New Book Column! Every week I’ll sample the goods and spit out the juiciest pieces of fiction for you—heavy on flavor, light on fat. Ready for your first course?
Stranger Things Happen—Kelly Link (Small Beer Press, 2001)
“…“Give me a kiss,” Bae says. The wind whips his words back at you. You can almost see the shape of them hanging in the heavy air.
“I’m not really a reindeer,” he says. “I’m an enchanted prince.”
You politely decline, pointing out that you haven’t known him that long, and besides, for traveling purposes, a reindeer is better than a prince.”
—“Travels With the Snow Queen”
Basic ingredients: a quirky fairy tale-esque collection of short stories with a killer cover.
“Fairy tale-esque?” you say, eyebrow raised at the thought of morally slathered children’s’ stories and happily ever after endings. Well, yes, fairy tale-esque, dashed with a bit of sass, swearing and surrealist acceptance. Let me explain: while the action and images are predominantly unbelievable, the stories are told in such a casual, nonchalant fashion that the characters and subjects manage to come off straightforward and—dare I say, normal?
The stories are rooted in a mixed tradition of Brother’s Grimm, Disney, and Kafka—only without roots, floating and darting about. This works incredibly well for many of the stories, but leaves a few lacking and the reader grasping for more. Think: “whaaa?” with a slack-jawed expression. But overall, an entirely enjoyable and worthwhile read.
“Travels With the Snow Queen” and “Shoe and Marriage”—which contains its own short story collection within the story—were the most tenderly prepared and savory slices. On the other end of the spectrum “Survivor’s Ball, or, The Donner Party” set up an increasingly eerie scene, which put me in the mood for a deliciously disturbing end (think A Rose for Emily), but just ended up landing somewhere between confusing and blah.
One of the best qualities in a collection of short stories is the malleability in the way you read it—all the way through, front to back, sorting by title, a story a week. Whatever way you choose to chew it, the collection and Link grow on you as you read. I think you’ll find yourself willing to accept whatever situation she places you in—even if it’s trying to keep a naked hairy ghost from escaping into a cello.
If you liked what you read above you can “Take a Look Inside” Stranger Things Happen on Amazon.com:
Or preview it on google books
till next week: read harder and stronger and possibly deeper than ever.<
The column has potential, but that title has to go.
August 28, 2008 at 10:26 amDon’t try to truncate the truly triumphant title, Michael.
August 28, 2008 at 10:43 amI’m alliterate. *chuckle*
August 28, 2008 at 10:45 amalliteration rules.
August 28, 2008 at 10:59 amAlliteration is what Fox news uses to lure viewers. It sucks.
August 28, 2008 at 11:01 amthat is not true, michael. if it were then maybe i’d watch it, but i don’t.
August 28, 2008 at 11:06 amSoap Opera Shocker (about an explosion on the set of a soap opera)
Dolphin In Danger (some stranded dolphins)
Movie Mixup (DVD rental customers getting a porno movie instead of Finding Nemo)
Dealing with Demons: (a man trying to free his body and mind of evil spirits)
Predator on your Property: (about coyotes moving into the cities)
Hit by Hate: (about the New Bedford gay bar shooting)
Murder Mystery: (about the Hopkington murder now, but pretty much all purpose)
These aren’t from Fox, but are from a station in Boston that someone was making fun of because alliteration sucks.
I will argue this point to the death. Just give up now.
August 28, 2008 at 11:11 ammad mike is michael’s moniker
August 28, 2008 at 11:15 amwhat if i want to be both a reindeer and an enchanted prince?
August 28, 2008 at 11:21 amSounds good…great review
September 4, 2008 at 9:25 pm
I can only hope for this much alliteration each and every week. Thank you.
August 28, 2008 at 10:25 am