While you’re reading this, I’ll be living it up at the BOUCHERCON in Albany. In honor of Anthony Boucher, I thought I’d feature one of his best collections: The Compleat Boucher. Although Anthony Boucher was better known for his wonderful reviews, Boucher was also a talented writer. This collection brings together all of Boucher’s science fiction and fantasy stories. There are plenty of delights here. If you haven’t read these clever stories, copies of The Compleat Boucher can be had online for a pittance.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Editor’s Introduction (James A. Mann )
The Quest for Saint Aquin
The Compleat Werewolf
Elsewhen
The Pink Caterpillar
The Chronokinesis of Jonathan Hull
Gandolphus
Sriberdegibit
The Ambassadors
QUR
Robinc
Nine-Finger Jack
Barrier
Pelagic Spark
The Other Inauguration
One-Way Trip
Man’s Reach
Mr. Lupescu
Balaam
The Anomaly of the Empty Man
The Ghost of Me
Snulbug
Sanctuary
Transfer Point
Conquest
The First
The Greatest Tertian
Expedition
The Public Eye
The Secret of the House
The Scrawny One
Star Bride
The Way I Heard It
The Star Dummy
Review Copy
A Kind of Madness
Nellthu
Rappaccini’s Other Daughter
Khartoum
A Shape in Time
A Summer’s Cloud
The Tenderizers
They Bite
The Model of a Science Fiction Editor
We Print the Truth
Mary Celestial (co-authored by Miriam Allen De Ford)
Recipe for Curry De Luxe
I remember reading and enjoying this one some years ago, George. Boucher was as incisive a writer as he was as an editor and reviewer.
I’ve always wanted to read this one. Sounds as worthwhile as I’d thought.
Hope you and Diane are having fun.
Jerry, NESFA does a great job with their collections. THE COMPLEAT BOUCHER is a terrific book that few people seem to know about.
Jeff, we couldn’t get coverage for Diane’s 93-year-old mother so I’m flying solo in Albany. Woo hop!
I’ve got THE COMPLEAT WEREWOLF collection but not this one – thanks George, a great selection!
Sergio, if you’re a Boucher fan, this is the collection to read. Copies are available online at low prices.
Very appropriate choice, George! Off to see if I can see a copy. (And have a great time in Albany!)
He wrote more shorts than I thought. I only know his mystery and thriller tales, not so much his SF. “Mr. Lupescu” is one of my favorite Boucher short stories. I adapted it for the stage several years ago. It requires the use of some macabre puppets and for that reason it still remains unproduced. Too expensive to make them I was told. But I’m not giving up. I’ll get it on stage some day. It’s a nasty little story reminiscent of John Collier and Saki and perfect for an evening of Halloween stories.
BV, BOUCHERCON is great. Wish you were here to enjoy the fun! And all the free books!
John, you’re right about Boucher’s short stories being in the same camp as John Collier and Saki. Great place to be!
I have that one. I think I’ve read about half of it (so far…).
Have fun at Bouchercon. I’m chartreuse with envy.