Bears Discover Fire by Terry Bisson

The characters really sell this story. The protagonist in particular is quite charming: he’s ‘the old-fashioned one in the family Continue reading →

The Sheriff of Chayute by Theodore Sturgeon

Some stories are easier to recommend than others. High concept ones are the best, especially if the high concept is Continue reading →

Punishment Without Crime by Ray Bradbury

Sometimes it’s difficult to appreciate old classics. For example, I have trouble with Robert A. Heinlein’s ‘Orphans of the Sky.’ Continue reading →

Separations by Jean-Claude Dunyach

“They’re all love stories, you know,” the young man said. “They’re all dead.” His hand plays with a necklace circling Continue reading →

The Silver Key by H.P. Lovecraft

This is a pleasant surprise. When I first burned through the Lovecraft canon in my late teens his Dreamlands stuff Continue reading →

The Pickpocket’s Destiny by Rachel Pollack

This is arguably a fairy tale about someone becoming more self-confident about being a criminal. In a medieval land oppressed Continue reading →

The Chill Clutch of the Unseen by Kim Newman

In the quiet backwaters of Connecticut there is a small train station. And every day, as his father and his Continue reading →

Last Seen on September 10th by Mark Fass

Every death is a tragedy, especially the violent and unexpected. But the more famous an event is, the more the Continue reading →