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Ellen Datlow's 2001 Reviews
Declare by Tim Power (William Morrow) is a remarkably
realistic depiction of Cold War espionage and a vivid portrait of
British traitor Kim Philby with a large, fascinating dollop of the
supernatural thrown in. Andrew Hale is recruited at a very young age to
be part of a top secret organization within the British government. With
all the deliberate flippings of his loyalties, the only thing he has to
hang on to is the young woman he spent time with during one of his early
missions. A brilliant entertainment. The Subterranean Press limited
edition, published in 2000,won The International Horror Guild Award and
was co-winner of The World Fantasy Award.
Under the Skin by Michael Faber (Harcourt, Inc) deftly combines horror with science fiction in this chilling and strangely moving story that begins with an odd young woman driving the roads of the Scottish highlands, trolling for suitable male specimens to "take." Gradually, what seems at first to be a simple serial killer novel veers into something far more sinister. The woman, Isserley, is not from around here and has been, in her own words, "mutilated" to conform to the appearance of a vulnerable human female to become a kind of venus flytrap. While the reader follows her daily routine, she gets a cross-section of human male behavior in a very specific situation. Creepy, disturbing and occasionally wince-producing (more for men than women, I'd think) this is a fascinating sf horror novel. The Wooden Sea by Jonathan Carroll (Tor) is the author's eleventh novel and it's a doozy. From the moment a three legged dog steps into the life of Police Chief Frannie McCabe that life is never the same. The dog drops dead, is buried and shows up in the car trunk—then things get really strange. McCabe is a likable character who literally has to face his cocky past and make important decisions that could change the world. Almost compulsively readable, The Wooden Sea is a complex cross-genre confection combining elements of science fiction (time travel), surreal fantasy, and dark fantasy for a rich, satisfying read. (disclaimer: I am Carroll's editor at Tor). The Ragchild by Steve Lockley and Paul Lewis (RazorBlade Press, UK) is a well-rendered novel about a secret London that shelters the needy and is the soul of the London we know. An evil being that takes the form of a child does its best to destroy this fragile city by manipulating a bunch of losers to create a formidable monstrous army to do its bidding. A young runaway, a former soldier miraculously saved from certain death in WWI, and a mysterious and scarred clairvoyant are the city's only hope. Threshold by Caitlín Kiernan is the author's second published novel and expertly uses her knowledge of paleontology to develop a dangerous mystery about a living fossil that haunts an abandoned water tunnel. Kiernan is exceptionally good at depicting the murky malaise of young misfits who have too much time on their hands. The Lost by Jack Ketchum (Leisure) is a powerful, fast-moving, and terrifying portrait of a young psycho from the suburbs of New Jersey towards the end of that period of change—the sixties. Ray Pye is a monster in the making and proves it in 1965 when he murders two young woman at a campsite. For the next four years he confounds the two cops who suspect him and hold in thrall the two friends who were inadvertent witnesses to the slaughter. Until things—and Ray—start to crack. Also available in a limited hardcover edition from Cemetery Dance. Publications. |