DREAMS OF DARK AND LIGHT

by Tanith Lee ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 18, 1986

Twenty-three tales, 1977-84, running to 507 pages, and arranged--for some reason--alphabetically. While there are no notably new ideas here, Lee's stories brim with darkly artful twists and conundrums persuasively fleshed out with patient, limpid detail. Sometimes, though, the detail grows overdense and unwieldy, swamping the least robust plots. The themes here demonstrate Lee's impressive eclecticism both in time and space, from straight science fiction (the last woman on Earth receives an android alien visitor; an immortal guardian who psychically roams the galaxy; disembodied mentalities stored in a computer until a body becomes available) to fantastical creatures (gorgons, silkies, vampires, tigers, mermen, werewolves). Elsewhere: a splendid Jack Vance pastiche (Lee is one of the very few writers who could carry it off) that turns into rather good Jack Vance; ""Cinderella"" recast as a bloody tale of black-magical vengeance; an eerie city populated by automata; a haunted seaside hotel room; a Carthagenian black sorceress; plus: murderous queens, human sacrifices, astral/time travel, ghosts, avatars, demons, and more. A substantial collection, then, in bulk as well as content, thoughtful, controlled, often rewarding, and consistently above average.

Pub Date: Aug. 18, 1986

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Arkham

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 1986

Categories: FICTION