"A well balanced anthology"
This sixteen story collection runs the gamut of
speculative fiction from fantasy to science fiction to
horror. The tales are broken into four major categories
with several entries in each one. The sections are Santa
Shorts (this reviewer's personal favorite grouping), Santa
Substitutes, Variations on Holiday Theme, and Classic
Tales of Christmas Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Whimsy.
With one exception, the stories are all reprints from
various publications ranging as far back as 1964. In fact
two are from the first half of the twentieth century; two
from the 1960s; two from the 1970s; five from the 1980s;
and four from the 1999s. The contributors are some of the
best writers of fantasy, horror or science fiction around
past and present. A YULETIDE UNIVERSE is a strong anthology that will elate
readers that enjoy a wide gamut of well written stories
from the three genres or just appreciate holiday tales.
Whether it is Baum, Harte, Gaiman, Ellison, or Barker etc.
this is a sure shot stocking stuffer for those appreciate
solid seasonal speculative stories. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted November 22, 2003
|
|
From A Christmas Carol to Connie Willis' Miracle and other
Christmas Stories to the stories of Mistletoe Mysteries,
jolly St. Nick and other memorable Yuletide visitors have
provided creative fodder for a host of writers
commemorating the holiday season throughout the ages. A
YULETIDE UNIVERSE collects the most memorable takes on the
holiday season by some of fantasy and science fiction's
brighter lights of the past and present including
such "Christmas stars" as Clive Barker, Anne McCaffrey,
Connie Willis, William Gibson, Harlan Ellison, and Neil
Gaiman.
|
