books from Subterranean Press, and since it was the smallest volume I received in the box, I decided to read it first off. The premise is interesting: the three stories included in the volume are collaborations by Blaylock with three of his students from a creative writing class that he teaches. Each story deals with a man who finds his perception of reality slightly shifted for just a moment, where he is able to perceive a world that may or may not be associated with our own. All the stories are well told, but the problem I have with the stories is that they may be too well told to be from the minds of high school students, and it's hard to determine where their ideas and writing would be distinguished from that of Blaylock. I'm not trying to disparage the writing of the three high school students in any way; I just wonder exactly how much influence Blaylock had over their writing.

Overall, a handsomely produced little volume and the added autographs from all five writers made for a nice surprise!

[Lucia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely give five stars. I think I am most impressed by this book of three short stories because of their origins: a School for Fine Arts in California; Creative Writing Class. These three short stories were written by teenagers. The third story showed great insight for such a young author.

And I loved the epilogues, quite funny!!! I am pleased that James Blaylock helped these young ladies find a voice.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collaboration between Blaylock and three students at Orange County High School for the Arts.

This short collection of shorter stories finds the author in a few of his favored modes (one per tale): Metaphysical Goofiness, Suburban Melancholy and Supernatural Familial.


A nice sampler platter one can finish on a single bus ride.

Cheers.

[David Schwan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three quick to read stories all written by students of James Blaylock and intended to be in his writing style. Of the three "Stone Eggs" is closest in style, and reminds me of the Blaylock work "13 Phantasms."