Short

[threemonkeys]

As I have no doubt expounded before, it is interesting to read short story collections of novelists I like. It helps evaluate their range and other aspects of their skills. Some authors seem to write better work in the shorter form even though they mainly write novels - that is where the money is after all. Dan Simmons and Sean Williams come quickly to mind. Others like Greg Bear are the other way.

I do like the novels of Jonathan Lethem. I like the way he builds an atmosphere and his strange disconnected characters. I did not like the short stories contained in The Wall of The Sky, The Wall of the Eye. The techniques he uses to make the novels interesting need time to develop. Stripped of that slow development, the characters and settings just seemed random and out of place. Its a fine line - some of the stories may well have worked with just a little more length or maybe even just some more intensity. I was left with a close but no chocolate fish feeling.

Comments

[girliejones.livejournal.com]

What would a chocolate fish feel like?
*curious*

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

:-) They feel nice across the taste buds.

Um - just a thought, do you actually have chocolate fish over there?

[girliejones.livejournal.com]

no - i don't actually know what you are talking about

[stephanie-pegg.livejournal.com]

They're marshmallow on the inside and coated with chocolate. Good for making token bribes to people.

[girliejones.livejournal.com]

hmmm.. we must have something equivalent

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

Fish shaped raspberry marshmellow covered in chocolate. Used as a token prize.

[girliejones.livejournal.com]

these are traditionally used as a token prize?

I'm going to ask at dinner tonight if anyone's seen them here

[gillpolack.livejournal.com]

Now you have half of Australia curious about chocolate fish! Is there anyone going to Conflux or Continuum who could possibly, possibly sneak one into the country. I am *so* curious...

(People here often use those individual tim-tams - not as effective)

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

Conflux is still in my plans.

Despite the official "no food" policy, there are no problems bringing in stuff like that into Oz - you just declare it and they wave you through because processed food is quite safe. Well they did last time.

[gillpolack.livejournal.com]

:). I will buy you a drink in return for a chocolate fish. (This is a morsel of great cutlural import - I love finding out stuff like this :) ).

[mashugenah.livejournal.com]

What about if he brings you grain waves too? :)

[gillpolack.livejournal.com]

I might have to worship at his feet.

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

Its a deal. (remind me in late May - my memory being what it is)

[i-ate-my-crusts.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the review -- though I wish it were a bit longer. I've got Fortress of Solitude on my to-read list, and I know a certain person (ie greengolux who usually prefers short fiction collections to novels ... will know not to suggest or buy this one!

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

though I wish it were a bit longer

:-) Well yes, I did the the post heading to heart a bit.

Fortress of solitude is a very different piece altogether - I'm still not sure that I feel qualified to comment on it (http://www.livejournal.com/users/threemonkeys/50896.html).

For what its worth, my top single author short story collection of the last year was "Stories of your life" by Ted Chiang.

[i-ate-my-crusts.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure I can choose between the collections I read: Kaaron Warren's The Grinding House, The Fahrenheit Twins by Michel Faber, Black Juice by Margo Lanagan and Stranger Things Happen by Kelly Link. All really fantastic.

[gillpolack.livejournal.com]

You might want to let certain person know the new Lucy Sussex is worth a read.

[i-ate-my-crusts.livejournal.com]

I'll stick it in her bag next weekend, then, since I have a copy.

[gillpolack.livejournal.com]

:). She does good stuff.

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

I would second that

[cricketk.livejournal.com]

I saw 34 comments and got all excited about what a great short v. long fiction discussion you must be having!

I love pineapple lumps, never understood chocolate fish (not even as a kid), used to have a big thing for L&P, but I'm sure they've changed the recipe - it doesn't taste like it used to. Whittakers slabs of anything win my heart. As far as I can tell, my aunt in Greytown actually lives on Whittakers Slabs 3-packs. The rest of her diet is merely window dressing.

And Sean Williams short stories versus his novels - the novels don't come close to being as interesting as the stories (for me, but I have a strong bias towards short stories anyway. I don't consider my perceptions to be reliable).

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

L&P isn't even made in Paeroa anymore. It is made in Auckland by Schweppes I think.

I chose Sean as an example because he is such an extreme case, so your perceptions are quite reliable.

I'm mash's sister in Australia by the way

[lobbasta.livejournal.com]

Ah L&P. You can buy it here, but in really funny and unpredictable palces, like New Zealand Ice Cream shop chain. It is neither a New Zealand company nor does it sell New Zealand Ice Cream. They are just using our image :(

Does anyone else feel used?

Re: I'm mash's sister in Australia by the way

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

What! No NZ Ice Cream! I am so disappointed. I saw one of these stores in Perth and got a good feeling of Kiwi pride and now I find its all false. *sigh*

(but thank you mash's sister for helping us with our research)

Re: I'm mash's sister in Australia by the way

[lobbasta.livejournal.com]

No worries, always happy to help :)