I cannot honestly say that circus is something that I
very much enjoy. I have my share of circus shows in my childhood days, but
after that period of time my interest in the matter decreased considerably.
However, the same theme in fiction brought a very pleasant surprise last year
in the form of Genevieve Valentine’s novel, “Mechanique: A Tale of the Circus
Tresaulti”. Although reluctant at first due to my little attraction for the
theme I was convinced by a couple of recommendations coming from trusted sources.
And the reward was more than satisfying. I am not completely won over, I still
have my reservations, but I am no longer as hesitant as before. That is the
reason for my interest in the upcoming reprint anthology, “Circus: Fantasy Under
the Big Top”, edited by Ekaterina Sedia. Actually the main reason is the editor
herself, because I do love and respect a lot the works published by Ekaterina
Sedia so far. The second can be easily be the list of authors the editor put
together and where I can find some very interesting names, such as the already
mentioned Genevive Valentine, Felicity Dowker, Amanda Downum, the spectacular
and extremely talented Cate Gardner, Andrew J. McKiernan who constantly grows
in my eyes, Peter Straub and Jeff VanderMeer. With a very good cover artwork to
match the interesting table of contents I am very curious to see what Ekaterina
Sedia’s new anthology, “Circus: Fantasy Under the Big Top” has to offer.
“Introduction”
“Something About a Death,
Something About a Fire” by Peter Straub
“Smoke & Mirrors” by
Amanda Downum
“Calliope: A Steam Romance”
by Andrew J. McKiernan
“Welcome to the Greatest
Show in the Universe” by Deborah Walker
“Vanishing Act” by E.
Catherine Tobler
“Quin’s Shanghai Circus” by
Jeff VanderMeer
“Scream Angel” by Douglas
Smith
“The Vostrasovitch
Clockwork Animal and Traveling Forest Show at the End of the World” by Jessica
Reisman
“Study, for Solo Piano” by
Genevieve Valentine
“Making My Entrance Again
with My Usual Flair” by Ken Scholes
“The Quest” by Barry B.
Longyear
“26 Monkeys, Also the
Abyss” by Kij Johnson
“Courting the Queen of
Sheba” by Amanda C. Davis
“Circus Circus” by Eric
Witchey
“Phantasy Moste Grotesk” by
Felicity Dowker
“Learning to Leave” by
Christopher Barzak
“Ginny Sweethips’ Flying
Circus” by Neal Barrett Jr.
“The Aarne-Thompson
Classification Revue” by Holly Black
“Manipulating Paper Birds”
by Cate Gardner
“Winter Quarters” by Howard
Waldrop
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