The Mutant Files

by Martin H. Greenberg (Editor), John Helfers (Editor), Lisanne Norman (Contributor)

Cahrles de LInt, Tanya Huff, Alan Dean Foster, David Bischoff, Fiona Patton, and other popular authors traces the sometimes offbeat paths of human evolution in sixteen original tales of genetic mutation, evolutionary errors, and superhuman powers. Original.

Genres: Science Fiction, Anthologies, Short Stories

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Martin Harry Greenberg was an American academic and speculative fiction anthologist. In all, he compiled 1,298 anthologies and commissioned over 8,200 original short stories. He founded Tekno Books, a packager of more than 2000 published books. In addition, he was a co-founder of the Sci-Fi Channel.

For the 1950s anthologist and publisher of Gnome Press, see Martin Greenberg.

Reviews

[Debbie is on Storygraph · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of short stories is much like any usual anthology. Some very good, a few I didn't really care for, and the rest mediocre. It's a fun read though, and has a variety of interesting ways to look at special powers and how those with powers exist in the normal world. I recommend this for anyone looking for a quick read and some light reading.

[Millerbug · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this anthology. it was very interesting and a really good read. My favorite stories were Lucky Guesses by Marc Bilgrey, Family by Fiona Patton, Sensitives by Nina Kiriki Hoffman, and Rites of Passage by Jody Lynn Nye.

[Steven Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

What makes a person a “mutant” & what makes them humanity’s “next evolutionary step”? It’s probably best to leave that for philosophers & scientists.

This book contains stories from folks who imagine what our world would look like if such humans existed as mutants in great numbers, from naturally born to artificially-created.


Freak - Charles de Lint: Bernie hears the thoughts of others. He sacrifices his life to protect a woman who has always been kind to him. Good

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice - Tanya Huff: Danielle is a highly intelligent girl but also a victim of a failed genetic aging experiment used on a couple trying to conceive. So-So

The Great Deep - Sophie Masson: 1712 Wales, 2 seals with human qualities appear from the ocean briefly on a beach, possibly confirming a family legend. Dull/Bad

Paint Box - Lisanne Norman: Three art students meet a mysterious girl who is forbidden to interact with others. It may have to do with her ability to change the molecular structure of anything she touches. So-So

The Killing of Bad Bull - Alan Dean Foster: An American Indian can “smell the moods” of electronics & uses this ability to make lots of money playing slot machines. Indian casino owners don’t like this, and have a contract out on him. Good

In The Dark Valley - Brendan DuBois: A woman marries & moves to her husband’s hometown. It’s a strange small town. The residents have a secret. (Not a very “mutant” plot. Twilight Zone material, maybe.) So-So

Behind His Gates of Gold - Karen Haber: An alternate media reporter goes undercover to discover the secrets of a mysterious tycoon. So-So

Interview with a Mutant - Janet Berliner: An eccentric doctor is followed by a reporter. Dull/Bad

Lucky Guesses - Marc Bilgrey: An empath who uses his ability to be successful at his job also helps a suicide case & reevaluates his life. Good

Mutant Mother From Hell: A "Fizz Smith" Story - David Bischoff: A parody of a whole mishmash of Sci-Fi/Fantasy plots with a dysfunctional mutant family added in. Dull/Bad

Family - Fiona Patton: A large family of mutants living in a rural area. Their abilities are connected to an island & something that happened there many years ago. Good

Rite of Passage - Jody Lynn Nye: A group of mutants are on a space flight to a world to be exiled from Earth. They share back & forth words of hostility with their temporary guards…until ship damage threatens them all. (An obvious cliché story…but still good) Good

Sensitives - Nina Kiriki Hoffman: A kid can see the “stories” of pennies when he puts them on his tongue. So-So

Fire and Rain - Janet Pack: A meteorologist’s mental state can cause thunderstorms (the angrier, the more severe). So it’s not good that he’s got a colleague problem at work. Can a blind date prevent a storm? Good

Trust - Kristine Kathryn Rusch: A man has the ability to form bonds with animals (mostly dogs). So-So

Truth - Michelle West: Callie can hear thoughts, and her family’s thoughts caused her to run away from home & live on the street. A fellow street dweller explains to her that she’s not seeing (or hearing) the whole picture. So-So

Overall opinion: A fair collection of stories. With the exception of David Bischoff's contribution, all were serious & solid stories. There are a couple, while solid, that were dull or downright bad. Overall, a book worthy of 4 stars.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tend to seek out short story anthologies with a Shadowrun or Cyberpunk vibe. I had found this book when I was taking my first vacation in a while up in Colorado. Yes, rather than visit mountains and other picturesque locations, I go to bookstores, particularly used ones...well at least at night I do. Anyway, while the subject matter was Mutants clearly the cover spoke to me on the SR/Cyberpunk level and for the price I got it for, I said why not.

The Mutant Files is an interesting collection as the stories range in time periods. Most are from the present but some seem suited for the past and others are certainly the future. Also, those readers who might be expecting a X-Men take on mutants need not apply. Most of the mutant powers are subtle and speak to the society at large not being able to accept them. Heck, even a few of the stories I'm not sure I would classify as mutant stories. One is just a ghost story, plain and simple.

The quality of the stories as with any anthology does vary quite a bit. They range from quite boring to pretty spectacular. A couple of them in fact which I will mention I wish were available elsewhere in an author anthology or a hardback perhaps. The quality also gets better the further you go in which is odd since most some people will read the first couple of stories and then decide if they want to continue. And I can see a lot of people giving up on this anthology before they even get to the good stuff.

Individually,
Freak by Charles De Lint 4/5, Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice by Tanya Huff 3/5, The Great Deep by Sophie Masson 2/5, Paint Box by Lisanne Norman 2/5, The Killing of Bad Bull by Alan Dean Foster 3/5, In the Dark Valley by Brandon Dubois 2/5, Behind His Gates of Gold by Karen Haber 2/5, Interview with a Mutant by Janet Berliner 3/5, Lucky Guesses by Marc Bilgrey 4/5, Mutant Mother from Hell (Fizz Smith Story) by David Bischoff 3/5, Family by Fiona Patton 2/5, Rite of Passage by Jody Lynn Nye 5/5, Sensitivities by Nina Kiriki Hoffman 4/5, Fire & Rain by Janet Pack 5/5, Trust by Kristine Kathryn Rusch 4/5, and Truth By Michelle West 4/5.

As you can see, very back loaded which is something of an odd thing to say but completely true here. Jody Lynn Nye and Janet Pack's stories are brilliant, fun and moving at the same time. Where as stories by Brandon Dubois, Karen Haber or Fiona Patton are certainly well written but not the kind of entertainment I was expecting from this anthology. I'm not sure this anthology gets a full recommendation from me and I completely understand if the reader wants to skip around but it is an interesting take on those with special abilities and how they interact with a society that doesn't understand them. Enjoy.

[Amélie · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Truth" by Michelle West is about a girl who can hear people's thoughts, which causes her to run away from her family and live in the streets.

[Susan]

Freak • [Newford] • shortstory by Charles de Lint
♦ "Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice" by Tanya Huff collected in Relative Magic reread 3/31/2015
The Great Deep • shortstory by Sophie Masson
Paint Box • novelette by Lisanne Norman
The Killing of Bad Bull • shortstory by Alan Dean Foster
In the Dark Valley • novelette by Brendan DuBois
Behind His Gates of Gold • novelette by Karen Haber
Interview with a Mutant • shortstory by Janet Berliner
Lucky Guesses • shortstory by Marc Bilgrey
Mutant Mother from Hell: A "Fizz Smith" Story • shortstory by David Bischoff
Family • [Marysburgh County] • novelette by Fiona Patton
Rite of Passage • novelette by Jody Lynn Nye
Sensitives • shortstory by Nina Kiriki Hoffman
Fire and Rain • shortstory by Janet Pack
Trust • shortstory by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Truth • novelette by Michelle West

[Saul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because it contained a short story by David Bischoff. "Mutant Mother From Hell" was interesting. It taught me how the ending of a story can be something utterly bizarre and crazy.