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The Gorgon And Other Beastly Tales
THE GORGON, a brilliant shocker that leads off this scintillating collection of Tanith Lee's tales, was the winner of the World Fantasy Award for best short story of the year in 1983. It is appropriate that it gives its title to these tales ranging from horror and the supernatural to science fiction, from the writer who has been justly termed "Princess Royal of Heroic Fantasy."
Here you will find unforgettable encounters of men and beasts - of dragons and unicorns, cats and seals, virgins and vampires. This is truly a feast of treasures for everyone whose taste runs to a gourmet imagination.
Here you will find unforgettable encounters of men and beasts - of dragons and unicorns, cats and seals, virgins and vampires. This is truly a feast of treasures for everyone whose taste runs to a gourmet imagination.
184 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 1982
11 people are currently reading
472 people want to read
About the author
Tanith Lee
615 books1,964 followersTanith Lee was a British writer of science fiction, horror, and fantasy. She was the author of 77 novels, 14 collections, and almost 300 short stories. She also wrote four radio plays broadcast by the BBC and two scripts for the UK, science fiction, cult television series "Blake's 7."
Before becoming a full time writer, Lee worked as a file clerk, an assistant librarian, a shop assistant, and a waitress.
Her first short story, "Eustace," was published in 1968, and her first novel (for children) The Dragon Hoard was published in 1971.
Her career took off in 1975 with the acceptance by Daw Books USA of her adult fantasy epic The Birthgrave for publication as a mass-market paperback, and Lee has since maintained a prolific output in popular genre writing.
Lee twice won the World Fantasy Award: once in 1983 for best short fiction for “The Gorgon” and again in 1984 for best short fiction for “Elle Est Trois (La Mort).” She has been a Guest of Honour at numerous science fiction and fantasy conventions including the Boskone XVIII in Boston, USA in 1981, the 1984 World Fantasy Convention in Ottawa, Canada, and Orbital 2008 the British National Science Fiction convention (Eastercon) held in London, England in March 2008. In 2009 she was awarded the prestigious title of Grand Master of Horror.
Lee was the daughter of two ballroom dancers, Bernard and Hylda Lee. Despite a persistent rumour, she was not the daughter of the actor Bernard Lee who played "M" in the James Bond series of films of the 1960s.
Tanith Lee married author and artist John Kaiine in 1992.
Before becoming a full time writer, Lee worked as a file clerk, an assistant librarian, a shop assistant, and a waitress.
Her first short story, "Eustace," was published in 1968, and her first novel (for children) The Dragon Hoard was published in 1971.
Her career took off in 1975 with the acceptance by Daw Books USA of her adult fantasy epic The Birthgrave for publication as a mass-market paperback, and Lee has since maintained a prolific output in popular genre writing.
Lee twice won the World Fantasy Award: once in 1983 for best short fiction for “The Gorgon” and again in 1984 for best short fiction for “Elle Est Trois (La Mort).” She has been a Guest of Honour at numerous science fiction and fantasy conventions including the Boskone XVIII in Boston, USA in 1981, the 1984 World Fantasy Convention in Ottawa, Canada, and Orbital 2008 the British National Science Fiction convention (Eastercon) held in London, England in March 2008. In 2009 she was awarded the prestigious title of Grand Master of Horror.
Lee was the daughter of two ballroom dancers, Bernard and Hylda Lee. Despite a persistent rumour, she was not the daughter of the actor Bernard Lee who played "M" in the James Bond series of films of the 1960s.
Tanith Lee married author and artist John Kaiine in 1992.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 17, 2018
I don't know why it has taken me so long to 'discover' this author. This is the first book I have read by her and despite being a bit 'mwah' about short stories, I was very impressed. Lee writes in such a beautiful way, a style that reminds me a bit of Charles Dickens or Jane Austen, that sort of lyrical, classical prose that you don't see a lot any more. The ideas behind the stories are brilliant as well, a real sting or twist in the tale that I often didn't see coming.
I can't say that there wasn't a story I disliked, but three definitely stood out as my favourites:-
'The Gorgon' is quite a sad, terrible tale, where a pushy tourist insists on investigating a lonely island, despite being warned away by the locals. You expect some sort of horrific monster and in many ways, that is just what you get. But it's a bittersweet discovery.
"Magritte's Secret Agent" is a strange little tale. A young woman meets a lady and her disabled son. Despite misgivings, she becomes obsessed with the wheelchair obsessed man and the rude, angry mother. In a fit of drunken rage, she does something infinitely stupid, only for huge secrets to be revealed.
"The Hunting of Death: The Unicorn" is a three part tale, although each is told from the point of view of the same soul. I didn't want to read this to begin with, as I hate the idea of hunting animals. But the story is very different, very surreal and I think the Unicorn wins out in the end!
A collection that definitely gets you thinking and draws you into Lee's weird, wonderful world. I'm looking forward to reading the other books I have by her and to tracking down those I don't have ;)
I can't say that there wasn't a story I disliked, but three definitely stood out as my favourites:-
'The Gorgon' is quite a sad, terrible tale, where a pushy tourist insists on investigating a lonely island, despite being warned away by the locals. You expect some sort of horrific monster and in many ways, that is just what you get. But it's a bittersweet discovery.
"Magritte's Secret Agent" is a strange little tale. A young woman meets a lady and her disabled son. Despite misgivings, she becomes obsessed with the wheelchair obsessed man and the rude, angry mother. In a fit of drunken rage, she does something infinitely stupid, only for huge secrets to be revealed.
"The Hunting of Death: The Unicorn" is a three part tale, although each is told from the point of view of the same soul. I didn't want to read this to begin with, as I hate the idea of hunting animals. But the story is very different, very surreal and I think the Unicorn wins out in the end!
A collection that definitely gets you thinking and draws you into Lee's weird, wonderful world. I'm looking forward to reading the other books I have by her and to tracking down those I don't have ;)
November 6, 2021
I read this book in middle school. I just thought about how one of the stories describes unicorns as being shaped like greyhound dogs. So I’m giving it 5 stars.
October 9, 2014
One of my favorite things about Tanith Lee has always been her first sentences. It is hard not to be immediately hooked. Nor do the short stories in The Gorgon disappoint once you get into the meat of them. While rarely cheerful there is always a certain humor under the words.
These stories impress me because they are all substantially different. Despite their differences you feel each is connected in style and intent leading to a seamless read.
These stories impress me because they are all substantially different. Despite their differences you feel each is connected in style and intent leading to a seamless read.
October 26, 2013
One of the best short story-books I've read, Tanith Lee takes us inside the different protagonists heads in those stories and paint a setting that at the first glance looks completely normal then twisting it with some supernatural elements, often with dark and evil powers that rises, making them suddenly hauntingly dark and mystic and it's not always so easy to tell what happens in then end. I like those twists as the refresh those stories, some are sett in our time, some in different worlds or more ancient periods of time.
One of the best stories is the second one; "Anna Medea" (followed by a strange tale called Meow) who's is dark and mystic tale where I as reader can't be sure what to believe in the final end who together with "Monkey's Stagger" (about a demon) and the story "Sirriamnis" (worshiping a night goddess) is hauntingly well written who are powered by believes in old magic and symbolism.
The collection starts with The Gordon, a tale of a writer on vacation that finds out of an enchant island outside the village he lives that he must visit but noone wants to take him there, after some while he hears of a monster from the Greek tales living there and swims over and finds unexpectedly a house and inside this house a mysterious women with a mask that she won't take of whom he falls in love with until...
The longest story here "Death of a unicorn" is a 3-part story just strange, I didn't like it and found it boring and there are a few other stories her to that I don't mentions but "Draco Draco" is entertaining, if Tanith Lee is this good at short stories how is then her longer books I wonder? This is definitely an author that I want to read more of in the future...
One of the best stories is the second one; "Anna Medea" (followed by a strange tale called Meow) who's is dark and mystic tale where I as reader can't be sure what to believe in the final end who together with "Monkey's Stagger" (about a demon) and the story "Sirriamnis" (worshiping a night goddess) is hauntingly well written who are powered by believes in old magic and symbolism.
The collection starts with The Gordon, a tale of a writer on vacation that finds out of an enchant island outside the village he lives that he must visit but noone wants to take him there, after some while he hears of a monster from the Greek tales living there and swims over and finds unexpectedly a house and inside this house a mysterious women with a mask that she won't take of whom he falls in love with until...
The longest story here "Death of a unicorn" is a 3-part story just strange, I didn't like it and found it boring and there are a few other stories her to that I don't mentions but "Draco Draco" is entertaining, if Tanith Lee is this good at short stories how is then her longer books I wonder? This is definitely an author that I want to read more of in the future...
April 22, 2010
Tanith Lee has been one of my favorite writers since my teens. She's equally adept at high fantasy or science fiction, has a prodigious imagination, and a lush, sensuous style. Here she proves she can impress as easily at short as in novel-length, and the 11 stories here show off a wide range. The title story "The Gorgon" won the World Fantasy Award for best short story, and most of the other stories are just as impressive. About half of the stories could be called Urban Fantasy, a couple science fiction, and all have an element of horror, even the humorous tales--and some of the most horrific maintain an element of humor. Here, for instance, are a few lines from "Anna Medea"--a couple talking about their children (who are a handful).
"I told you, I can't explain. Perhaps it's instinct. She might--harm the children."
"Do you really think so?" Claude Irving asked with some eagerness.
The tales deal with such fantastic beasts as gorgons, succubi, unicorns, dragons, weres, kelpies, selkies. Several of the stories are absolutely creepy, among them "Magritte's Secret Agent" and "Sirriamnis." Besides those already mentioned, I especially liked the humorous "Draco, Draco," (which like several of the tales had a clever twist and subversion of genre) and the last story, "La Reine Blanche," which had a fairy tale feel (and obviously inspired the cover.) I'd also note I last read these stories decades ago when I first bought the book, and yet I remembered most of these stories, or at least elements of them, if not right from the title, yet paragraphs in--that's not usual with short stories but these are standouts.
"I told you, I can't explain. Perhaps it's instinct. She might--harm the children."
"Do you really think so?" Claude Irving asked with some eagerness.
The tales deal with such fantastic beasts as gorgons, succubi, unicorns, dragons, weres, kelpies, selkies. Several of the stories are absolutely creepy, among them "Magritte's Secret Agent" and "Sirriamnis." Besides those already mentioned, I especially liked the humorous "Draco, Draco," (which like several of the tales had a clever twist and subversion of genre) and the last story, "La Reine Blanche," which had a fairy tale feel (and obviously inspired the cover.) I'd also note I last read these stories decades ago when I first bought the book, and yet I remembered most of these stories, or at least elements of them, if not right from the title, yet paragraphs in--that's not usual with short stories but these are standouts.
August 28, 2017
Oh, Tanith Lee--so weird and so awesome. I'm not usually a big fan of short stories, but Lee knew how to do them right.
The first story (The Gorgon, which kind of reminded me of John Fowles' The Magus) and the last (La Reign Blanche, which seemed to draw on elements of Cinderella, Snow White, Rapunzel, and E.A. Poe's The Raven) were my favorites, but there wasn't a single story in this collection that I didn't enjoy (or, if not enjoy, exactly, at least consider good or thought-provoking or super creepy). These stories cover a lot of ground, from fairy tale retellings, mythology, horror, humor, traditional fantasy of the unicorn and dragon variety (but with a few twists), science fiction, cats, and women's roles, stereotypes and treatment. A lot going on here!
I'm still making my way through Lee's VAST amount of work, but I can definitely see revisiting this one someday.
The first story (The Gorgon, which kind of reminded me of John Fowles' The Magus) and the last (La Reign Blanche, which seemed to draw on elements of Cinderella, Snow White, Rapunzel, and E.A. Poe's The Raven) were my favorites, but there wasn't a single story in this collection that I didn't enjoy (or, if not enjoy, exactly, at least consider good or thought-provoking or super creepy). These stories cover a lot of ground, from fairy tale retellings, mythology, horror, humor, traditional fantasy of the unicorn and dragon variety (but with a few twists), science fiction, cats, and women's roles, stereotypes and treatment. A lot going on here!
I'm still making my way through Lee's VAST amount of work, but I can definitely see revisiting this one someday.
December 10, 2008
A collection of short stories of varying types, all enjoyable, although the disparities in writing atmosphere are sometimes a bit abrupt. My favorites are probably The Gorgon, which is brutally ironic in its revelation, & La Reine Blanche, which is worth crying over.
October 9, 2015
Table of Contents:
"The Gorgon"
"Anna Medea"
"Meow"
"The Hunting of Death: The Unicorn"
"Magritte’s Secret Agent"
"Monkey’s Stagger"
"Sirriamnis"
"Because Our Skies Are Finer"
"Draco"
"Draco & La Reine Blanche"
"The Gorgon"
"Anna Medea"
"Meow"
"The Hunting of Death: The Unicorn"
"Magritte’s Secret Agent"
"Monkey’s Stagger"
"Sirriamnis"
"Because Our Skies Are Finer"
"Draco"
"Draco & La Reine Blanche"
February 5, 2017
This was a trip down memory lane that I didn't know I was going on. Turns out, I have read this before as a kid, and it still holds up. Some stories were better than others but my favorites were:
The Gorgon
Meow
Anna Medea
Magritte's Secret Agent
Sirriamnis
and Draco, Draco
The Gorgon
Meow
Anna Medea
Magritte's Secret Agent
Sirriamnis
and Draco, Draco
June 8, 2017
Tanith Lee is a beautiful, literary writer. This set of short stories are probably the weirdest, gothic stories I've ever read. From Gorgons, werewolves, and rabbits, to queens, dragon-slayers, and aliens. Yes, there are aliens here too. Definitely worth the read.
August 26, 2013
I think Tanith Lee is at her best in short fiction, and I particularly enjoyed this collection.
on-hiatus
November 29, 2019Note- includes: The Gorgon; Draco, Draco; Rapunzel; Where all Things Perish; Dead Yellow; Clockatrice; Black Fire; The God Orkrem; Doll Re Mi
September 4, 2017
This is a collection of Tanith Lee short stories of all genres and styles, ranging from High Fantasy to Hard Science Fiction and everything – urban fantasy, magical realism, modern fiction – in between. I think I would have preferred a collection with more of a theme than just Tanith-Lee-wrote-these, but it’s still a very enjoyable ride.
The Gorgon One of those Mod-era “ugly Americans” on vacation in Greece (he claims he’s working on a novel) gets obsessed with a little island near where he’s staying, and, being told not to go there, promptly goes there and trespasses on a woman’s property who is polite enough to him, but in the end has no problems giving him the scare of his life in answer to his rudeness. The main character reeks of white male privilege and personally I feel he wasn’t punished enough.
Anna Medea A Gothic romantic thriller – a privileged father, unruly children, a stern nanny, an anxious mother, all on large grounds of an old manner with loyal staff complaining about mysterious events – all the pieces are here for a story we’ve all seen before, but there’s quite a twist at the end.
Meow Apparently jokes about the “crazy cat lady” stereotype was already a thing in the early 1980’s. Come on Lee, don’t be like that! I thought you were cool!
The Hunting of Death: The Unicorn This… meanders a bit as a soul experiences several lives revolving around unicorn hunting. And there’s some Jesus time at the end. The unicorn is Jesus? Maybe?
Magritte’s Secret Agent Woman sticks her nose in someone else’s business using pity to cover curiosity and then gets surprised when things get weird. Hard pass.
Monkey’s Stagger" A funny science fiction story making fun of both American and British empires and the fact both groups refuse to learn foreign tongues. Don’t worry – the young idiot will be fine.
Sirriamnis It has a Roman Empire feel to it, mixed with some old fashioned fantasy troupes. I would argue it doesn’t really go anywhere (oh boo hoo, poor rich young man, sex has consequences!) but the setting was fascinating to read about.
Because Our Skies Are Finer A selkie story that crashed into Captain Planet with a theme song of “Brandy You’re A Fine Girl.” Nice to see the jerk get his comeuppance!
Quatt-Supp I laughed very hard at the twist at the end of this witty little sci-fi tale about how similar people are about their pets across the galaxy.
Draco, Draco A young knight fights a dragon to try and rescue a damsel in distress. Ah, but the old servant can tell us what really happened. A well written Screw You! to all the old men more than willing to sacrifice the young in any time and place.
La Reine Blanche There is time travel and it gave me a headache. Still, after I managed to work out what happened, it was nice to see just desserts served up to everyone who deserved it.
October 13, 2020
I like and dislike this collection of supernatural/horror/fantasy tales. Actually, my liking is more an interest. I was very interested in seeing Tanith Lee weave her unique descriptions—and there’s no question that she has considerable skill in that direction. There’s some brilliant, unexpected word choice in the first few stories here: Skies are green porcelain, sea-water explodes from the shore in a white bomb. The problem is that such a gift, if overused, can become ostentatious and even annoying, which those first offerings occasionally do.
But Lee has two distinct voices. The poetry-in-prose voice gives way to a brisk, down-to-business voice in some of the latter stories, and by the final two I knew that under other circumstances I might consider her a truly great writer. “Draco, Draco” and “La Reine Blanche” are both spectacularly successful, I think—give me more like these, and I might have become a fan. Unfortunately, in the story “Sirriamnis” Lee decided to include some grotesque detail, and in my view it couldn’t possibly be in poorer taste—it is in fact downright pornographic. It involves radical liberties taken with one Tanit, a Phoenician goddess (is Tanith derived from Tanit, I wonder?), and my research indicates that the license Lee takes with that mythological figure is completely unwarranted. Not to mention disgusting.
Add to that the fact that “Qatt-Sup” is one of the most obvious and pointless stories I’ve read—any perceptive reader will probably figure out its “surprise” ending within a few paragraphs, after considering the title—and I know I’m definitely not a fan. To paraphrase a song: Just one book was all it took. I’m through with Tanith Lee.
But Lee has two distinct voices. The poetry-in-prose voice gives way to a brisk, down-to-business voice in some of the latter stories, and by the final two I knew that under other circumstances I might consider her a truly great writer. “Draco, Draco” and “La Reine Blanche” are both spectacularly successful, I think—give me more like these, and I might have become a fan. Unfortunately, in the story “Sirriamnis” Lee decided to include some grotesque detail, and in my view it couldn’t possibly be in poorer taste—it is in fact downright pornographic. It involves radical liberties taken with one Tanit, a Phoenician goddess (is Tanith derived from Tanit, I wonder?), and my research indicates that the license Lee takes with that mythological figure is completely unwarranted. Not to mention disgusting.
Add to that the fact that “Qatt-Sup” is one of the most obvious and pointless stories I’ve read—any perceptive reader will probably figure out its “surprise” ending within a few paragraphs, after considering the title—and I know I’m definitely not a fan. To paraphrase a song: Just one book was all it took. I’m through with Tanith Lee.
January 1, 2022
Tanith Lee doing her thing by writing amazing stories with lush imagery and plot twists. Great collection!
February 27, 2015
I think that deep down, men are afraid of women. Why else would there be so many tales of shape-sifting, witches, gorgons and the like? Stories are told of brave men from peasants to knight, but few of women.
This collection of short stories tells of some of these fears that men have of women. The stories are well told, but ultimately to the detriment of men. So, let them be afraid of us, for are we not the way in which the world carries on? Without women, there would be no men. For ALL men are after all, born of women.
This collection of short stories tells of some of these fears that men have of women. The stories are well told, but ultimately to the detriment of men. So, let them be afraid of us, for are we not the way in which the world carries on? Without women, there would be no men. For ALL men are after all, born of women.
August 18, 2008
A sproadicly wonderful collection. Some of these are wonderful, some of these are so-so. Anna Medea shows she has read Saki, and La Reine Blanche reminds one of Angela Carter. Sirriamnis reminded me of Clark Ashton Smith. She seems to switch voices effrortlessly. On the other hand, Monkey's Stagger and Draco Draco are mildly amusing fantasy. The High Points justify getting this collection.
Note : Approx 1/2 of this book are in Dreams of Dark and Light.
Note : Approx 1/2 of this book are in Dreams of Dark and Light.
January 3, 2018
Shows Lee's flexibility as a writer. Stories don't unfold in the same way, nor do they seem to all be of the same genre. Poe-esque in the sense that it's more of a collection of stories of a similar theme in Lee's style, than just a book of sci-fi and fantasy stories.
November 25, 2018
loved this! list of my favourite stories:
ANNA MEDEA: 4/5
MONKEY'S STAGGER: 4/5
SIRRIAMNIS: 4/5
BECAUSE OUR SKINS ARE FINER: 5/5
QUATT-SUP: 5/5
DRACO DRACO: 5/5
LA REINE BLANCHE: 5/5
there were a couple stinkers but Who Cares, the rest were really lovely and enjoyable.
ANNA MEDEA: 4/5
MONKEY'S STAGGER: 4/5
SIRRIAMNIS: 4/5
BECAUSE OUR SKINS ARE FINER: 5/5
QUATT-SUP: 5/5
DRACO DRACO: 5/5
LA REINE BLANCHE: 5/5
there were a couple stinkers but Who Cares, the rest were really lovely and enjoyable.
August 11, 2021
Sometimes sad, sometimes terrifying, always with a twist at the end, 11 nice stories from Tanith Lee. From Imperial Rome to current time, from reality to fantasy, straddling the border between SF and fantasy, and sometimes even not, she shows here what a fine writer she was.
August 7, 2012
Another collection of short stories by the master, Ms. Lee, drawing on mythological inspiration. Complex, dark, and entertaining fiction as only she can write it.
December 3, 2008
This short story collection includes some rewritten fairy tales, as well as the story "Sirriamnis" from which I take my username.
April 26, 2012
Another masterful collection of short stories from Tanith Lee.
August 19, 2013
Tanith Lee turns on her great language in each tale, matching vocabulary and style to each story.
August 13, 2016
A very classical storie, very lovecraftian in its spirit, except on the ending.
January 19, 2020
The first book I read by Tanith Lee and I’m definitely wanting to read more of her. The Gorgon is an amazing modern take on Medusa. Anna Medea definitely kept you engaged. It reminded me of Carmilla but instead of a vampire they were werewolves. Sirammnis feels like a really old myth. I was not expecting where the story was going as I was reading. The death of the Unicorn was a bit tiresome for me. It’s kind of like a creation myth but I felt there wasn’t much substance to it. Margritte’s Secret Agent was probably my favorite. I wish there would have been more interaction between the son and the protagonist. But overall I related to the characters. We all get hurt and put up walls. We’re all curious. At the end of the day we just want to be free to live our lives. I would definitely recommend reading all stories. It was a really lucky find.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2023
Holy hell. An instant, lifelong fan of Tanith Lee has been born this day. She has an astonishing imagination and feels equally at home in fantasy, gothic horror, and science fiction. Her prose is not only lush and immersive, it is also written with such thematic clarity that she's able to articulate abstract concepts I've never even been able to put into words before.
There's no single subject matter that these stories are based around, but Lee seems to come back to the topic of growing up and mortality more often than not. She puts little faith in God and miracles, but makes human existence seem so magical on its own that the world feels better off for their absence.
Favorite entries:
Sirriamnis
The Hunting of Death: The Unicorn
Anna Medea
La Reine Blanche
There's no single subject matter that these stories are based around, but Lee seems to come back to the topic of growing up and mortality more often than not. She puts little faith in God and miracles, but makes human existence seem so magical on its own that the world feels better off for their absence.
Favorite entries:
Sirriamnis
The Hunting of Death: The Unicorn
Anna Medea
La Reine Blanche
October 9, 2023
4.5 stars.
This was an experience. With an incredible prose, Lee plays between the supernatural and the ordinary, sometimes creating scenarios so ambiguous it could damn well be something else in between the both. I particularly liked "La Reine Blanche", this one is completly in the realm of fantasy, and is quite evocative of a Grimm's fairytale. If someone told me this was some obscure legend I would have absolutely believed them. It also plays with temporalities, and fate. It was truly an amazing read. Honarable mentions also go to "Anna Medea" (Henry James was in my mind with this one), and "Monkey's Stagger" (which I believe has some things to say about the English Empire).
This was an experience. With an incredible prose, Lee plays between the supernatural and the ordinary, sometimes creating scenarios so ambiguous it could damn well be something else in between the both. I particularly liked "La Reine Blanche", this one is completly in the realm of fantasy, and is quite evocative of a Grimm's fairytale. If someone told me this was some obscure legend I would have absolutely believed them. It also plays with temporalities, and fate. It was truly an amazing read. Honarable mentions also go to "Anna Medea" (Henry James was in my mind with this one), and "Monkey's Stagger" (which I believe has some things to say about the English Empire).
July 19, 2025
Fairy tales, myths, and legends gain flesh and heart, while losing none of their poetry in this collection of cautionary stories, snapshots of outsiders scorned as monsters, yet are less monstrous the ones who named them; unrequited love, and dark humour. Wishes are granted in terrifying ways; as unicorns are pursued, gorgons are found, while dragons and demons are hunted. In a range of settings, touching upon science fiction and gothic ambiences as well as fantasy, supernatural, horror, and humour can be found within the pages of his collection of short stories. Some provoke thought, shudders, giggles, or all of the above, but each tale is unique, eloquent, and intriguing.
July 14, 2024
It took me decades to discover Tanith Lee for myself, and her writing is always delicious. Unfortunately my library doesn't have a big selection in ebook form. This collection has a beastly theme, but the stories are all very different from each other. I leaned towards the more horrible ones, of course, especially The Gorgon and Magritte's Secret Agent and Meow, but every one was an enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews