The stories in Kelly Link's latest anthology, Pretty Monsters (Viking, 2008), are brilliantly written, with turns of phrase that delighted me. They have great, memorable characters. Many are examples of fabulous, intricate, world-building. Several were creepy. Several I loved. And the book itself is a thing of beauty, with each story introduced by a black and white illustration by Shaun Tan.So why did I find reading this anthology a little vexing?
Because I fell really hard for the second story, "The Wizards of Perfil," and even though it was long for a story (50 pages), I wanted so badly for it to be 300 or so, and every other story that followed wasn't those missing 250 pages.
Although it helped that the one that came next, "Magic for Beginners," is an utter joy.
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I also LOVED that story and wanted to know more. Maybe one day she'll go back there. . . who knows?
ReplyDeleteHAH! Oh, you and me, both. I really wanted that one to go ON!!
ReplyDeleteObviously great minds think alike!
ReplyDeleteI really liked this anthology, and that story! "Magic for Beginners" was also one I enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteI was actually not a fan or "Wizards . . ." I was not into it at all. I was glad when it was over, because the rest of her stories are so magical and perplexing and funny and oddly endearing.
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