Laertes’s Reviews > The Best of Michael Marshall Smith > Status Update

'Author of the Death'. Wow. Just wow. I'm awe-struck and laughing out loud at the same time. What a great concept - and more important: what an excellent execution! A gem. Especially for everyone who knows a bit about writing techniques.

The final sad and poetic twist of 'The Gist' caught me by surprise - as always with MMS. I effing love this book.

'Later' is dark, sad, poetic - and as deeply moving as it is unsettling.

'Not Waving' is a story that's loaded with symbolism. It's sad and beautiful - and also maddening because I can't identify with the narrator's final decision at all.

Wow. Of all the great stories in this collection, They Also Serve is perfect. Confined storytelling at its finest. Immediate identification with the protagonist. Increasing dread. A twist that pulls your feet away. I have no words. Wow.

'To Receive Is Better' has Kazuo Ishiguro's 'Never Let Me Go' written all over it. Brutal and sad. And not too unrealistic, if you ask me. The way we already treat our animal sisters and brothers - why not use human clones for spare parts?

'This Is Now' is a beautifully nostalgic - and scary - story about what it means to become old.

'The Man Who Drew Cats' is so beautiful and poetic - it should only be read aloud: 'Kids laughing is one of the best sounds there is. It's the kind of sound that makes the trees grow'.

'Dear Alison' is a very special kind of goodbye-letter.

What the... how does MMS manage to give the story unexpected twists over and over again? Or is it just me. 'The Motel Business' was a punch to the guts. Man, this collection ist great!