Review-a-palooza!
Nov. 12th, 2008 07:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
martinlivingsWow, reviews are like buses... you wait and wait, then suddenly three come at once!
"Piggies" in Midnight Echo:
Special mention of "Piggies" by Martin Livings for a gruesome final story on our reading list. Livings doesn’t explain anything, it simply happens and we are there at the dinner table during proceedings. That one will stick with you long after you have put "Midnight Echo" aside. Stephen King covered similar ground, but King is a pussy in comparison to the dark notions of Livings story.
"Skinsongs" in 2012:
'Skinsongs' is really interesting and quite unique. In this 2012, people's skins can be read like music, and one star doesn't want to be a one hit wonder. While the rest of the anthology is tied up with the utter condemnation of humanity's excessive greed over resources, that this story is not focused on water or oil is a comfortable and interesting relief from the more serious nature's of the other stories.
"The Dead Priest's Tale" in Canterbury 2100:
Martin Livings’ “The Dead Priest’s Tale” is one of my favourites in the whole anthology; maybe I’m just a sucker for historical stuff (when it’s done well). Thomas is born to die, the first line informs the reader (‘spoiler!’, I say). He grows up clever, and devoted to God; becomes a priest. Life goes on, until he is summoned to Canterbury, which is when things get weird for him, and interesting for the reader. This story worked for me because it is very clearly situated in 2109 (or the years just prior); it reveals a bit more about the world and how people interact in it; and, except for one moment near the end (for me), the characters and actions rang true. Can’t ask for much more than that.
Now all I'm waiting for is the first review of Voices. :)
"Piggies" in Midnight Echo:
Special mention of "Piggies" by Martin Livings for a gruesome final story on our reading list. Livings doesn’t explain anything, it simply happens and we are there at the dinner table during proceedings. That one will stick with you long after you have put "Midnight Echo" aside. Stephen King covered similar ground, but King is a pussy in comparison to the dark notions of Livings story.
"Skinsongs" in 2012:
'Skinsongs' is really interesting and quite unique. In this 2012, people's skins can be read like music, and one star doesn't want to be a one hit wonder. While the rest of the anthology is tied up with the utter condemnation of humanity's excessive greed over resources, that this story is not focused on water or oil is a comfortable and interesting relief from the more serious nature's of the other stories.
"The Dead Priest's Tale" in Canterbury 2100:
Martin Livings’ “The Dead Priest’s Tale” is one of my favourites in the whole anthology; maybe I’m just a sucker for historical stuff (when it’s done well). Thomas is born to die, the first line informs the reader (‘spoiler!’, I say). He grows up clever, and devoted to God; becomes a priest. Life goes on, until he is summoned to Canterbury, which is when things get weird for him, and interesting for the reader. This story worked for me because it is very clearly situated in 2109 (or the years just prior); it reveals a bit more about the world and how people interact in it; and, except for one moment near the end (for me), the characters and actions rang true. Can’t ask for much more than that.
Now all I'm waiting for is the first review of Voices. :)
