ISBN: 0-7862-5338-X Order from: Amazon.com
A set of mostly fantasy stories, this collection shows appealing characters coping with sometimes apalling circumstances, and despite the darker aspects, preserves an uplifting faith in human nature.
Reviewed by David on August 12, 2003
Genre: Fantasy
Synopsis: Nina Kiriki Hoffman is adept at portraying the natural which seamlessly sways into something really strange, while retaining the charm of warmth. Wheather writing about forgotten pagan gods in "Skeleton Key", or an actuary in "Entertaining Possibilities", Hoffman never fails to create wonder while keeping one's sympathy for the main character.
Most pieces combine the dark, haunting quality while showing a streak of human decency. Hoffman keeps the faith without being preachy.
Some stories are clearly the works of "short story art": beautiful plots built on a wonderful twist, but clearly not intended to continue. Some, like "Entertaining Possibilites" and "Haunted Humans" while complete in themselves, could easily be a part of a novel-length continuum. The characters are captivating enough to wish the implied longer works to appear.
Final note: most stories appeared previously in other publications, but have never been collected together. Two of them have been Nebula nominees.
Includes: Introduction; The Skeleton Key; Objects of Desire; Unleashed; Mint Condition; Night Life; Entertaining Possibilities; Toobychubbies; Haunted Humans; Egg Shells
Overall: 6; Characters: 5.5; Style: 7; Originality: 7;
Copyright date 2003, Five Star, April 2003, Cloth, 224 pages
ISBN: 0-7862-5338-X Order from: Amazon.com