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davidlutz's review against another edition
3.0
Very enjoyable book. The first two stories "The Bible Repairman" and "A Soul in a Bottle" were great. "The Hour of Babel" was interesting and thought provoking. I found "Parallel Lines" to also be interesting. The final two stories in this collection didn't really do much for me
jimmypat's review against another edition
2.0
A rather weak collection of stories. Powers is definitiely a better novelist, than short story writer. The book also ends with the weakest of the stories, "A Time to Cast Away Stones", which is a postscript to his worst novel ("Stress of Her Regard"). Disappointing.
pine_wulf's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 overall.
This is my first Tim Powers and overall they're pretty good. I only read 5/6 of them and 4 of those dealt with souls after death/ghosts (maybe even all 5, but I was lost on that one), so there is definitely a bit of a theme going on. Also a lot of sacrificing for the sake of the dead. Whether it happens or just contemplated, it's still a significant part of the stories I read. I also don't recommend reading them close together because the protagonists start to feel a bit same-y. Lonely, grieving, wondering if there is anything left for them here on this plane. I will definitely try one of Powers' novels soon, but after a break.
The Bible Repairman: (3/5) About ghosts and selling parts of the soul. The way he "repaired" Bibles was an interesting idea, but not really integral to what happens, I think. Just window dressing to how the world worked. Overall I liked it. But I just started to really get into the world when it ended. I also feel like something went over my head at the end.
Soul in a Bottle: (4/5) A man meets a very intriguing girl. Turns out she's dead. Really good. I wasn't expecting the time travel element, but it works.
The Hour of Babel: (2/5) This one is a miss for me. It just made too little sense. Something about an angel? inhabiting a bar at a specific point in time?
Parallel Lines: (3.5/5) About an old lady and her twin's ghost. They don't like each other. I liked the old lady's reaction when she figures out her dead sister's plan. I do wish it was fleshed out a bit more, but enough clues are given to get a general idea about the past.
A Journey of Only Two Paces: (4/5) Starts off normal enough, with the guy trying to execute a friend(?)'s will and then turns increasingly creepy. And there's cats! This one pulled me in and made me really want to see how it was going to turn out.
A Time to Cast Away Stones: Not read. It's supposed to be a sequel to The Stress of Her Regard, which, as it turns out, I got in the same Humble Bundle as this book. Also turns out I have a different Tim Powers novel on my kindle which will likely be read first. Since I don't actually planning on reading The Stress of Her Regard anytime soon, I can only hope I'll remember to come back and read this story when that happens.
This is my first Tim Powers and overall they're pretty good. I only read 5/6 of them and 4 of those dealt with souls after death/ghosts (maybe even all 5, but I was lost on that one), so there is definitely a bit of a theme going on. Also a lot of sacrificing for the sake of the dead. Whether it happens or just contemplated, it's still a significant part of the stories I read. I also don't recommend reading them close together because the protagonists start to feel a bit same-y. Lonely, grieving, wondering if there is anything left for them here on this plane. I will definitely try one of Powers' novels soon, but after a break.
The Bible Repairman: (3/5) About ghosts and selling parts of the soul. The way he "repaired" Bibles was an interesting idea, but not really integral to what happens, I think. Just window dressing to how the world worked. Overall I liked it. But I just started to really get into the world when it ended. I also feel like something went over my head at the end.
Soul in a Bottle: (4/5) A man meets a very intriguing girl. Turns out she's dead. Really good. I wasn't expecting the time travel element, but it works.
The Hour of Babel: (2/5) This one is a miss for me. It just made too little sense. Something about an angel? inhabiting a bar at a specific point in time?
Parallel Lines: (3.5/5) About an old lady and her twin's ghost. They don't like each other. I liked the old lady's reaction when she figures out her dead sister's plan. I do wish it was fleshed out a bit more, but enough clues are given to get a general idea about the past.
A Journey of Only Two Paces: (4/5) Starts off normal enough, with the guy trying to execute a friend(?)'s will and then turns increasingly creepy. And there's cats! This one pulled me in and made me really want to see how it was going to turn out.
A Time to Cast Away Stones: Not read. It's supposed to be a sequel to The Stress of Her Regard, which, as it turns out, I got in the same Humble Bundle as this book. Also turns out I have a different Tim Powers novel on my kindle which will likely be read first. Since I don't actually planning on reading The Stress of Her Regard anytime soon, I can only hope I'll remember to come back and read this story when that happens.
jonmhansen's review against another edition
4.0
Good stories. I especially liked the conceit of the title story.
david_agranoff's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting short story collection of highly literate surrealist science fiction. Full review coming.
valhecka's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first Powers I've read - I'll go back for more.
tregina's review against another edition
4.0
I really loved this. My single overwhelming thought, other than my enjoyment, was that his brain works like my brain works. These are how I think too.
aomdoa's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Just a fun quick read with some stories from a directed perspective.
librarianmage's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
captainjaq's review against another edition
4.0
There's something wonderfully unique and strange about the imagination of Tim Powers. This collection of stories is not the best introduction to it, however good they might be. Th final story of the book is a companion piece to Powers' novels The Stress of Her Regard and Hide Me Upon The Graves dealing with the Nephalim, romantic poets and non-traditional vampires. It was originally written as a bonus for a limited edition of Regard and really needs a working knowledge of that book to be fully appreciated.
The other stories tend to focus on ghosts, siblings and the dead, a favorite haunt of Powers. The title story is a cautionary tale of what it means to give up your soul in a world where having a soul is a valuable thing. It also has a nice element of contextual wordplay and ruminations on how language can control thought (and ultimately, reality). Not to mention the obvious religious implications. As for the rest, "A Journey of Two Paces" is a creepy little tale of immortality and cats while "The Hour of Babel" looks at time travel with an eye to the downsides and the literal repercussions. "Parallel Lines" covers the effects of sublimating yourself for a twin sibling and how you re-establish your own identity after her death.
My favorite story, though, is "A Soul in a Bottle," a tidy piece which combines all of it - sisters and time travel and ghosts. It's a Powers trifecta and for me, works on every level. Not to mention he adds in some classic Hollywood Boulevard situations and a few nice sonnets and you have a great read for a rainy afternoon.
All in all, the book is a nice set and if you're already a Powers' fan, a way to quench a literary thirst between novels. Additionally, if you're interested in process, Powers adds a little post script to each story to give a little insight into the origination and writing of each. Well worth the ride.
The other stories tend to focus on ghosts, siblings and the dead, a favorite haunt of Powers. The title story is a cautionary tale of what it means to give up your soul in a world where having a soul is a valuable thing. It also has a nice element of contextual wordplay and ruminations on how language can control thought (and ultimately, reality). Not to mention the obvious religious implications. As for the rest, "A Journey of Two Paces" is a creepy little tale of immortality and cats while "The Hour of Babel" looks at time travel with an eye to the downsides and the literal repercussions. "Parallel Lines" covers the effects of sublimating yourself for a twin sibling and how you re-establish your own identity after her death.
My favorite story, though, is "A Soul in a Bottle," a tidy piece which combines all of it - sisters and time travel and ghosts. It's a Powers trifecta and for me, works on every level. Not to mention he adds in some classic Hollywood Boulevard situations and a few nice sonnets and you have a great read for a rainy afternoon.
All in all, the book is a nice set and if you're already a Powers' fan, a way to quench a literary thirst between novels. Additionally, if you're interested in process, Powers adds a little post script to each story to give a little insight into the origination and writing of each. Well worth the ride.