The Green Arches by Joan Aiken

It’s highly subjective whether a story feels magical, as opposed to merely containing magic. This story succeeds at both, and Continue reading →

Two Sadnesses by George Alec Effinger

This comprises two thematically similar stories: one with a thinly disguised version of Winnie the Pooh (here called ‘The Bear’), Continue reading →

Flowers of Edo by Bruce Sterling

I love how quickly Sterling conjures up an atmosphere of nineteenth-century Japan; you feel like you’re standing in the streets Continue reading →

The Immortal by Jorge Luis Borges

I initially wanted to recommend this on the strength of Borges’ thoughts on immortality. I often find immortals dissatisfying in Continue reading →

MetaPhysics by Elizabeth M. Glover

A devil, Merchari, is walking around Manhattan looking for some sinners to tempt to fulfil his monthly quota. He tries Continue reading →

Capture, Courting and Copulation… by Carolyn Vakesh & Steve Vakesh

Out of all the books I own, the one most borrowed by my friends is Cecilia Tan’s anthology ‘Best Fantastic Continue reading →