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sandygx260's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a while to plow through this collection because a few of the stories were so dull, I started reading something else. But overall the quality of the stories is worth the read.
stlorca's review against another edition
4.0
Fearful Symmetries is a horror anthology edited by editrix deluxe Ellen Datlow. The former editor-in-chief of the late, lamented OMNI, Datlow has a well-earned reputation as a tastemaker in science fiction, fantasy, and horror anthologies.
Fearful Symmetries doesn't disappoint--I hugely enjoyed it, with only a couple of clunkers (and nothing I actively hated). Outstanding stories include "Will The Real Psycho In This Story Please Stand Up?" by Pat Cadigan, "Bridge of Sighs" by Kaaron Warren, and my personal favorite of this collection, "Ballad of An Echo Whisperer" by Caitlín R. Kiernan. Well worth your while.
Also? Funded with Kickstarter, so she could champion authors whose work she liked.
Fearful Symmetries doesn't disappoint--I hugely enjoyed it, with only a couple of clunkers (and nothing I actively hated). Outstanding stories include "Will The Real Psycho In This Story Please Stand Up?" by Pat Cadigan, "Bridge of Sighs" by Kaaron Warren, and my personal favorite of this collection, "Ballad of An Echo Whisperer" by Caitlín R. Kiernan. Well worth your while.
Also? Funded with Kickstarter, so she could champion authors whose work she liked.
smalefowles's review against another edition
4.0
This collection contained quite a range of types of horror, and I encountered many new authors. My goal in reading it was to find new authors. Although, I'm not sure how useful that was. For example, I wasn't too impressed by the Gemma Files story, but then ended up liking Experimental Film. On the other hand, I enjoyed the Brian Evenson story but wasn't too impressed by his collection I've read in the past.
It's funny--I started the anthology craving more atmospheric ambiguity, and finished it wanting less ambiguity and more plot. Overall, though, an enjoyable collection.
It's funny--I started the anthology craving more atmospheric ambiguity, and finished it wanting less ambiguity and more plot. Overall, though, an enjoyable collection.
bernt's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The strength of this collection lies in it's variety. You go from greasy southern backwaters to arctic expeditions. Great horror collection if you want to be kept guessing.
terrik_409's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
I only enjoyed two stories out this selection. None were the overly scary to me.
misterkyle1901's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? N/A
3.75
scottishben's review against another edition
4.0
I was keen to pick up this book in part because I like the taste of Ellen Datlow as an editor and in part because the range of writers in the collection appealed to me. Caitlin Kiernan and Jeffrey Ford are two of my favorite writers and I basically seek out everything that they publish. Nathan Ballingrud left a real impression on me with the few of his stories I have read as had the stories I had read by several of the other writers in the volume such as Brian Evenson. On top of that many of the other writers were writers who I had heard great things about and was eager to check out.
The first story I read was the Caitlin Kiernan. Often when I read stories due to my fatigue I do not follow them 100% and I do find with Kiernan many of her stories benefit from a second reading. At the same time they have an almost Lynchian element to them in which they are more about how things feel than actually making any sort of literal sense anyway. This story was beautifully written and whilst it feels very familiar territory for Kiernan with its struggling writer protagonist it was very effective, engaging and memorable. I enjoyed the New Orleans atmosphere of the piece.
The Gemma Files is the first time I have read her and I found the story to be well written, exciting and creepy all at the same time. Although I didnt fall in love with the story it was a very effective tale of the creepy/sinister archaeological discovery type. Didnt feel to be making any new ground but I always have time for a well and interestingly told tale.
The Nathan Ballingrud was superbly entertaining. I got a feeling of an entire dark fantastic world with hell creatures and hellish influences as well as the seedy underbelly of society interested in them. Hugely enjoyable and whilst the story felt complete in itself I could happily devour a whole novel in this type of world/setting.
The Bruce McAllister was quite short and the Gary Mcmahon was very short, both were by writers new to me and whilst they were quite well written they were not to my taste particularly in style or content. Still they were enjoyable enough and made a refreshing change from the two before in content and theme.
The Pat Cadigan was was set in a American high school and involved a prom. This is a setting that in my 30s I am increasingly uninterested in and a bit tired of. Still Cadigan came up with a fresh and interesting tale using this setting and I thought it was a memorable tale that I liked if not loved. I do feel with short fiction that anything that leaves an impression on you, unless its disappointment in the author has succeeded.
Thats where I am up to thus far.
The first story I read was the Caitlin Kiernan. Often when I read stories due to my fatigue I do not follow them 100% and I do find with Kiernan many of her stories benefit from a second reading. At the same time they have an almost Lynchian element to them in which they are more about how things feel than actually making any sort of literal sense anyway. This story was beautifully written and whilst it feels very familiar territory for Kiernan with its struggling writer protagonist it was very effective, engaging and memorable. I enjoyed the New Orleans atmosphere of the piece.
The Gemma Files is the first time I have read her and I found the story to be well written, exciting and creepy all at the same time. Although I didnt fall in love with the story it was a very effective tale of the creepy/sinister archaeological discovery type. Didnt feel to be making any new ground but I always have time for a well and interestingly told tale.
The Nathan Ballingrud was superbly entertaining. I got a feeling of an entire dark fantastic world with hell creatures and hellish influences as well as the seedy underbelly of society interested in them. Hugely enjoyable and whilst the story felt complete in itself I could happily devour a whole novel in this type of world/setting.
The Bruce McAllister was quite short and the Gary Mcmahon was very short, both were by writers new to me and whilst they were quite well written they were not to my taste particularly in style or content. Still they were enjoyable enough and made a refreshing change from the two before in content and theme.
The Pat Cadigan was was set in a American high school and involved a prom. This is a setting that in my 30s I am increasingly uninterested in and a bit tired of. Still Cadigan came up with a fresh and interesting tale using this setting and I thought it was a memorable tale that I liked if not loved. I do feel with short fiction that anything that leaves an impression on you, unless its disappointment in the author has succeeded.
Thats where I am up to thus far.
matosapa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0