"A must read anthology"
The twelve stories that make up DEATH AND THE LIBRARIAN AND
OTHER STORIES are, for the most part, either ironic or
satirical or both, but with one exception, always amusing
fantasies. Esther Friesner is at her irreverent best
skewing the universe with classic short stores like How
To Make Unicorn Pie, In the Realm of Dragons,
and Jesus at the Bat, etc. The only new story
Illion is atypical of Ms. Friesner as this takes a
more somber tone than usual as the author provides her
perspective to 9/11. The uniqueness of this collection is the writer's ability
to wink at the genre for its excessive rigid formulaic
characters and themes yet also parody modern society in the
same story. With the well written reverent Illion
aside, fans who relish humorous skewing of fantasy
stereotypes that also encourage the audience to "thine own
self be true" will delight in this swift reading anthology.
Just because the works are a parody, one must not think for
a moment that the author does not take her work seriously.
Each story is finely crafted and appeals to something
primal in the reader. This is a great introduction for
someone not familiar with the works of Esther Friesner. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted October 22, 2002
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