Synopses & Reviews
"The joy of fiction is the joy of the imagination. . . ."
The best stories pull readers in and keep them turning the pages, eager to discover moreto find the answer to the question: "And then what happened?" The true hallmark of great literature is great imagination, and as Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio prove with this outstanding collection, when it comes to great fiction, all genres are equal.
Stories is a groundbreaking anthology that reinvigorates, expands, and redefines the limits of imaginative fiction and affords some of the best writers in the worldfrom Peter Straub and Chuck Palahniuk to Roddy Doyle and Diana Wynne Jones, Stewart O'Nan and Joyce Carol Oates to Walter Mosley and Jodi Picoultthe opportunity to work together, defend their craft, and realign misconceptions. Gaiman, a literary magician whose acclaimed work defies easy categorization and transcends all boundaries, and "master anthologist" (Booklist) Sarrantonio personally invited, read, and selected all the stories in this collection, and their standard for this "new literature of the imagination" is high. "We wanted to read stories that used a lightning-flash of magic as a way of showing us something we have already seen a thousand times as if we have never seen it at all."
Joe Hill boldly aligns theme and form in his disturbing tale of a man's descent into evil in "Devil on the Staircase." In "Catch and Release," Lawrence Block tells of a seasoned fisherman with a talent for catching a bite of another sort. Carolyn Parkhurst adds a dark twist to sibling rivalry in "Unwell." Joanne Harris weaves a tale of ancient gods in modern New York in "Wildfire in Manhattan." Vengeance is the heart of Richard Adams's "The Knife." Jeffery Deaver introduces a dedicated psychologist whose mission in life is to save people in "The Therapist." A chilling punishment befitting an unspeakable crime is at the dark heart of Neil Gaiman's novelette "The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains."
As it transforms your view of the world, this brilliant and visionary volumesure to become a classicwill ignite a new appreciation for the limitless realm of exceptional fiction.
Review
“An ambitious anthology with a pleasing mix of modes and moods. Stories has a little something for everyone who appreciates the possibilities of short fiction.” San Francisco Chronicle
Review
“These stories are part of what Gaiman and Sarrantonio call “a new literature of the imagination,” a rewardingly imprecise theme that guarantees that no matter how many times you dip into this tomish treasure chest, there will always be something surprising waiting for you inside.” www.veryshortlist.com on STORIES
Review
“If you cant find something to like from [Stories] roster, you really need a vacation.” St. Petersburg Times
Review
“A sometimes creepy, dark and dreamlike two thumbs up.” Time Out New York
Review
“Stories is the perfect dark counterbalance to the smells of suntan lotion and barbecue smoke waiting for you this summer.” Los Angeles Times
Synopsis
This astonishing collection of all-new tales by some of the most acclaimed writers at work today is called, simply, Stories. Edited by Neil Gaiman (Sandman, The Graveyard Book, Anansi Boys, Coraline) and Al Sarrantonio (award-winning author of forty books and editor of numerous collections),
Stories presents never before published short works from a veritable Who s Who of contemporary literature breathtaking inventions from the likes of Lawrence Block, Roddy Doyle, Joanne Harris, Joe Hill, Walter Mosley, Joyce Carol Oates, Stewart O Nan, Chuck Palahniuk, Carolyn Parkhurst, Jodi Picoult, Peter Straub and, of course, the inimitable Neil Gaiman himself.
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Synopsis
The best stories pull readers in and keep them turning the pages, eager to find the answer to the question, “And then what happened?”
Edited by Neil Gaiman, a literary magician whose acclaimed work defies easy categorization and transcends all boundaries, and “master anthologist” (Booklist) Al Sarrantonio, Stories is a groundbreaking collection that reinvigorates and expands the boundaries of imaginative fiction, affording some of the best writers in the world—from Peter Straub and Chuck Palahniuk to Roddy Doyle and Diana Wynne Jones, Stewart ONan and Joyce Carol Oates to Walter Mosley, Jodi Picoult, the volumes editors, and others—the opportunity to work together, defend their craft, and realign misconceptions.
A brilliant and visionary compendium of diverse tales, Stories will transform your view of the world and ignite a new appreciation for the limitless realm of exceptional fiction.
Synopsis
This astonishing collection of all-new tales by some of the most acclaimed writers at work today is called, simply, Stories. Edited by Neil Gaiman (Sandman, The Graveyard Book, Anansi Boys, Coraline) and Al Sarrantonio (award-winning author of forty books and editor of numerous collections), Stories presents never before published short works from a veritable Whos Who of contemporary literature—breathtaking inventions from the likes of Lawrence Block, Roddy Doyle, Joanne Harris, Joe Hill, Walter Mosley, Joyce Carol Oates, Stewart ONan, Chuck Palahniuk, Carolyn Parkhurst, Jodi Picoult, Peter Straub…and, of course, the inimitable Neil Gaiman himself.
About the Author
Neil Gaiman is a
New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books for adults and children, including the novels
Neverwhere,
Stardust,
American Gods,
Anansi Boys,
Coraline, and
The Graveyard Book; the Sandman series of graphic novels; and
Make Good Art, the text of a commencement speech he delivered at Philadelphias University of the Arts.
He is the recipient of numerous literary honors, including the Locus and Hugo Awards and the Newbery and Carnegie Medals. 1.8 million people follow him on Twitter.
Born and raised in England, Neil Gaiman now lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with his wife, the rock star Amanda Palmer.
Al Sarrantonio is an acclaimed author, and the editor of anthologies such as 999: New Stories of Horror and Suspense and Flights: Extreme Visions of Fantasy. He lives in Newburgh, New York.