THE URBAN FANTASY ANTHOLOGY edited by Peter S. Beagle and Joe R. Lansdale. (Tachyon Publications, August 2011) Paperback, 431 pages. ISBN # 1616960183 / 9781616960186
Summary on the Goodreads website . . . . .
Star-studded and comprehensive, this imaginative anthology brings a myriad of modern fantasy voices under one roof. Previously difficult for readers to discover in its new modes, urban fantasy is represented here in all three of its distinct styles—playful new mythologies, sexy paranormal romances, and gritty urban noir.
Whether they feature tattooed demon-hunters, angst-ridden vampires, supernatural gumshoes, or pixelated pixies, these authors—including Patricia Briggs, Neil Gaiman, and Charles de Lint—mash-up traditional fare with pop culture, creating iconic characters, conflicted moralities, and complex settings. The result is starkly original fiction that has broad-based appeal and is immensely entertaining.
Contents
Introduction by Peter S. Beagle
Mythic Fiction
Introduction: “A Personal Journey Into Mythic Fiction” by Charles de Lint
“A Bird That Whistles” by Emma Bull
“Make a Joyful Noise” by Charles de Lint
“The Goldfish Pool and Other Stories” by Neil Gaiman
“On the Road to New Egypt” by Jeffrey Ford
“Julie’s Unicorn” by Peter S. Beagle
Paranormal Romance
Introduction: “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Urban Fantasy” by Paula Guran
“Companions to the Moon” by Charles de Lint
“A Haunted House of Her Own” by Kelley Armstrong
“She’s My Witch” by Norman Partridge
“Kitty’s Zombie New Year” by Carrie Vaughn
“Seeing Eye” by Patricia Briggs
“Hit” by Bruce McAllister
“Boobs” by Suzy McKee Charnas
“Farewell, My Zombie” by Francesca Lia Block
Noir Fantasy
Introduction: “We Are Not a Club, but We Sometimes Share a Room” by Joe R. Lansdale
“The White Man” by Thomas M. Disch
“Gestella” by Susan Palwick
“The Coldest Girl in Coldtown” by Holly Black
“Talking Back to the Moon” by Steven R. Boyett
“On the Far Side of the Cadillac Desert With Dead Folks” by Joe R. Lansdale
“The Bible Repairman” by Tim Powers
“Father Dear” by Al Sarrantonio
My review on the Goodreads website . . . . .
I’d give this mixed bag of short stories a rating of 3.5 stars, but I don't know how to do that on the Goodreads site so I settled for 3 stars. There are a few great stories here, and several above average tales. However, the rest didn't move me so much although they each represented a different aspect of urban fantasy.
In fact, I think that's what the editors were going for here. Rather than collect the absolute best stories in this genre, this particular anthology does a fine job of highlighting the various sub-genres within the category and then using the stories as examples of the range of options available to writers.
Editor Peter S Beagle writes a short overview, breaking down urban fantasy into three sub-genres and including an introductory essay before each section: Mythic Fiction; Paranormal Romance; and Noir Fantasy.
I think if the 20 stories collected here had been pared down to half that number, this would have been a stronger collection. Here's the 10 stories I would pick. Incidentally, three are mythic fiction, two are paranormal romance, and five are noir fantasy.
MYTHIC FICTION:
"Make a Joyful Noise" by Charles de Lint is the most powerful and heartwarming tale in this anthology, a feel-good story of two mythic crows (not sure which pantheon they represent) who take ethereal form in order to help a forgotten ghost of a young boy find overdue recognition.
"Goldfish Pool & Other Stories" by Neil Gaiman is a whimsical look at Hollywood past and present from the viewpoint of an author turned reluctant screenwriter (for the money). The fantasy element is a bit vague, but it's still a great read.
"Julie's Unicorn" by Peter S. Beagle is an amusing tale of a unicorn that steps out of a painting and has to be cared for in an apartment along with some cats.
PARANORMAL ROMANCE:
"Kitty's Zombie New Year" by Carrie Vaughn is a unique spin on date-rape drugs and their debilitating effects.
"Hit" by Bruce McAllister, my second favorite story here, is a clever first person narrative by a hitman hired by an angel to do God a favor and take down an ancient vampire currently residing in the Vatican.
NOIR FANTASY:
"Gestella" by Susan Palwick is a moving story of a human-werewolf romance that has a lot to say about the objectification of women.
"Coldest Girl In Coldtown" by Holly Black places a teenage love triangle in a near future where many aspire to become vampires for the usually ridiculous adolescent reasons.
"On The Far Side OF The Cadillac Desert With Dead Folks" by co-editor Joe R. Lansdale is the wildest story of the collection, a personal favorite that I've read before, and showcases the insertion of adventure pulp fiction into the format. Don't miss it.
I won't spoil "Bible Repairman" by Tim Powers by telling you about it. It is the most creative and original story of the bunch.
"Father Dear" by Al Sarrantino is a disturbing tale of a dysfunctional family with gothic elements.
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