I’m a fan of wizards from Merlin to Harry Dresden to some of the magical folks in this anthology. “The Witch’s Headstone” by Neil Gaiman is my favorite story in Wizards. A young boy who doesn’t realize the powers he possesses attempts to help the ghost of a witch…with startling results. Neil Gaiman is a master of this type of story.
I also liked Patricia A. McKillip’s “Naming Day” where a young girl, on the cusp of her magic education, encounters some weird difficulties. Very clever!
“Stonefather” is part of Orson Scott Card’s Mithermages series where a young boy discovers his true nature. I’ve read a lot of Card’s work, but not the Mithermages series so now I’ll have track down those books.
Wizards offers a variety of stories for just about every reader interest. GRADE: B+
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
PREFACE by Jack Dana and Gardner Dozois — ix
- “The Witch’s Headstone” by Neil Gaiman — 1
- “Holly and Iron” by Garth Nix — 25
- “Color Vision” by Mary Rosenblum — 58
- “The Ruby Incomparable” by Kage Baker — 83
- “A Fowl Tale” by Eoin Colfer — 99
- “Slipping Sideways Through Eternity” by Jane Yolen — 105
- “The Stranger’s Hands” by Tad Williams — 119
- “Naming Day” by Patricia A. McKillip — 139
- “Winter’s Wife” by Elizabeth Hand — 153
- “A Diorama of the Infernal Regions, or The Devil’s Ninth Question” by Andy Duncan — 187
- “Barrens Dance” by Peter S. Beagle — 219
- “Stone Man” by Nancy Kress — 234
- “The Manticore Spell” by Jeffrey Ford — 284
- “Zinder” by Tanith Lee — 263
- “Billy and the Wizard“‘ by Terry Bisson — 277
- “The Magikkers” by Terry Dowling — 284
- “The Magic Animal” by Gene Wolfe — 299
- “Stonefather” by Orson Scott Card — 326
I’m sure I have read a few of these over the years. A lot of favorite writers here-Andy Duncan, Gene Wolfe, Jeffrey Ford, Tanith Lee, Terry Bisson, Terry Dowling. And Gaiman who’s short fiction I prefer over his novels. The only writer here I don’t care for is Card, but that is mainly due to his politics. I am surprised nothing by Jack Vance.
Steve, Jack Vance was 90 years old in 2007 when WIZARDS was published. His writing career was just about over.
I didn’t see the never before published stories on the cover. I was thinking they were reprints. That is what I get for posting at two o’clock in the morning.
Steve, Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois specialized in anthologies featuring original material. I’m head for bed at 10 P.M.
Not my usual type stories, but I have read and enjoyed Gaiman and Ford at least.
Jeff, I’m always looking for amusement during this pandemic and this anthology has been on my shelves for years so it seemed like time to read it.
I am getting so I recognize the names even if not the stories.
Patti, the Usual Suspects write for these Fantasy anthologies.
My 16-year-old self who devoured Howard, Lovecraft, Smith, Moore, Wellman, and the other old masters would be surprised that I’ve read nothing by most of the writers in this collection. Once fantasy novels began to get infested with elves and started growing to the size of doorstops, I pretty much bailed out.
Fred, I agree with you on those Big Fat Fantasy Novels. That’s why this collection of short stories is so appealing to me!
This looks very good and I love the cover. I see some authors there I would like to try.
Tracy, I think you would like Patricia McKillip’s work so that might be a good place to start.
I’m overwhelmed with books just now – see this morning’s post – so no Wizards for me.
Rick, I know that overwhelmed feeling. I’ve kept WIZARDS waiting for years until I finally found time to read it.
The McKillips, including Pat, were like a second family to my ex-wife, so I met them all. I read a couple of her fantasy stories many years ago but never developed a taste for the genre.
Bob, some signed McKillips would be nice to own!