Surprisingly engaging short stories by Norton.
Book of short stories and essays....
The Toads of Grimmerdale -
Set in the Witch World universe, this story likely gives a background to some events in books I read so long ago I can't remember - but it was very enjoyable for itself... Pregnant by rape and cast out of her household, a girl wanders in search of revenge... her loving goddess denies her that, and she seeks a boon from darker powers... those known in foul legend as the Toads of Grimmerdale.
Good story!
London Bridge -
In a post-apocalyptic underground city where all the adults have been killed by plague, only a few children survive. But a strange Pied-Piper-like figure has been luring away the younger children with nursery rhymes. Will our narrator be able to save his little sister?
On Writing Fantasy -
Essay. Basically a bibliography of stuff Norton liked.
Mousetrap -
On an alien planet, weird and beautiful statues (?) turn to dust the moment they are touched by human hands... Of course, there's a generous offer out for whoever can bring one in intact...
All Cats Are Gray -
The derelict hulk and its valuable cargo had not been claimed by salvage or looters for a very good reason - but the nondescript spacewoman Steena and her pet cat have an advantage in this case, due to a quality they share...
The Long Night of Waiting -
An eerie and contemporary tale of the intersection of our world with Faerie... well done.
The Gifts of Asti -
The last priestess of the god and her alien companion flee the barbarian invaders - and make a strange and wonderful find that gives the girl hope for the future of her people.
Long Live Lord Kor! -
Having just read the first of Kage Baker's 'Company' books recently, my, this is a similar premise! In the future, humans have discovered time travel, and send agents back in time to change things at critical junctures on various planets. In this story, the goal is to save a potentially economically valuable civilization that quickly wiped itself out through war. Agents are "briefed" and then find themselves in the body of someone who was mentally deficient. Agent Trapnell expected to arrive in the body of a mindless 'oracle' priest, but instead finds himself in the body of a prince recently the victim of a serious head injury, Lord Kor. He must adapt quickly to convince those around him that the prince has made a remarkable recovery, and to rendezvous with the female agent, Niccolae, in order to complete their mission. Action-adventure sci-fi/fantasy in the grand tradition!
Andre Norton: Loss of Faith - Rick Brooks
A critical essay on Andre Norton's work. Rather unfocused - not a great work of literary criticism.
The Toads of Grimmerdale -
Set in the Witch World universe, this story likely gives a background to some events in books I read so long ago I can't remember - but it was very enjoyable for itself... Pregnant by rape and cast out of her household, a girl wanders in search of revenge... her loving goddess denies her that, and she seeks a boon from darker powers... those known in foul legend as the Toads of Grimmerdale.
Good story!
London Bridge -
In a post-apocalyptic underground city where all the adults have been killed by plague, only a few children survive. But a strange Pied-Piper-like figure has been luring away the younger children with nursery rhymes. Will our narrator be able to save his little sister?
On Writing Fantasy -
Essay. Basically a bibliography of stuff Norton liked.
Mousetrap -
On an alien planet, weird and beautiful statues (?) turn to dust the moment they are touched by human hands... Of course, there's a generous offer out for whoever can bring one in intact...
All Cats Are Gray -
The derelict hulk and its valuable cargo had not been claimed by salvage or looters for a very good reason - but the nondescript spacewoman Steena and her pet cat have an advantage in this case, due to a quality they share...
The Long Night of Waiting -
An eerie and contemporary tale of the intersection of our world with Faerie... well done.
The Gifts of Asti -
The last priestess of the god and her alien companion flee the barbarian invaders - and make a strange and wonderful find that gives the girl hope for the future of her people.
Long Live Lord Kor! -
Having just read the first of Kage Baker's 'Company' books recently, my, this is a similar premise! In the future, humans have discovered time travel, and send agents back in time to change things at critical junctures on various planets. In this story, the goal is to save a potentially economically valuable civilization that quickly wiped itself out through war. Agents are "briefed" and then find themselves in the body of someone who was mentally deficient. Agent Trapnell expected to arrive in the body of a mindless 'oracle' priest, but instead finds himself in the body of a prince recently the victim of a serious head injury, Lord Kor. He must adapt quickly to convince those around him that the prince has made a remarkable recovery, and to rendezvous with the female agent, Niccolae, in order to complete their mission. Action-adventure sci-fi/fantasy in the grand tradition!
Andre Norton: Loss of Faith - Rick Brooks
A critical essay on Andre Norton's work. Rather unfocused - not a great work of literary criticism.
