Friday, December 22, 2006

Miracle and Other Christmas Stories

Miracle and Other Christmas Stories

Connie Willis

Date: 31 October, 2000   —   $6.75   —   Book

product page

Rating:

Fiction, Science Fiction

Commie Willis is not, alas, prolific; she has come out with merely a handful of books in her decades-long career and two or three compilations of short stories. However, a high percentage of her works have been good enough to win various awards such as the fan-based Hugo Award and the writer-based Nebula Award. This collection of stories shows the reasons why; in just a few pages, she can create something magical.

"Inn", for example, shows the real meaning of "Christian charity" during a choir rehearsal. The story shows a number of Connie Willis trademarks, including the obnoxious authority figure and the almost farcical comings and goings to startle and delay the protagonist. (Think of "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie" and you'll understand the diversionary tactics.) "The Pony" is a short few pages that makes a child's malapropism all too true. "The Newsletter" is a fascinating little joke of a story that brings a new meaning to Pod People.

A few of these stories are reprints but some have never before been collected into book form. You might as well pick it up; the only shame is that your Connie Willis addiction can only be filled so far.

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