Status Updates From The World Fantasy Awards, V...

Belsen Express (1975) Fritz Leiber
Glad to see that the desire to see racists who feign apathy to human suffering suffer in the manner of those same people hasn’t changed since the 70s.

Smoke Ghost (1942) Fritz Leiber
I imagine people in the 40s felt the same way reading this as I feel when someone mentions an iPhone or TikTok in modern fiction. The themes are relevant now as they were then.

The October Game (1948) Ray Bradbury
Can you imagine having a husband?
Not one unnecessary word. Love this one.

Jerusalem’s Lot (1978) Stephen King
Surprisingly not about vampires like Salem’s Lot.
I’ll give him this one, the climax is very cool. I am always a fan of the found manuscript trope, especially when the end isn’t annoyingly artsy and vague.

Also so far both these stories have been horror which I did not expect.

The Whimper of Whipped Dogs (1973) by my problematic fave, notorious piece of shit Harlan Ellison. I love a Kitty Genovese inspired story even though the whole thing was made up and the bystander effect is a myth. Extra distressing to read on a crowded subway. 10/10.

Note to self, find out of Ray from Girls was named after Ray from this story bc that would make a lot of sense.