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A review by jkellyjr
Nordic Visions: The Best of Nordic Speculative Fiction by Karin Tidbeck, Maria Haskins, John Ajvide Lindqvist
2.0
An odyssey into the heart of Nordic storytelling…..
Book Information
“Nordic Visions: The Best of Nordic Speculative Fiction”, edited by Margrét Helgadóttir is a 352-page short story anthology scheduled to be published on October 3, 2023. Thank you to Rebellion Publishing for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book for review.
Summary
This anthology offers a fusion of Nordic speculative fiction, seamlessly blending the dark, noir undertones of Nordic crime fiction with the epic storytelling reminiscent of Icelandic Sagas. These stories, ranging from rational to eccentric, are deeply rooted in their landscapes, exploring themes of isolation and humanity's impact on nature. Featuring Sixteen narratives by leading contemporary speculative authors hailing from Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands, this collection promises an immersive journey through the diverse realms of Nordic storytelling.
My Thoughts
"Nordic Visions: The Best of Nordic Speculative Fiction," edited by Margrét Helgadóttir, offers a captivating journey through the world of speculative fiction from the Nordic countries. This anthology showcases an eclectic mix of sixteen stories, each classified by the author's country of origin, providing a unique glimpse into the diverse voices of the Nordic literary landscape.
From Sweden, we encounter the talents of John Ajvide Lindqvist, Maria Haskins, and Karin Tidbeck, whose contributions infuse the anthology with a rich blend of themes. Denmark brings forth the imaginative works of Kaspar Colling Nielsen, Jakob Drud, and Lene Kaaberbø, adding depth and variety to the collection. The Faroe Islands contribute the storytelling of Rakel Helmsdal, while Iceland is represented by the masterful tales of Johann Thorsson and Alexander Dan Vilhjálmsson. Norway's presence is felt through the creativity of Tor Åge Bringsværd, Tone Almhjell, Thore Hansen, and Margrét Helgadóttir. Finally, Finland rounds out the anthology with the unique voices of Johanna Sinisalo, Hannu Rajaniemi, and Emmi Itäranta.
One notable feature of "Nordic Visions" is the inclusion of short biographies for each author, making it an excellent introduction to Nordic literary voices for readers unfamiliar with these writers.
The anthology's strength lies in its wide range of topics, encompassing themes such as paranormal, extraterrestrial, sci-fi, technology, folklore, and horror. The stories exhibit remarkable diversity in tones and subject matter, showcasing the breadth of speculative fiction within the Nordic region.
However, it's worth noting that a recurring characteristic of many stories is their abrupt endings, leaving readers wanting more closure. While this might be a characteristic of Nordic or speculative fiction, it could be jarring for those accustomed to more definitive conclusions.
One standout in the anthology is the opening story, "She" by Ajvide Lindqvist, which delivers suspense and tension in a gripping ghost story. Although it offers a fantastic reading experience, some may find the ending a bit vague.
One issue with the book is the lack of clear breaks between stories and the absence of titles for each story within the text. This can make it challenging to discern where one story ends and another begins, disrupting the reader's flow. An introduction to each author or a short teaser for their respective stories would have been immensely helpful in this regard.
Despite this, there are gems to be found within "Nordic Visions." "The Cormorant" by Tone Almhjell and "The Day Jonas Shadowed His Dad" by Thore Hansen are among the stories that stand out.
Additionally, it's worth acknowledging the striking and attention-grabbing book cover, which adds an extra layer of intrigue to this anthology.
Recommendation
"Nordic Visions: The Best of Nordic Speculative Fiction" offers a diverse and intriguing collection of stories from the Nordic region. While it may leave some readers seeking more conclusive endings and a smoother transition between stories, it provides an introduction to the work of talented Nordic authors in the realm of speculative fiction.
Rating
2.5 Nordic Stars
Book Information
“Nordic Visions: The Best of Nordic Speculative Fiction”, edited by Margrét Helgadóttir is a 352-page short story anthology scheduled to be published on October 3, 2023. Thank you to Rebellion Publishing for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book for review.
Summary
This anthology offers a fusion of Nordic speculative fiction, seamlessly blending the dark, noir undertones of Nordic crime fiction with the epic storytelling reminiscent of Icelandic Sagas. These stories, ranging from rational to eccentric, are deeply rooted in their landscapes, exploring themes of isolation and humanity's impact on nature. Featuring Sixteen narratives by leading contemporary speculative authors hailing from Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands, this collection promises an immersive journey through the diverse realms of Nordic storytelling.
My Thoughts
"Nordic Visions: The Best of Nordic Speculative Fiction," edited by Margrét Helgadóttir, offers a captivating journey through the world of speculative fiction from the Nordic countries. This anthology showcases an eclectic mix of sixteen stories, each classified by the author's country of origin, providing a unique glimpse into the diverse voices of the Nordic literary landscape.
From Sweden, we encounter the talents of John Ajvide Lindqvist, Maria Haskins, and Karin Tidbeck, whose contributions infuse the anthology with a rich blend of themes. Denmark brings forth the imaginative works of Kaspar Colling Nielsen, Jakob Drud, and Lene Kaaberbø, adding depth and variety to the collection. The Faroe Islands contribute the storytelling of Rakel Helmsdal, while Iceland is represented by the masterful tales of Johann Thorsson and Alexander Dan Vilhjálmsson. Norway's presence is felt through the creativity of Tor Åge Bringsværd, Tone Almhjell, Thore Hansen, and Margrét Helgadóttir. Finally, Finland rounds out the anthology with the unique voices of Johanna Sinisalo, Hannu Rajaniemi, and Emmi Itäranta.
One notable feature of "Nordic Visions" is the inclusion of short biographies for each author, making it an excellent introduction to Nordic literary voices for readers unfamiliar with these writers.
The anthology's strength lies in its wide range of topics, encompassing themes such as paranormal, extraterrestrial, sci-fi, technology, folklore, and horror. The stories exhibit remarkable diversity in tones and subject matter, showcasing the breadth of speculative fiction within the Nordic region.
However, it's worth noting that a recurring characteristic of many stories is their abrupt endings, leaving readers wanting more closure. While this might be a characteristic of Nordic or speculative fiction, it could be jarring for those accustomed to more definitive conclusions.
One standout in the anthology is the opening story, "She" by Ajvide Lindqvist, which delivers suspense and tension in a gripping ghost story. Although it offers a fantastic reading experience, some may find the ending a bit vague.
One issue with the book is the lack of clear breaks between stories and the absence of titles for each story within the text. This can make it challenging to discern where one story ends and another begins, disrupting the reader's flow. An introduction to each author or a short teaser for their respective stories would have been immensely helpful in this regard.
Despite this, there are gems to be found within "Nordic Visions." "The Cormorant" by Tone Almhjell and "The Day Jonas Shadowed His Dad" by Thore Hansen are among the stories that stand out.
Additionally, it's worth acknowledging the striking and attention-grabbing book cover, which adds an extra layer of intrigue to this anthology.
Recommendation
"Nordic Visions: The Best of Nordic Speculative Fiction" offers a diverse and intriguing collection of stories from the Nordic region. While it may leave some readers seeking more conclusive endings and a smoother transition between stories, it provides an introduction to the work of talented Nordic authors in the realm of speculative fiction.
Rating
2.5 Nordic Stars