This particular author is right up there with Isaac Asimov and Philip K. Dick in terms of revolutionizing the genre. I am sure he is tired of being compared to these legends, so I will freely admit that when I think of Wolfe, I think of Bill Watterson. That last one caught you off guard, didn’t it? Why would I say that the creator of Calvin and Hobbes is on the same level of pure awesome as Wolfe? Both writers build innovative worlds of beauty and imagination and then cram them with so many references to history, literature, philosophy, and art that every time you read their work you are awed, inspired, and humbled with the reminder that you, dear reader, are a mere Muggle. Each contributor in this volume starts out by telling the story of how they met Gene and his wife Rosemary, how they first encountered his writing, and the impact he had on that person’s career. We are talking friendships that span decades here. Wolfe is the type of guy who will go to a convention to give a speech on writing and publishing in the sci/fi genre, but not before asking if there are other published writers in the audience, and then inviting them to join him on stage. Seriously. Have you ever met an established author? Dear lord they can have a whole lot of ego attached to them. But not Wolfe. Final consensus: I am not worthy of the subtle magic Gene Wolfe has inspired in these terrific writers! Is there anything our technology can’t do these days? Imagine the refrigerator of the future; one that can cook for you, clean for you, find you dates, love and dote on you. A Lunar Labyrinth by Neil Gaiman Lunatics, labyrinths, and his lyrical use of alliteration. Also werewolves and the lingering scent of rosemary. The Island of the Death Doctor by Joe Haldeman For those of us who have always wanted to be marooned on a desert island with Severian and Termenus Est. On one hand a war of wizards, on the other hand another tribute to the subtle spell that Rosemary Wolfe weaved over writers in the sci/fi community. Ashes by Steven Savile Bedding by David Drake You know, if you are going to knock up the local farmer’s daughter, you might want to make sure that the family doesn’t have any guns lying around. I’m just sayin’. For those of us who have always wanted to get trapped in a book; another perspective to consider. The Island of Time by Jack Dann The She-Wolf’s Hidden Grim by Michael Swanwick Full disclosure: Swanwick is my all-time favorite author and it is no surprise that his contribution to this collection is the best story in the book. My complete and utter bias notwithstanding. Also, I have recently discovered that his lives in Philadelphia. I work in Philadelphia. Do I smell a restraining order in my future? Could be! An old fashioned genre throwback complete with violence, magic, and maggot people. Tourist Trap by Mike Resnick and Barry Malzberg Epistoleros by Aaron Allston Wonderfully executed old-timey mystery. Complete with alternate history and set in the Wild West. Full disclosure: I have never cared for Todd McCaffrey’s writing style and this was not a story that changed my opinion. Also, purple unicorns (which is not the metaphor it sounds like). Tunes from Limbo, But I Digress by Judi Rohrig In the Shadow of the Gate by William C. Dietz Considers what might have happened to Severian between The Shadow of the Torturer and The Claw of the Concilitator. Reflections on identity and memory as inspired by Latro. The Dreams of the Sea by Jody Lynn Nye The Log by David Brin Gives some great writing advice for mastering narrative, “by retyping great passages by Gene Wolfe.” It is only fitting that the master himself should bookend this collection. He imagines an ending with travelers adrift in time and space, trying to put memory in context. Edited by J.E. Mooney and Bill Fawcett Published by Tor, 2013 Den of Geek Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for all news updates related to the world of geek. And Google+, if that’s your thing!
