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A review by misterjay
The Ape's Wife and Other Stories by Caitlín R. Kiernan
4.0
The Steam Dancer (1896) - Lovely, quiet story about a woman who has been gifted a mechanical leg and how she dances. 4/5
The Maltese Unicorn - Fantastic detective, hard-boiled story about a bookseller who is both sponsored by and caters to demons. 5/5
One Tree Hill (The World as Cataclysm)
Kinda struggled with this one. Too atmospheric, not enough plot for my tastes. Still, interestingly written and strong sense of character. 3/5
The Collier’s Venus (1898)
Although intriguing, I lost interest about halfway through when the story stopped being about the relationship between the two main characters and became, instead, a history of a being left sleeping in the earth millennia ago. 2/5
Galapagos
Sad story of a woman who comes face to face with a Goddess and then must spend the rest of her life dealing with the pain and loss that comes with surviving the experience. 4/5
Tall Bodies
Almost more of a poem than a story, Tall Bodies evokes a sense of wonder and fear and longing all at the same time. Really beautifully written. 4/5
As Red As Red
Very atmospheric, this feels almost more like a sketch than a story about the true history of a nineteenth century vampire. Very good though. 4/5
Hydraguros
A tale of drugs, or maybe alien possession whilst on drugs. Either way, there are a lot of drugs in this story. Starts really strong, fades out in a is-it-real-or-a-dream ending. 3/5
Slouching Towards the House of Glass Coffins
A tale of revenge across the deserts of Mars. Atmospheric, broody, and weird. Just about perfect. 5/5
Tidal Forces
How would you react if a black hole appeared in your wife’s side? Would you study it? Avoid it? Reach into it? This is a moving story of doing just exactly that. 5/5
The Sea Troll’s Daughter
Start with the slaying of a troll by a stranger and throw in a comely barmaid and you have a standard adventure tale, up to a point. That’s the point when the story gets interesting. 3/5
Random Thoughts Before a Fatal Crash
An artist mistakes a god for his muse. Both disaster and art ensue. It’s hard to tell the one from the other. 3/5
The Ape’s Wife
Thoughtful re-telling of King Kong from Ann Darrow’s perspectives. Artful and dreamy. 4/5
The Maltese Unicorn - Fantastic detective, hard-boiled story about a bookseller who is both sponsored by and caters to demons. 5/5
One Tree Hill (The World as Cataclysm)
Kinda struggled with this one. Too atmospheric, not enough plot for my tastes. Still, interestingly written and strong sense of character. 3/5
The Collier’s Venus (1898)
Although intriguing, I lost interest about halfway through when the story stopped being about the relationship between the two main characters and became, instead, a history of a being left sleeping in the earth millennia ago. 2/5
Galapagos
Sad story of a woman who comes face to face with a Goddess and then must spend the rest of her life dealing with the pain and loss that comes with surviving the experience. 4/5
Tall Bodies
Almost more of a poem than a story, Tall Bodies evokes a sense of wonder and fear and longing all at the same time. Really beautifully written. 4/5
As Red As Red
Very atmospheric, this feels almost more like a sketch than a story about the true history of a nineteenth century vampire. Very good though. 4/5
Hydraguros
A tale of drugs, or maybe alien possession whilst on drugs. Either way, there are a lot of drugs in this story. Starts really strong, fades out in a is-it-real-or-a-dream ending. 3/5
Slouching Towards the House of Glass Coffins
A tale of revenge across the deserts of Mars. Atmospheric, broody, and weird. Just about perfect. 5/5
Tidal Forces
How would you react if a black hole appeared in your wife’s side? Would you study it? Avoid it? Reach into it? This is a moving story of doing just exactly that. 5/5
The Sea Troll’s Daughter
Start with the slaying of a troll by a stranger and throw in a comely barmaid and you have a standard adventure tale, up to a point. That’s the point when the story gets interesting. 3/5
Random Thoughts Before a Fatal Crash
An artist mistakes a god for his muse. Both disaster and art ensue. It’s hard to tell the one from the other. 3/5
The Ape’s Wife
Thoughtful re-telling of King Kong from Ann Darrow’s perspectives. Artful and dreamy. 4/5