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Modern & Miscellaneous Stories - B
Back Across the Desert by Emily Mills
Recommended by: Emily Duncan - 11.08.02
Classification: OF Modern & Misc.
Sex/Violence Content: Gen
Length: Short Story - Complete
This story is worth reading for the poignancy of the ending alone. It beginsas an apparently typical tale, introducing the reader to Liz, who's hitchhiking, and Kit, the woman who's kind enough to offer her a ride. I was overjoyed when the obvious - namely, meaningful conversation and hot sex on the back seat - failed to materialise. Instead, I started to realise that something didn't feel quite right. The desert is the perfect backdrop for this building sense of unease, and the subdued tragedy of the final paragraph stayed with me long after I'd read it.
Back Across the Desert is an original short story with an intelligent
twist that quietly evokes the pathos of human existence. It's rather
reminiscent of Roald Dahl's more serious work, if you've ever read it. Emily Mills' style is fresh and unpretentious, and although there are a few awkward phrases, the occasional lapse in language does nothing to detract from the power of this tale. On a deeper level, the story also functions as a metaphor for grief - the atmosphere is stifling, and the mood suggestive of endlessly 'going through the motions.' I can't say too much, in case I spoil the ending, but go read it - I guarantee you'll be moved.
Story URL: http://www.agog.net/batgirl/stories/desert.html
Author commentary: http://wordscapefiction.tripod.com/Commentaries/emilycomments.htm
(The) Black Scarab and the Magic of Christmas by Leslie Ann Miller
Recommended by: Emily Duncan - 03.16.03
Classification: OF: Modern & Misc.
Sex/Violence Content: Alt
Length: Short Story - Complete
This story was produced for the Academy of Bards' 'Holiday Havoc' challenge, which, to my mind, makes it even more worthy of recommendation. Writing 'fiction to order' (i.e. when certain words or phrases have to be included) is a feat in itself - actually turning a list of random words into a quality original story is something else entirely. And Leslie Ann Miller manages to do exactly that with this piece. 'The Black Scarab and the Magic of Christmas' is a tale reminiscent of 'Men-in-Black' - it focuses on a secret government agency, but the operatives here are charged with controlling the use of magic (which is apparently more widespread than you might think), rather than hunting down little green men. You may think this sounds extremely derivative, but I can assure you that Miller's great fictional imagination soon makes you realise otherwise. To reduce it to the genre of 'Uber' - even though the two main characters are evocative of the archetypes - is also, in my opinion, to do the story a disservice. I don't want to spoil the tale by giving away too much - but the writing is flawless, the plot cute and whimsical, and it will definitely put a smile on your face.
http://wordscapefiction.tripod.com/Leslie/blackscarab.htm
Body and Soul by Lariel
Recommended by: Ann Braxton - 07.06.03
Classification: Original/Misc./Fantasy
Sex/Violence Content: Gen
Length: Short Story - 51 pages - Complete
Lariel wrote in a commentary that for ages she wanted to write a story about angels of death. And to write a truly original story. She’s done it, folks. And what a story it is.
With marvelously concise and descriptive language, Lariel creates an atmosphere of foreboding and urgency in the Prologue as the first character we meet, Fiona, hurries to an appointment, but not the one she intended. In a few paragraphs we learn enough to feel for her. The Angel of Death who, unseen, walks with Fiona, takes matters into his hands. This brings me to:
“Reincarnation (samsara) is the practical way in which one reaps the fruits of one’s deeds. Therefore, the self is forced to enter a new material existence until all karmic debt is paid.”
That is the ground rule, that souls must start their journey to reincarnation when the body dies. Interference is forbidden. Even if.....
All this sounds so serious and there are some important issues to ponder but believe me, Lariel’s usual scintillating humor is never far from the surface.
A renegade Angel of Death has to be dealt with, a new A of D recruit to the Homicide team has to prove himself and Angelus, well, rebel Angelus really puts HER/HIS/THEIR NIBS to the patience test. And the language...tsk tsk.
There was one dilemma for me. Where there is an Omnipotent I tend to expect that HE/SHE/IT knows all at all times. But as Lariel says, the concept is of a bureauracy, so I guess cell phones have their place even inter-dimensionally.
The ending brings to mind the famous clff-hanger "Lady or the Tiger?" by Frank Stockton. Body and Soul is worth your time and thought. I found it an estimable homage to J. Michael of Babylon 5 fame. Loved Angelus' surname too.
http://www.dreamcatching.netfirms.com/fiction/body1.htm
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