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27th out of 46 books
—
19 voters
Wonders of the Invisible World
Stylistically rooted in fairy tale and mythology, imperceptible landscapes are explored in these opulent stories from a beloved fantasy icon. There are princesses dancing with dead suitors, a knight in love with an official of exotic lineage, and fortune’s fool stealing into the present instead of the future. In one mesmerizing tale, a time-traveling angel is forbidden to...more
Paperback, 288 pages
Published
September 26th 2012
by Tachyon Publications
(first published September 1st 2012)
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McKillip's earlier works remain among my steadfast favorites, and I was happy to pick up her prior collection of short stories, Harrowing the Dragon, and devour it. Unfortunately, the first story in this one started with a time-traveler posing as an angel in front of Cotton Mather. It's difficult to think of a less interesting premise (from my perspective), and I ended up neglecting this book for months.
I have to say that McKillip's shorter fiction strikes me as more literary than her novels, wh...more
I have to say that McKillip's shorter fiction strikes me as more literary than her novels, wh...more
Award winning author Patricia A McKillip has brought us a collection of her short stories, conveniently packaged all together, instead of having to hunt through and collect numerous anthologies in search of her treasures. The treasures in this collection range from retellings of old classics, as in the case of the “Twelve Dancing Princesses” to reimagining’s as in the case of “Undine” and “Kelpie” all the way to straight fiction, as demonstrated in “Xmas Cruise”.
Included in this collection are:...more
Included in this collection are:...more
I inaugurated my new tablet with a library download of this anthology before I buy my traditional hardcopy version.
Patricia McKillip is one of the few writers whose works I will buy off the shelf, no questions asked. While good old J.R.R. Tolkien might have instigated my fantasy reading at age 10, McKillip set it in stone half a decade later. 'The Forgotten Beasts of Eld' was the first paperback I ordered and paid for by myself. The 'Riddlemaster' trilogy made me begin thinking about writing. 'T...more
Patricia McKillip is one of the few writers whose works I will buy off the shelf, no questions asked. While good old J.R.R. Tolkien might have instigated my fantasy reading at age 10, McKillip set it in stone half a decade later. 'The Forgotten Beasts of Eld' was the first paperback I ordered and paid for by myself. The 'Riddlemaster' trilogy made me begin thinking about writing. 'T...more
‘Wonders of the Invisible World’ by Patricia A. McKellip is a collection of 16 stories, started by an introduction by Charles de Lint and completed by a short of ‘What Inspires Me’, a Guest of Honour speech given at WisCon 2004.
With the first piece and the collection itself named for a book written by Cotton Mather in 1693, it ties the short story nicely to reality and adds a taste of science fiction, a fitting start to the collection.
From there we see a woman taken in by magic, and how painters...more
With the first piece and the collection itself named for a book written by Cotton Mather in 1693, it ties the short story nicely to reality and adds a taste of science fiction, a fitting start to the collection.
From there we see a woman taken in by magic, and how painters...more
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This book reads like a Pre-Raphaelite painting.
(view spoiler)...more
(view spoiler)...more
So what we’ve got here is a collection of mostly-fantasy short stories that left me shaking my fist at the sky and howling, “Dammit Patricia McKillip, must you be so awesome?”
Because she just writes so. goddamn. well. and every story is crammed full of the kind of detail that made me fall in love with Riddlemaster, and I plowed through the entire book in an embarrassingly short time.
I personally wasn’t 100% sold on a few of them, including “The Kelpie,” which everyone else on Goodreads seems to...more
Because she just writes so. goddamn. well. and every story is crammed full of the kind of detail that made me fall in love with Riddlemaster, and I plowed through the entire book in an embarrassingly short time.
I personally wasn’t 100% sold on a few of them, including “The Kelpie,” which everyone else on Goodreads seems to...more
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I usually don't read short story collections. They are often uneven in quality and I prefer a longer format. But Patricia McKillip is an author I particularly admire, so I gave her recent story collection a read.
As I expected, the quality of the stories varies quite a bit. Some held my interest and made me yearn to read more, while a few are less than enchanting. But, o the ones that sing! I was particularly taken by "The Knight of the Well", one of the longer stories. It has a mystical underpin...more
As I expected, the quality of the stories varies quite a bit. Some held my interest and made me yearn to read more, while a few are less than enchanting. But, o the ones that sing! I was particularly taken by "The Knight of the Well", one of the longer stories. It has a mystical underpin...more
I've read McKillip before - the Hed series in my youth and the most recent I remember 'ombria in shadow'. Over that stretch of time I've liked most of her work, so when I saw her name on the spine, I snagged it from the library 'new book' shelf. Over the Thanksgiving holiday I've been able to read through this collection of short stories - even read one out loud with my daughter, and I can honestly say it's a wonderful collection. Also honestly, I didnt' like all of the stories, but I find that'...more
Every so often I try to read some straight sci-fi/fantasy because I read comics, I was all up in Dragondrums and such many years ago, it just makes sense. However I can't seem to get past something in fantasy in particular: the reassuring, knowing nod that the narrator seems to make on a regular basis, like, "Aren't we having fun? Isn't it cute that I threw in this wacky detail?" like a character with a funny name or some kind of self-congratulatory silliness. The stories in this book are more i...more
I have read Patricia Mckillip’s novels before, I am certain of that but for some reason, I did not remember just how fantastic her world weaving and wordsmithery really are. Wonders of the Invisible World satisfies on so many levels that had I the time, I would have reviewed each story in the anthology because each story deserves careful, individual attention. As it is, unfortunately, I do not have the time so I shall focus on a few favourites.
“Wonders of the Invisible World”
This story is a fant...more
“Wonders of the Invisible World”
This story is a fant...more
These are the first short stories I have read by McKillip. I actually didn't realize that was what I was getting into at first! Imagine my surprise when the second chapter was in a completely different world.
This collection is beautiful, verging on an experience akin to reading an anthology of poems. Her signature style is distilled to suit the shorter format, and she applies her incredible imagination and technical skill to some unexpected ideas and themes. Very refreshing and thought-provoking...more
This collection is beautiful, verging on an experience akin to reading an anthology of poems. Her signature style is distilled to suit the shorter format, and she applies her incredible imagination and technical skill to some unexpected ideas and themes. Very refreshing and thought-provoking...more
I am smitten by this anthology, I absolutely am. It felt almost too indulgent, reading one gem after another in such quick succession. Patricia McKillip reigns supreme in the ranks of fantasy authors, because no one else has such an elegant and precise grasp on Wonder (this I capitalize for emphasis). From gleaming worlds of scientific magic to ancient kingdoms of a more natural sort of magic, telling stories about old myths and legends and planting the seeds for new ones, Wonders of the Invisib...more
An anthology of sixteen short stories about fey, magic, and fairytales with an introduction by Charles de Lindt and an essay on what inspires McKillip.
My Take
This was a mixed bag of huh-what and wonderful. Sadly, McKillip says she has come to the end of this type of fey story. If she is, then she's gone out with a whisper and not a bang.
The Stories
"Wonders of the Invisible World" is time traveling science fiction with a researcher wanting Cotton Mather's emotions. It's a quick blip into two worl...more
My Take
This was a mixed bag of huh-what and wonderful. Sadly, McKillip says she has come to the end of this type of fey story. If she is, then she's gone out with a whisper and not a bang.
The Stories
"Wonders of the Invisible World" is time traveling science fiction with a researcher wanting Cotton Mather's emotions. It's a quick blip into two worl...more
I was thrilled when I found out there was a new Patricia McKillip book recently released; then mildly disappointed when I found out it was a collection of previously published short stories. Not that I had read any of the stories yet, but generally, I enjoy McKillip's novels more than her short stories.
Much to my surprise, the stories in Wonders of the Invisible World were truly wonders, and rose to the heights of some of McKillip's best writing. This gifted artist paints literary landscapes ac...more
Much to my surprise, the stories in Wonders of the Invisible World were truly wonders, and rose to the heights of some of McKillip's best writing. This gifted artist paints literary landscapes ac...more
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Oct 18, 2012
J.A.
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to J.A. by:
Tachyon Publications
Shelves:
arc,
below-the-surface
I owe Charlene Brusso of Tachyon Publications for bringing Wonders of the Invisible World into my line of sight. I contacted her about getting an advance copy of The Emperor’s Soul, a new book by Brandon Sanderson, which she graciously sent me. Then she asked if I would like advances of two collections: Wonders of the Invisible World and Epic. I answered in the affirmative and she sent them along as well. I’m grateful for her suggestion, as I wouldn’t have picked them up otherwise. This cover ar...more
Reading this book was like swimming with dolphins or finding a rainbow in your garden. The sense of wonder, the poetry of McKillip's sentences, the beautiful sense of stories still untold, all just sweep me away from the mundane world. I always grab her books at the first chance. This one did not disappoint. I particularly liked The Kelpie and Knight of the Well, but you will find your own jewels here. So---what are you dawdling for? Go grab it for yourself and ride the tide to Faerie!
Oct 29, 2012
Branwen
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone who loves well-written fantasy
Shelves:
fantasy-science-fiction
Patricia McKillip is hands down one of the best fantasy writers out there. Her writing is absolutely delicious, I wish I could swallow her books whole and just digest all of her beautiful wording and descriptions. Her books are all about senses and feeling. She can create an image with her words that can just melt your heart and send your spirit soaring into realms yet unimagined. I highly HIGHLY recommend her books, and this book of short stories, if you are looking for gorgeous fantasy.
I really enjoyed these stories. I think I liked "The Kelpie," "Byndley" and "Knight of the Well" best. Predictable choices, maybe. They are stories that are close to her longer fiction in their tone and their fantasy worlds. Well, the first one is set among Pre-Raphaelite artists. "Byndley" in particular was lovely and I felt contained many of the motifs of McKillip's type of magic writing. Also, because I loved the ending of this one.
Virtually all of these stories are perfect. A few are unforgettable. Some, to be sure, fizzle out and don't live up to their initial promise, but not many. I raced through this collection, wishing there were more stories, longer stories, and indeed more doors I could open into these magical worlds. McKillip is one of the best fantasy writers going. Her invention is unflagging, and her imaginary worlds utterly delightful.
I quite enjoyed this book. An anthology of short stories by Patricia McKillip, it wanders through many settings and worlds. I'd read some of the stories before, but I enjoyed reading them again, and I was particularly enthralled by the several stories in an urban or modern setting, as McKillip tends to the straight fantasy.
Patricia McKillip is one of my favorite writers of fantasy. Many of the stories in this collection, written over the last decade or so, were previously published in YA anthologies; none are original to Wonders of the Invisible World, though nearly all were well worth re-reading for me. I hope she has another novel on the way.
A delicious selection of short stories, haunting and funny and touching and frightening by turns. I had read one of McKillip's books before, and like it, but this is the one that makes me want to read everything she's ever written.
The essay at the end of the book, aka her speech at WisCon 2004, made me cry.
The essay at the end of the book, aka her speech at WisCon 2004, made me cry.
Patricia McKillip is an amazing fantasy writer but in this piece she weaves a bit of darkness and edge that are usually absent from her customary lovely fairy tales and it works! The intro by Charles de Lint is both lovely and completely heartwarming in its completely open display of fan fondness for McKillip's work.
A delightful trek through strange and wonderful worlds. Also an excellent exploration of the short story genre--each story leaves you with the exact amount of feeling necessary to resonate beautifully. Not the most robust or sophisticated collection out there, but it was truly a good fun romp of a read.
A collection of short stories with a magical/supernatural bent. My responses to the stories varied from "Huh?," to I liked it, to I wish the story was fleshed out to a novel as I didn't want it to end.
Love! I worried since short stories aren't my favorite that I wouldn't enjoy this as much as I wanted to. A couple of the stories (of course) didn't entirely satisfy but most were fabulous. Love her voice.
I would have rated this four stars, but I didn't care for most of the "contemporary" stories, even skipped some of them entirely. But the purely fantasy stories were great - especially the longer ones - "The Kelpie" and "Knight of the Well".
Wonderfully spun and crafted short stories with the theme of things unseen running throughout. I couldn't put this book down and hated to see it end. Absolutely fantastic!
A fantasy short story collection as always beautifully written as you would expect by McKillip - though with the occasional story that perhaps has less content than it ought. Odd to have read as many as 3 of these before - I guess I've been reading more fantasy anthologies of late than I thought (The Green Man, Essential Bordertown and Faerie Reel). I guess my only complaint is that I liked to be knocked over by stories and these are more like pretty baubles. 3.5 of 5.
An absolute triumph! This collection of short stories has changed the way I look at the fantasy genre. McKillip makes me feel as if I am in a dream and am woken suddenly at the end of each exquisite tale. I loved this book, and highly recommend it to anyone needing a refreshing, well written piece of literature to fall in to.
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Patricia Anne McKillip is an American author of fantasy and science fiction novels, distinguished by lyrical, delicate prose and careful attention to detail and characterization. She is a past winner of the World Fantasy Award and Locus Award, and she lives in Oregon. Most of her recent novels have cover paintings by Kinuko Y. Craft. She is married to David Lunde, a poet.
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