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jennykeery's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
jokoloyo's review
3.0
I have weakness, liking stories that occured at the same place/setting in the whole/most of the story (e.g. Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window, or Wuxia novel Happy Hero). So, when I learned that there is bar tales theme in fantasy/SF, I was excited.
This is my second fantasy/SF bar tall tales short-stories anthology. My first was [b:The Draco Tavern|100343|The Draco Tavern|Larry Niven|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1316729654s/100343.jpg|1098930]. I can't help myself comparing these two books, and with Draco Tavern (DT) as the reference, I must remind myself several times if I thought Draco is the more sophisticated one, that de Camp and Pratt wrote Tales From Gavagan's Bar (TFGB) stories decades before DT.
I have to admit that I pretty annoyed with some stories of TFGB that have open-ended, or unfinished plot. Only some stories I can consider as completed. This is my concern with this book.
On the other hand, every short story not only has fresh idea compared to previous story, but also has light funny hilarious storytelling. I couldn't predict what kind of story will unfold at the beginning, but I was confident the story would be fun.
Well, if you are looking for a short story with completed plot, this book could be 1 or 2 star for you.
This is my second fantasy/SF bar tall tales short-stories anthology. My first was [b:The Draco Tavern|100343|The Draco Tavern|Larry Niven|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1316729654s/100343.jpg|1098930]. I can't help myself comparing these two books, and with Draco Tavern (DT) as the reference, I must remind myself several times if I thought Draco is the more sophisticated one, that de Camp and Pratt wrote Tales From Gavagan's Bar (TFGB) stories decades before DT.
I have to admit that I pretty annoyed with some stories of TFGB that have open-ended, or unfinished plot. Only some stories I can consider as completed. This is my concern with this book.
On the other hand, every short story not only has fresh idea compared to previous story, but also has light funny hilarious storytelling. I couldn't predict what kind of story will unfold at the beginning, but I was confident the story would be fun.
Well, if you are looking for a short story with completed plot, this book could be 1 or 2 star for you.
kristick's review
4.0
Was in the mood for some tall tales, so am on a rereading spree. This one has something in common with [b:Tales from the White Hart|149055|Tales from the White Hart|Arthur C. Clarke|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1226695451l/149055._SY75_.jpg|143857] by [a:Arthur C. Clarke|7779|Arthur C. Clarke|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1357191481p2/7779.jpg] - both are set in 1950's bars and have fantastical stories. They also inspired books by [a:Isaac Asimov|16667|Isaac Asimov|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1341965730p2/16667.jpg] ([b:The Union Club Mysteries|872942|The Union Club Mysteries|Isaac Asimov|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1379866107l/872942._SY75_.jpg|2782900] and the [b:Tales of the Black Widowers|99248|Tales of the Black Widowers (The Black Widowers, #1)|Isaac Asimov|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1171434710l/99248._SY75_.jpg|140702] series) and [a:Spider Robinson|19317|Spider Robinson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1248450944p2/19317.jpg] ([b:Callahan's Crosstime Saloon|7399284|Callahan's Crosstime Saloon|Spider Robinson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1478835843l/7399284._SY75_.jpg|1128634] series).
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