Synopses & Reviews
Terminal baptism, erotic performance art, and voodoo economics with actual voodoo are just a few of the subjects that James Morrow tackles with humor and sharp criticism in this book of science fiction stories. Other outlandish tales include John Wayne battling cancer using a highly alternative therapy, a gene for integrity being harvested from the brain of an unwilling donor, and the landing of Christopher Columbus in modern-day Manhattan. Included are the Locus and Nebula Award-nominated novelette
Auspicious Eggs and several previously unpublished pieces.
Review
“The most provocative satiric voice in science fiction.” —Washington Post
Review
"The most provocative satiric voice in science fiction."
—Washington Post
Arguably SFs reigning master of satire, Morrow has already blessed the genre with two previous volumes of short fiction and the monumental Godhead trilogy, in which a deceased Jehovah literally falls to Earth. His latest collection demonstrates that his rapier wit has lost none of its edge as it encompasses twisted scenarios ranging from Martians invading Central Park to having the fates of other worlds rest upon the scores of American football games. In Auspicious Eggs, global warming forces the Catholic Church to enact rites of terminal baptism, in which the souls of infants deemed infertile are immediately sent heavenward. In a shorter tale, King Kong and Godzilla pay their respects to 9/11 victims. During the title story, a crazed genetic scientist kidnaps a hapless do-gooder and harvests his altruism genes. All the stories manifest Morrows penchant for exploring the dark underbelly of technological promise and extracting quirky moral conundrums. Morrows fans will revel, and first-time readers may find his grim humor making fans of them, too.”
Booklist
Morrows shorter tales possess...a keen sense of folly and morality, a witty inventiveness....”
SciFiction.com
Amply displays [Morrows] ability to juggle absurdity, tragedy, irony, and outrage....”
Locus
...darkly delightful satire.”
Cemetery Dance
Synopsis
Terminal baptism, erotic performance art, and voodoo economics with actual voodoo.
An integrity gene is harvested from the brain of an unwilling schoolteacher. Christopher Columbus lands in modern-day Manhattan. John Wayne seeks treatment from a cinematic oncologist. Sports fans save the universe every day.
The Cat's Pajamas is a provocative collection of satiric short fiction from Nebula and World Fantasy award-winning author James Morrow. Included is "Auspicious Eggs," in which ritual procreation and compulsory abortion are mandated by the Catholic Church. Two original pieces were written specifically for The Cat's Pajamas the play "Come Back, Dr. Sarcophagus," and the short story "Fucking Justice."
About the Author
James Morrow is the author of the World Fantasy Awardwinning
Towing Jehovah, the
New York Times Notable Book
Blameless in Abaddon, the Nebula Awardwinning
Bible Stories for Adults, and the Theodore Sturgeon Awardwinning
Shambling Towards Hiroshima. A master of satiric and the surreal, he has enjoyed comparison with Mark Twain, Kurt Vonnegut, and John Updike. He has a collection of Lionel trains and a rapidly growing library of DVDs of questionable taste.