Theodora Goss' first major short story collection showcases such stories as "The Rose in Twelve Petals," "The Rapid Advance of Sorrow," "Lily, With...
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reviews
Sep 13, 2011
Ron
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Part surrealist, part fabulist, Theodora Goss writes short stories that have the feel of folklore, of fairy tales. In the best of these stories ("The Wings of Meister Wilhelm" and the somewhat related "Lessons with Miss Gray") the supernatural touches upon the lives of young girls reaching maturity. In the one overt horror tale "Letters from Budapest" a young man is drawn into a world of big city decadence. In short, the psychology in these tales is real, the the
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Mar 13, 2011
Tim
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Two stories in this collection were phenomenal: "Sleeping with Bears" and "The Wings of Meister Wilhelm." I didn't dislike any of the others, though. In fact, Goss does a great job creating a sort of mise en scene in her stories. That is to say, they are thick with ambiance and voice--in a pleasant way. She often starts just a bit slowly, but by page two or three of her tales, she has usually created an effective hook. The fabulism itself is easy to get absorbed in; stor
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Jan 02, 2012
Michelle
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This is a collection of short stories by Theodora Gross. Some of the tales are different takes on classic fairy tales such as "Sleeping with Bears" where a Southern society girl marries a bear, with the story told by her jaded/envious sister. This is a take on Rose Red/ Rose White. Other stories in this format include " A Rose in Twelve Petals" and "Feeling Very Strange" (Sleeping Beauty) and The title story is reminiscient of Alice's journey in the forest, but is
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Jul 07, 2010
H. Anne
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I found this to be a really lovely collection of works by an author I'm not particularly familiar with. The first story, The Rose In Twelve Petals, I remembered reading in an anthology somewhere. (I can't recall now if it was one of the Year's Best Fantasy and Horror or one of the faerie tale collections edited by Windling and Datlow.) I do, though, remember liking it a great deal. Just like I remember liking Lily, With Clouds, the other story I read previously to me and am not sure about wh
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Jul 27, 2010
Kerry
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A beautifully crafted collection of short stories, Theodora Goss’ In the Forest of Forgetting draws on fairy tale and mythological motifs in creative and unexpected ways. While most, if not all, of the stories were amazing, these were the highlights of the book, at least in my opinion.
In the Forest of Forgetting
In the Forest of Forgetting, the story from which the book takes its title, is breathtaking and haunting. A soberly enchanting allegory, it chronicles a woman’s journe More...
In the Forest of Forgetting
In the Forest of Forgetting, the story from which the book takes its title, is breathtaking and haunting. A soberly enchanting allegory, it chronicles a woman’s journe More...
Apr 30, 2008
Izlinda
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Aug 03, 2010
Maureen
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I really enjoyed some of these stories and was less wild about some of the others. One of these was the first story, “The Rose in Twelve Petals”, which I found a tad heavy-handed for my taste. (You can read it here and decide for yourself.)
Favorites:
* “The Rapid Advance of Sorrow“. It felt topical, but at the same time like a dream. Just enough fantasy to keep it from simply being didactic.
* “Letters from Budapest” was haunting and unsettling.
* “The Wings of Meister Wilhe More...
Favorites:
* “The Rapid Advance of Sorrow“. It felt topical, but at the same time like a dream. Just enough fantasy to keep it from simply being didactic.
* “Letters from Budapest” was haunting and unsettling.
* “The Wings of Meister Wilhe More...
Aug 21, 2010
Dorothy
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Contains "The Rose in Twelve Petals", "Professor Berkowitz Stands on the Threshold", "The Rapid Advance of Sorrow", "Lily, With Clouds", "Miss Emily Gray", "In the Forest of Forgetting", "Sleeping with Bears", "Letters from Budapest", "The Wings of Meister Wilhelm", "Conrad", "A Statement in the Case", "Death Comes for Ervina", "The Belt", "Phalaenopsis", "
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May 31, 2011
Grace
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Overall, this was a highly enjoyable collection of short fiction. I enjoyed how many of the stories were connected by vague locations or characters (a woman in gray, a cottage at the bottom of the garden, etc). I enjoyed some stories more than others (my favorite was the one about the man who tried to fly), but even the stories I didn't especially enjoy were admirable for their interstitial qualities and whimsy.
There were a few typos that made me wish Goss had had a more thorough p More...
There were a few typos that made me wish Goss had had a more thorough p More...
Feb 07, 2009
Jason
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An incredible, wonderful collection. Goss reveals beauty and strangeness in unexpected places, and her often Eastern European settings lend an otherworldly quality to her fantastic narratives. Her tales are like delicate gossamer, ephemeral as fairy wings, and just as likely to blow away on the wind. Beautiful.
Dec 31, 2008
Jim
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Sporadicly wonderful. Ranged from surreal, to whimsical, to just plain magic. "The Wings of Meister" is Just Plain Magic. The tale, "The Rapid Advance of Sorrow" is quite haunting. "A Rose in Twelve Petals" is very nice. "A Statement in the Case" is a quite nice little horror story.
There are a story or two I maybe don't see the point too. Also, there is one or that are excellent, but not Fantasy. That isn't really a criticism, just lettin More...
There are a story or two I maybe don't see the point too. Also, there is one or that are excellent, but not Fantasy. That isn't really a criticism, just lettin More...
Jun 15, 2009
RandalM
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This unusual take on fairy tales is told with a wry, modern sensibility. The writing is engaging, although some of the plots seem to just trail off. I wished that a few of the stories had been longer, which is, I suppose, a compliment to the author.
May 07, 2011
Miah
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I adored this collection. Fantastic, dreamlike, and very enjoyable. Lovely writing, strong voices, and many engaging narratives. My favorites were "Lily, With Clouds," "Sleeping with Bears," and "The Wings of Meister Wilhelm."
Feb 02, 2010
Sarah
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I saw Theodora read at WisCon a few years back and had to get a copy of this book. I was not disappointed. Her stories stuck with me long after I read (and reread) them.
Jan 06, 2009
Sunshine
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This was a great collection of short stories. The only think I found disappointing was the lack of happy endings. But I guess that's just my preference.
Sep 10, 2011
Evelyn
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The cover is kinda amazing and the stories inside were just as good. Many of them I wish were longer, because I still have so many questions. "Death Comes for Ervina," for one, and "The Belt" for another. I really liked the headings (is that the term?) in "Professor Berkowitz Stands on the Threshold." There's something exquisite about them, even beyond the exquisiteness of the writing in general. By the way, her website at theodoragoss.com is quite good.
Nov 07, 2011
Shan
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This was a breeze to read -- these stories are full of intriguing plots, places, and characters. Ghosts, witches, fairies, and other fantastical creatures abound, yet never feel incongruous in the human world, and the prose always feels effortless. Several stories are linked by recurring characters, so you're always discovering new things about people you thought you wouldn't encounter again.
Dec 16, 2011
Nora
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Theodora Goss's short story collection, In the Forest of Forgetting, proved beautiful on more than one level. It is a gorgeous book; the cover illustration and the page illustrations accompanying each story fit quite well. And the stories will give any writer writing envy. They are so beautiful. Gross does a wonderful job of weaving myth with modern world or a Victorian setting. This book is a shining gem!
Sep 18, 2009
Bridgett
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I loved the whole book, but my favorites were "The Rose in Twelve Petals" because it was a take on Sleeping Beauty and "In the Forest of Forgetting" because it was an archetypal fantasy about having cancer, which was unusual and I love archetypes.
Sep 14, 2008
Susan
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Really interesting fantasy short stories, the kind that start out in the ordinary world, and then there's a twist and a jump, and the fantasy sweeps you away. I especially liked the 3 "Miss Gray" stories.
May 29, 2008
Roby
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This is the first I've read from Theodora Goss, and I am hooked! English is not her first language, but the way she uses it leaves me wanting more. Delectable!
Mar 03, 2010
Renee
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Smashing. I checked this out from the library, but now I am going to have to purchase my own copy so I can read it again and again...
Jun 05, 2007
I picked this up at the library yesterday, and it looks like it will be good. I'm excited to read it.
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