Electronic OtherRealms #26 Winter, 1990 Part 6 of 8 Copyright 1990 by Chuq Von Rospach All Rights Reserved. OtherRealms may be distributed electronically only in the original form and with copyrights, credits and return addresses intact. OtherRealms may be reproduced in printed form only for your personal use. No part of OtherRealms may be reprinted or used in any other publication without permission of the author. All rights to material published in OtherRealms hereby revert to the author. The Agony Column Reviews by Rick Kleffel Copyright 1990 by Rick Kleffel So you read the latest Stephen King novel in two days and the new Koontz hasn't come in. What do you do when you want something different that's actually the same? You look on the fringes. There's plenty of writing out there, passing itself off as mystery, SF, even mainstream fiction that has all the elements the good horror reader wants -- excitement, imagination, reality, tension. So read those back cover blurbs carefully. Dream Baby [****] Bruce McAllister Tor, $18.95, 0-312-93197-2 Last year, Peter Straub's Koko set a high standard for horror epics set in or around Vietnam. Even that novel skirted the issue by being set in the present and reaching back to the past. Since then, a number of works have come out that use veterans as characters, but no one else has really tried what Bruce McAllister tries in Dream Baby -- a full-scale ESP in Vietnam novel, played out by American troops stationed in Vietnam during the early 1960s. It's a path plagued with pitfalls and ripe for Rambo-esque exaggerations. McAllister evades the pitfalls and succeeds in creating a novel that is authentic, imaginative and complex. But Dream Baby is not a thriller-style page turner like Koko. It's an atmospheric look at experiments in combat-induced ESP and stands as one of best novels of psychic phenomena ever written. Interviews with veterans are interspersed around the interview with the novel's narrator, Mary Danico, a nurse who starts to dream of wounds and then sees those wounds in the operating room. McAllister's style is obviously the result of the thousands of hours of interviews he heard and conducted. The narrative creates a thick swamp-like miasma, in which, ESP-like powers are not stable but ever-changing, shifting to suit the situations and the characters. This makes the characters, particularly Robert ("The Captain") the most convincing and menacing characters with psychic powers ever created. The conclusion, reminiscent of Theodore Sturgeon, is astounding. While Dream Baby is not for everyone, those who enjoy atmospheric writing similar to Lucius Shepherd should seek out Dream Baby. A Dozen Tough Jobs [****+] Howard Waldrop Mark V. Zeising, $16.00, 0-92480-01-5 Famed horror director Wes Craven stated in an interview that he considered the Greek Myths the original horror stories. He probably hadn't yet read the Twelve Labors of Hercules via Howard Waldrop, however. In A Dozen Tough Jobs, the strangest writer this side of the dimensional barrier that separates men from the howling madness transposes the Labors to 1926 Mississippi. This book isn't for everyone, but if anybody will adopt Waldrop as an author, it should be the horror readers. This book is in no way a work of horror, but that doesn't mean that horror fans who appreciate a solid sense of the surreal mixed with a good sense of humor won't find extremely rewarding reading here. Waldrop's hero is Houlka Lee, a convict working off the remainder of his sentence for Boss Eustus, and his tale is narrated by IO, Invictus Ovidus, a lanky black kid assigned to help out the humongous Houlka. Waldrop's usual tendency to subvert history is here diverted to an attempt to re-name history. There are some rather jarring gaps that indicate that this might be a novel in progress. No matter. If you're interested in Greek Myths, the old south, or Howard Waldrop, once you surrender to this handsomely designed book you won't want to let go. Stone Shadow [****] Rex Miller Onyx, $3.95, 0-451-40164-0 Stone Shadow is great news for Rex Miller fans. He's been getting better with every book, and this, the third novel in the Eichord sextet, is the strongest entry yet. Slob, while written in a unique style, suffered from sloppiness and stereotypical characters. Frenzy, the second novel, had bang-up characters and better writing, but veered towards predictability with another Eichord romance too similar to the romance in Slob. Stone Shadow almost eliminates the romance and signals a return of Miller's interesting views of almost ESP. His style is still unique but is cleaner. More importantly, he finally integrated aspects of mystery into his plot to make this novel more thrilling. Eichord is sent to find a serial killer, a terrifying being who claims to have killed hundreds of people in the Southwestern states. But the man claiming to be the killer is already in custody--or is he? Miller takes the Eichord on a frightening voyage into a deranged mind. Although there's a touch less gore in this novel, readers will still need a strong stomach to make it through, but it's worth the trip. Horrifying and original, this is the novel that marks the arrival of another great horror writer. A Child Across the Sky [***+] Jonathan Carroll Legend, Century Hutchinson Ltd., 0-7126-2588-7, $30.00 The best thing about A Child Across the Sky is that it's totally unpredictable. Even when you're on the next to last page, you don't know how it's going to end. Unfortunately, many readers aren't going know how it ended even after they finish it. If you like horror fiction with messy problems and tidy solutions, then you probably won't be satisfied with A Child Across the Sky. If you like your fiction open-ended, thoughtful and mysterious, you'll probably love Jonathan Carroll's newest novel. A Child Across the Sky is in some ways a sequel to Carroll's earlier novel The Bones of the Moon. It starts with the death of Philip Strayhorn, a horror movie director who committed suicide and left a task for his best friend Weber Gregston. It seems that Phil created something on the set of his latest, uncompleted movie, something that had no right to exist. This gives Carroll a platform to ponder the moral implications of creating horror art. Readers will find something lacking in other works--a morality, carefully thought-out but not summed up in pontificating platitudes. Despite this tendency towards edification, Carroll manages to infuse this novel with tension, which is much abetted by his sense of mystery. This is also a work where horror is an integral part of the narrative. In a genre where tension becomes predictable, Carroll creates a terror that far more genuine because it is based on a horrific point of view rather and a close-up view of the horrific. Haunted [***] James Herbert Putnam, $16.95, 0-399-13486-7 The gothic novel seems to be having a minor resurgence, and it's not too surprising that James Herbert is at the front of the pack. Haunted resurrects the glories of isolated houses holding even more isolated characters. It's a classy, restrained performance by a mainstream horror writer. The story revolves around David Ash, a psychic debunker who is assigned to study a haunting at Edbrook, the Mariell family house. But he brings with him his own past, and his own haunts. Herbert doesn't clutter up the narrative with an excess of subplotting or extraneous thriller elements. He instead pursues the mystery straight to the gothic heart of David Ash. This streamlined feel is a plus, since gothics often tend to get lost in the plotting. Sometimes however, Herbert's thinness causes problems, particularly in his descriptions of Ash's ghostbusting gear. We've seen the movies, from Poltergeist to Ghostbusters, and we know that there's more to exposing fakes than flour and flashlights. In this respect, Herbert's minimalism rings untrue, but it does allow him to get on with the story without getting caught up in the gadgets. For those who like their scares old-fashioned, well-written and purely enjoyable, Haunted is just the book to read on a cold winter night. The Grocery List: Shopping in an Upscale Market You say you're tired of junk food, and want some gourmet horror? If you've got the money, you can get it. There's a feast of high-priced terror out there, just waiting for your wallets. Don't look too closely. You don't really want to know what kind of meat you're eating, do you? Tales of the Cthulu Mythos [*****] H. P. Lovecraft and Others Arkham, $23.95, 0-87054-159-5 Got a few dollars to spare? Here's something for your must buy list -- Tales of the Cthulu Mythos is a festival of evil seafood in a glorious 50th anniversary edition. You may have read some of the stories, but those you haven't are like old friends you haven't met yet -- familiar, but lots of fun to get to know. For HP Lovecraft's formless horrors, JK Potter is of course, the perfect illustrator. Razored Saddles [****+] Joe R. Lansdale and Pat LoBruto Dark Harvest, $19.95 Attention weirdos! Gather around out west for some of the strangest stuff ever to come out of Dark Harvest. Joe Lansdale's intro is worth the price, but who in their right mind would want to miss McCammon, Lansdale, Lewis Shiner, Scott Cupp, Richard Laymon, Neal Barret, or better yet, Howard Waldrop's "Passing of the Western"? Not you, pardner. Stalkers [***+] Ed Gorman and Martin H. Greenburg Dark Harvest, 0-913165-47-6 Here's a theme anthology that's a surefire winner, done in a "Hardback EC"-style: a collection of stalker/victim stories with a new novella by Dean Koontz. But the real killers are Rex Miller's Eichord vignette and Richard Laymon's moonlight ride. Night Visions 7 [****] Stanley Wiater Dark Harvest, 0-913165-50-6 It doesn't take a psychic to predict that any edition of the Night Visions series will be worth reading. This time, Richard Laymon provides the rat-eating highlights, Chet Williamson the flesh-eating priest (sounds corny but it reads like liquid gold), Gary Brandner the man-eating dogmen, and Stanley Wiater some very informative interviews in lieu of the typical horror-is-a-good-thing intro. So what if every edition gets good reviews? Can there really be too much of a good thing? Masques III [****] JN Williamson St. Martin's,$17.95, 0-312-2948-9 A major anthology series moves to the big press and gets better. Sounds impossible, but leave it to Williamson to pull it off. This one's bigger than the others, but it's all quality stuff. And anybody who gives a whole category to monsters is barking at the right planet. Resurrection Dreams [*****] Richard Laymon WH Allen, $30.00, 0-491-03398-2 Richard Laymon writes beautiful, minimalist, almost existential prose -- he's the Phillip Glass of splatter. But he makes you care about about his characters, and creates scenes that will stick in your mind. Imagine a Sartre/Romero/Koontz collaboration--that'll give you some idea of the talent shown in this novel. It may take less time to read than some books, but when you're done, Resurrection Dreams is something you'll be able to read again. The Hacker [***-] Chet Day Pocket, $3.95, 0-671-67611-3 Well-informed both on electronic networking and Japanese folklore, The Hacker does the inevitable and brings a bad thing to a computer network. Enjoyable reading, it does exhibit the tendency to line up the victims. NeXT? Books and Magazines Received Fantasy Anthony, Piers, Unicorn Point, Ace, January, 1990, 337pp, $4.50, 0-441-84563-0. Book six of the Apprentice Adept series. Asprin, Robert Lynn & Abbey, Lynn. Stealer's Sky, Ace, December, 1989, 240pp, $3.95, 0-441-80612-0 Thieves' World #12. Bailey, Robin W. The Lake of Fire, Bantam, October, 1989, 281pp, $3.95, 0-553-28185-2. The Dungeon Volume 4. Blaylock, James P. The Last Coin, Ace, 328pp, December, 1989, $3.95, 0-441-47075-0. Bradley, Marion Zimmer. The Heirs of Hammerfell, DAW, Dec, 1989, 300pp, $18.95, 0-88677-395-4 Bradley, Marion Zimmer. The Shattered Chain, DAW, April, 1976, 287pp, $3.95, 0-88677-308-3 Brunner, John. The Compleat Traveller in Black, Collier, November, 1989, 231pp, $3.95, 0-02-030720-9. Cherryh, C.J. & Lackey, Mercedes. Reap the Whirlwind, Baen, November, 1989, 273pp, $3.95, 0-671-69846-X. Cook, Rick. The Wizardry Compiled, Baen, January, 1990, 307pp, $3.95, 0-671-69856-7. Costello, Matthew J. Wizard of Tizare, Bantam, January, 1990, 313pp, $3.95, 0-553-28303-0. Guardians of the Three volume 3. de Lint, Charles. Jack, the Giant-Killer, Ace, January, 1990, 186pp, $3.50, 0-441-37970-2. Deitz, Tom. Darkthunder's Way, Avon, December, 1989, 342pp, $3.50, 0-380-75508. Drake, David & Miesel, Sandra. Heads to the Storm, Baen, November, 1989, 273pp, $3.50, 0-671-69847-8. Feist, Raymond. Prince of the Blood, Bantam, August, 1989, 360pp, $18.95, 0-385-23624-7. Finch, Sheila. Shaping the Dawn, Bantam, November, 1989, 309pp, $3.95, 0-553-28287-5. Gardner, Craig Shaw. Slaves of the Volcano God, Ace, October, 1989, 213pp, 3.95, 0-441-76977-2. Grant, Richard. Views from the Oldest House, Doubleday, Dec, 1989,470pp, $8.95, 0-385-26428-3. Green, Sharon. Hellhound Magic, DAW, November, 1989, 400pp, $4.50, 0-88677-399-7. Huff, Tanya. Gate of Darkness, Circle of LIght, DAW, November, 1989, 272pp, 3.95, 0-88677-386-5. Hughart, Barry. The Story of the Stone, Bantam, November, 1989, 289pp, $4.50, 0-553-28278-6. Hyman, Jackie. Shadowlight, DAW, 236pp, December, 1989, $3.50, 0-88677-397-0. Lichtenberg, Jacqueline. Dreamspy, St. Martin's, December 1989, 337pp, $19.95, 0-312-03327-3. McKiernan, Dennis L. Dragon Doom, Bantam, February, 1990, 485pp, $4.50, 0-553-28337-5. Miesel, Sandra. Shaman, Baen, October, 1989, 306pp, $3.50, 0-671-69844-3. Norton, Andre. Dare to Go A-hunting, Tor, December, 1989, 248pp, $16.95, 0-312-85012-3. Norton, Andre. Wizard's Worlds, Tor, October, 1989, 500pp, $17.95, 0-312-93191-3. Rogers, Mark E. Samurai Cat in the Real World, Tor, October, 1989, 128pp, $12.95, 0-312-93198-0. Saberhagen, Fred. Coinspinners Story, Tor, December, 1989, 244pp, $16.95, 0-312-93221-9. Silverberg, Robert & Haber, Karen. Mutant Season, Doubleday, October, 1989, 289pp, $8.95, 0-385-26647-2. Smith, David Vanmeter. Trinity Grove, Avon, Feb, 1990, 277pp, $3.95, 0-380-75835-0. First Novel. Tarr, Judith. Alamut, Doubleday, December, 1989, 470pp, $8.95, 0-385-26435-6. Wagner, Karl Edward, Echoes of Valor II, Tor, October, 1989, 284pp, $17.95, 0-312-93189-1. Williams, Tad. Dragonbone Chair, DAW, November, 1989, 783pp, $5.95, 0-88677-384-9 Williams, Tad. Tailchaser's Song, DAW, 1985, 575pp, $4.95, 0-88677-374-1. Reissue. Williamson, Jack. Darker than you Think, Collier, November, 1989, 264pp, $4.95, 0-02-038350-9. Wilson, David Henry. The Coachman Rat, Carroll&Graf, Oct, 1989, 171pp, 13.85, 0-88184-508-6. Wilson, Robert Charles. A Hidden Place, Bantam, November, 1989, 212pp, $3.95, 0-553-26103-7. Wingrove, David. Chung Kuo, Delacorte, January, 1990, 630pp, $19.95, 0-385-29873-0. Yolen, Jane. White Jenna, Tor, October, 1989, 265pp, $17.95, 0-312-93195-6. Horror Boyle, Josephine. Maiden's End, St. Martin's Press, November, 1989, 265pp, $17.95, 0-312-03391-5. Day, Chet. The Hacker, Pocket, November, 1989, 310pp, $3.95, 0-671-67611-3. Herbert, James. Haunted, Putnam, Oct, 1989, 220pp, 0-399-13486-7. Jarvis, Sharon. True Tales of the Unknown, Bantam, November, 1989, 272pp, 3.95, 0-553-28251-4. Lovecraft, H.P. Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos, Arkham House, 529pp, $23.95, 0-87054-159-5 Masello, Robert. Black Horizon, Jove, October, 1989, 292pp, $3.95, 0-515-10168-0. McAllister, Bruce. Dream Baby, Tor, October, 1989, 434pp, $18.95, 0-312-93197-2. Neiderman, Andrew. Perfect Little Angels, Berkley, September, 1989, 262pp, $3.95, 0-425-11775-8. Paine, Michael. Owl Light, Charter, November, 1989, 232pp, $3.95, 0-55773-277-9. Rogers, Mark. The Dead, Berkley, December, 1989, 289pp, $3.95, 0-425-11611-5. Rusch, Kristine Kathryn, ed. Pulphouse #5: Horror, Fall, 1989, 280pp, from P.O. Box 1227, Eugene, OR 97440. Sackett, Jeffrey. Blood of the Impaler, Bantam, October, 1989, 340pp, $3.95, 0-553-28183-6. Straczynski, J. Michael. Tales from the New Twilight Zone, Bantam, December, 1989, 255pp, $3.95, 0-553-28286-7. Wagner, Karl Edward. Intensive Scare, DAW, January, 1990, 303pp, $3.95, 0-88677-402.0. Anthology. Other Panshin, Alexei & Cory. The World Beyond the Hill, Jeremy Tarcher, 685pp, $29.95, 0-87477-436-5. Science Fiction Allen, Roger McBride & Drake, David. The War Machine, Baen, November, 1989, 338pp, $3.95, 0-671-69845-1. Crisis of Empire 3. Anderson, Poul. The Boat of a Million Years, Tor, Nov, 1989, 470pp, 19.95, 0-312-93199-9. Attanasio, A.A. The Last Legends of Earth, Foundation, September, 1989, 368pp,18.95, 0-385-26392-9. Bell, Clare, People of the Sky, Tor, October, 1989, 344pp, $18.95, 0-312-93131-X. Benford, Gregory & Greenberg, Martin H. Alternate Heroes, Bantam, January, 1990, 354pp, $4.50, 0-553-28279-4. Benford, Gregory. Tides of Light, Bantam, October, 1989, 407pp, $4.50, 0-553-28214-X. Bishop, Michael. No Enemy But Time, Bantam, October, 1989, 338pp, $4.95, 0-553-28187-9. Boucher, Anthony. The Compleat Werewolf, Carroll&Craf, January, 1990, 256pp, $4.50, 0-88184-557-4 Brennert, Alan. Time and Chance, Tor, December, 1989, 278pp, $17.95, 0-312-93192-1. Brust, Steven. Cowboy Feng's Space Bar and Grill, Ace, January, 1990, 224pp, $3.50, 0-441-11816-X. Bujold, Lois McMaster. Borders of Infinity, Baen, October, 1989, 311pp, $3.95, 0-671-69841-9. Bull, Emma. Falcon, Ace, October, 1989, 281pp, 3.95, 0-441-22569-1. DeChancie, John. Castle Kidnapped, Ace, November, 1989, 216pp, $3.50, 0-441-09408-2. Dick, Philip K. Eye in the Sky, Collier, November, 1989, 255pp, $4.50, 0-02-031590-2. Dillard, J.M. The Lost Years, Pocket, October, 1989, 307pp, $17.95, 0-671-68293-8. Ecklar, Julia. The Kobayashi Maru, Pocket, December, 1989, 254pp, $4.50, 0-671-65817-5. Effinger, George Alec. Author's Choice Monthly #1, Pulphouse, Box 1227, Eugene, OR 97440. Ferman, Edward L. The best from Fantasy & Science Fiction, St. Martin's, September, 1989, 376pp, $18.95, 0-312-03293-5. Franklin, Cheryl J. The Light in Exile, DAW, January, 1990, 334pp, $3.95, 0-88677-417-9. Friedman, Michael Jan. A Call to Darkness, Pocket, November, 1989, 274pp, $3.95, 0-671-68708-5 Gibson, William. Mona Lisa Overdrive, Bantam, December, 1989, 308pp, $4.95, 0-553-28174-7. Goldstein, Lisa. Author's Choice Monthly #3, Pulphouse Publishing. Box 1227, Eugene, OR 97440. Greenberg, Martin H. Foundation's Friends, Tor, November, 1989, 403pp, $19.95, 0-312-93174-3. Greenberg, Martin H. The Diplomacy Guild, Avon, April, 1990, 257pp, $3.95, 0-380-75751-6. Gunn, James & Williamson, Jack. Star Bridge, Collier, November, 1989, 215pp, $4.50, 0-02-040881-1 Hinz, Christopher. Ash Ock, St. Martin's, October, 1989, 308pp, $18.95, 0-312-03291-9. Ingrid, Charles. The Marked Man, DAW, December, 1989, 253pp, $3.95, 0-88677-396-2. Jeter, K.W. Death Arms, St. Martin's Press, October, 1989, 183pp, $14.95, 0-312-03321-4. Klass, Judy. The Cry of the Onlies, Pocket, October, 1989, 255pp, $4.50, 0-671-68167-2. Malzberg, Barry. Beyond Apollo, Carroll&Graf, November, 1989, 153pp, $3.50, 0-88184-551-5. Moorcock, Michael. The Fortress of the Pearl, Ace, October, 1989, 231pp, $16.95, 0-441-19123-1. Perry, Steve. The 97th Step, Ace, December, 1989, 294pp, $3.95, 0-441-58105-6. Robinson, Kim Stanley. Escape From Kathmandu, Tor, November, 1989, 313pp,17.95, 0-312-93916-4. Sargent, Pamela. Venus of Shadows, Bantam, January, 1990, 643pp, $4.95, 0-553-27058-3. Sarrantonio, Al. Moonbane, Bantam, October, 1989, 196pp, $3.95, 0-553-28186-0. Scotten, Cordell. Renegade, Ace, November, 1989, 178pp, $3.50, 0-441-73128-7. Robots and Aliens #2. Silverberg, Robert. Project Pendulum, Bantam, 3.95, 0-553-28001-5. Smith, Dean Wesley. Laying the Music to Rest, Questar, Nov, 1989, 195pp, 3.95, 0-445-20934-8 Steele, Alien. Orbital Decay, Nov 1989, 324pp, 3.95, 0-441-49851-5. Stirling, S.M. Under the Yoke, Baen, October, 1989, 501pp, $3.95, 0-671-69843-5. Stith, John. Redshift Rendezvous, Ace, June, 1990, 250pp, $3.50, 0-441-71445-6. Sullivan, Tim. The Parasite War, December, 1989, Avon, 256pp, $3.50, 0-380-75550-5. Tepper, Sheri S. Grass, Foundation, October, 1989, 426pp, $18.95, 0-385-26012-1. Wagner, Karl Edward. Author's Choice Monthly 2, Pulphouse Publishing, 101pp, $10.00 Watson, Ian. Checkov's Journey, Carroll&Graf, October 1989, 183pp, $16.95, 0-88184-523-X. Watson, Ian. The Embedding, Carroll&Graf, January, 1990, 217pp, $3.95, 0-88184-554-X. Wilhelm, Kate. Children of the Wind, St. Martin's, October, 1989, 263pp, $16.95, 0-312-03303-6. Williams, Walter Jon. Facets, Tor, January 1990, 208pp, $17.95, 0-312-85019-0. Wilson, Robert Charles, Gypsies, Bantam, November, 1989, 311pp, $4.50, 0-553-28304-9. Wolfe, Gene. Soldier of Arete, Tor, October, 1989, 354pp, $17.95, 0-312-93185-9. Wolverton, Dave. On my way to paradise, Bantam, December, 1989, 521pp, $4.95, 0-553-27610-7. Zelazny, Roger. This Immortal, Baen, November, 1989, 216pp, $3.95, 0-671-69848-6. Fanzines Anvil #50, Charlotte Proctor, Ed. Irregular from 8325 7th Ave. South, Birmingham, AL 35206. Don-O-Saur #56, Don C. Thompson, 3735 W. 81st Place, Westminster, CO 80030-3919. File 770 # 83. Mike Glyer, ed. 5 for $5.00 from 5828 Woodman Ave. #2, Van Nuys, CA 91401 Fosfax, C/O FOSFA, Box 37281, Louisville, KY 40233-7281. Inquirer. St. Louis SF. Society, Box 1058, St. Louis, MO 63188. Monthly clubzine. Mimosa 7. Dick and Nicki Lynch, Box 1270, Germantown, Md. 20874-0998 Odd #2. David Haugh. 556 N. 3rd St. Woodburn, OR 97071. Optimistic Sturgeon #2. Dan'l Danehy-Oakes, ed. Quarterly, sort of, from 3215 Liberty Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501. Pirate Jenny #4, Pat Mueller, 618 Westridge, Duncanville, TX 75116. Renaissance Fan #7. Rosalind Malin and Dick Pilz. Quarterly from 2214 SE 53rd, Portland, OR 97215 Rune 80, Jeanne Mealy & David E. Romm, Box 8297 Lake Street Station, Minneapolis, MN 55408. Star Rover #2, Terry Gish, ed. From (SFA)**2, 467 Saratoga Ave. Suite 631, San Jose, CA 95128-1380. The Plowman, Tony Scavetta, ed. 6 times a year, from Box 414, Whitby, Ontario, Canada, L1N 5S4. Thyme #77. LynC, ed. Australasian SF News Magazine. Box 4024, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3052 Trash Barrel Reviews. Donald Franson, 6543 Babcock, North Hollywood, CA 91606. Fanzine review fanzine. ------ End ------