NewsHappy birthday, Strange Horizons! September 1, 2010 marked the tenth anniversary of our launch. Contents30 August 2010![[Reviews posted three times a week]](/2010/20100830/narrative-thumb.png)
(Reviews) FICTION: Aphrodisia, by Lavie TidharWe'd shared a hub in Tong Yun City years before, the asteroid-worm and the orbital hafmek and me—shared food and drugs and sex and minds—but we were younger then, on Mars. POETRY: Sestina for Death , by James S. DorrBut, ah, this is a wake and so we drink REVIEW: This Week's Reviews, posted three times a weekMonday: Narrative Power: Encounters, Celebrations, Struggles, edited by L. Timmel Duchamp, reviewed by Anil Menon 23 August 2010![[Article by Cécile Cristofari]](/2010/20100823/martins-thumb.png)
(Articles) ARTICLE: Written in Maps, by Cécile CristofariEver since J. R. R. Tolkien put his imprint on the fantasy genre, maps have become a staple in helping speculative fiction authors share their imagined world with the audience. Yet even as they provide this crutch to the reader, the location of maps outside the narrative raises questions about their literary significance. How does the map contribute to the creation of the invented geography? Are thematic dimensions of the narrative present on the map? And what sort of perspective does a map's author represent? FICTION: Five Rules for Commuting to the Underworld, by Merrie HaskellIf you undertake your travels to the Underworld while you are yet a living being, you may wish to sew your mouth closed--black thread is best. It is the surest way to avoid the temptations and escape with your soul intact. POETRY: Thrice, by Yoon Ha Leeicebird's sharp feather / firebird's charred talon REVIEW: This Week's Reviews, posted three times a weekMonday: Above the Snowline by Steph Swainston, reviewed by Niall Harrison 16 August 2010![[Article by John Ottinger III]](/2010/20100816/p0-thumb.jpg)
(Articles) ARTICLE: An Interview with Jonathan Maberry, by John Ottinger IIIZombies aren't charming, and they don't have personalities. They're walking corpses with no higher functions. They certainly aren't romantic. What they represent in zombie fiction is a constant and universal threat that is implacable and unbearable. That kind of threat puts all of the characters under pressure, and from a storytelling point of view, characters under pressure are the only interesting ones to write about. COLUMN: Real Action, by Matthew CheneySeeing Christopher Nolan's movie Inception got me reflecting on his previous summer blockbuster, The Dark Knight, a film I vehemently disliked when I first saw it in the theatre . . . FICTION: The Big Splash, by George R. Galuschak"I thought you might be able to help him." I tried to keep the tremble out of my voice. "Maybe reverse the aging process. You're an alien and all." POETRY: Of Ithaca & Ice, by Ann K. SchwaderI wandered the asphodel stars REVIEW: This Week's Reviews, posted three times a weekMonday: Red Plenty by Francis Spufford, reviewed by Adam Roberts 9 August 2010![[Article by Cynthia C. Scott]](/2010/20100809/article.jpg)
(Articles) ARTICLE: The X-Files: Faith and Paranoia in America, by Cynthia C. ScottThe show's real strengths weren't in the conspiracy itself, but in Mulder and Scully’s relationship and the way they bonded through the fog of obfuscation, lies, and cover ups. "The truth is out there" became the series’ hopeful message: that the truth found in faith and love can never be concealed as long as the faithful are genuine in their ideals. COLUMN: Scores, by John CluteRajaniemi's brilliant first novel is more device than story. FICTION: Ghost of a Horse Under a Chandelier, by Georgina BruceIt's easy to lose the Book because it's always changing. There isn't an author's name on the cover. And every time Zillah opens the Book it's different. Everything is different, even the title. Today, it starts like this. POETRY: Egyptian Sparks, by Robert BorskiOn the night spur / between Kharga and Kena, REVIEW: This Week's Reviews, posted three times a weekMonday: A Dark Matter by Peter Straub, reviewed by Jonathan McCalmont Strange Horizons is a weekly online magazine of science fiction, fantasy, science fact, opinion, art, and reviews. All material in Strange Horizons is copyrighted to the original authors and may not be reproduced without permission. Violators will be prosecuted. Updated every Monday Graphic design by Elaine Chen. |