From his first professional story written when he was 16, “The Faces Outside,” to his most critically acclaimed work, the novelette Dream Baby—a finalist for both the Hugo and Nebula awards—these 17 stories showcase the author’s five decades of science fiction writing. Whether it be an elderly woman who uses her vast wealth to create a genetically perfect son (“Angels”) or a young boy who learns the rituals of an alien culture in order to obtain an assassin’s help for his unborn sister (“Kin”), the stories resonate with a child’s sense of wonder coming face-to-face with the realities of the human condition in a science-fictional world. The book also features story notes that reveal each story’s origin as well as the influences—both literary and human—on the author’s life and writing career. An introduction by science fiction great Harry Harrison, an afterword by the John W. Campbell Memorial Award-winner Barry N. Malzberg, and cover art by 2005 Chesley Award–winner John Picacio, make this a keepsake collection.
Industry Reviews
"Among top short story talents in the field, McAllister is a leader. Polished, moving, thought-provoking -- this collection is without parallel." -- Harry Harrison, author, The Stainless Steel Rat" "In stories spanning his career, McAllister creates characters and places with haunting presence ... distinguished by a stunning array of ideas and a depth of characterization that is impressive. " -- Booklist "Bruce McAllister is that rarity, a writer who can do anything. His stories range from the sweet to the terrifying, idea-dense to atmospheric, character-rich to event-packed. And sometimes all of this in the same story. Writers read other writers to learn tricks, but I often cannot see how he does it. He's a magician." --Gregory Benford, author, Timescape , Nebula Award winner, 1980 "Bruce McAllister was widely regarded as one of the best science fiction writers of the '80s (although he really started all the way back in 1963), and the recent work in this collection shows that he's lost none of his skills here in the Oughts. The Girl Who Loved Animals and Other Stories , which spans five decades of his brilliant career, shows McAllister at his best: complex, compassionate, angry, thoughtful, subtle, and always concerned with exploring the hidden places of the human heart." --Gardner Dozois, editor, Year's Best Science Fiction anthology series