One of our most universal myths is that of the Green Man, the spirit who stands for Nature in its most wild and untamed form. Through the ages and ...
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Jan 26, 2012
Nialle
rated it: 
A few words on The Green Man. The words are as follows: Disappointing, undiverse, and adolescent. I picked up the book because I find fascinating both "the green man" as mythological figure and the carved figures of people with faces made of or exuding leaves, some of which date back before the common era (not the same; the two were conflated in the early 20th century by an amateur folklorist, and kudos to editor Terri Windling for explaining this in her informative introduction). Amon
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Nov 14, 2010
Jane
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This is a very interesting collection of short stories and poems about the Green Man, the mythical spirit of the forest who can be found in folklore from many cultures and origins worldwide. I have a hard time with short stories, because if they're good, I don't want them to end as soon as they do. I encountered this problem with several of the short stories in this book: They were good, and they left me wanting more.
This book contains a paragraph or two at the end of each story about t More...
This book contains a paragraph or two at the end of each story about t More...
Apr 24, 2009
Purplycookie
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Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling have paid true homage to the spirit of the Green Man in this anthology: "In this book, we've asked the writers to journey deep into the Mythic Forest, to bring back tales of those wild lands, and of the creatures who dwell within them. Thus in these pages you'll find witches, wolves, dryads, deer men, a faery or two, and numerous magical spirits of nature..."
This anthology of the spirit who symbolizes nature includes stories by:
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This anthology of the spirit who symbolizes nature includes stories by:
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Feb 06, 2012
Katarina
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The Green Man is an excellent anthology of fantasy stories, each incorporating--you guessed it-- the green man figure. Not sure what/who the green man is? There's an essay at the beginning discussing the history and prevalence of the green man legends! There are stories for just about everyone-- ones set in our world with a fantasy twist, or ones in other worlds; there are fairytale retellings, and pop culture references. It also serves as an excellent way to familiarize yourself with a rang
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Feb 02, 2012
Cheryl in CC NV
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I've never met an anthology that wasn't a mixed bag. And I don't really have much more to say about this.
I guess I can say that they all seemed a bit full of themselves and the 'mutual admiration society' attitude got old.
I can say that none of the authors who were new to me tempted me with this story to look for more of their work - but I can't say why and most certainly YMMV.
I can say that I put only two bookdarts in it:
1. I loved this desc More...
I guess I can say that they all seemed a bit full of themselves and the 'mutual admiration society' attitude got old.
I can say that none of the authors who were new to me tempted me with this story to look for more of their work - but I can't say why and most certainly YMMV.
I can say that I put only two bookdarts in it:
1. I loved this desc More...
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Sep 08, 2010
Melanie
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This book was a complete mixed bag of hauntingly beautiful short stories I hoped would never end to ones I couldn't wait to finish. There are poems too but I bought the book for the stories.
The highlights to me were:
Somewhere in my Mind there is a Painting Box by Charles De Lint. I don't think this man can write badly. The romantic in me wanted a different ending but his was right for the characters and situation.
Hunter's Moon by Patricia A. McKillip. I wante More...
The highlights to me were:
Somewhere in my Mind there is a Painting Box by Charles De Lint. I don't think this man can write badly. The romantic in me wanted a different ending but his was right for the characters and situation.
Hunter's Moon by Patricia A. McKillip. I wante More...
Jan 19, 2011
Heather
rated it:
TBR Challenge, book #1. I'm taking part in Wendy the Super Librarian's TBR challenge for 2011, in which monthly I'll pull out a book from deep, deep in my TBR pile. She has themes listed each month, but mine won't follow those. I've noticed that most of my oldest TBRs are straight fantasy, go figure.
I received GREEN MAN free at the World Fantasy con in 2006, so it's been sitting on my shelf for a while.
My husband says I am part Druid, so it's no wonder I really liked this More...
I received GREEN MAN free at the World Fantasy con in 2006, so it's been sitting on my shelf for a while.
My husband says I am part Druid, so it's no wonder I really liked this More...
Oct 30, 2009
Stephanie
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I found this rather young adult for my taste, and from around the halfway point I started skipping through the stories looking for something different and generally lost interest.
I enjoyed the Tanith Lee story (I always do enjoy her work) but overall most of the short stories lacked the touch of darkness that I was looking for.
I fear I have been spoiled by reading Robert Holdstock's The Bone Forest. I was hoping for something along those lines, but I was disappointed.
I enjoyed the Tanith Lee story (I always do enjoy her work) but overall most of the short stories lacked the touch of darkness that I was looking for.
I fear I have been spoiled by reading Robert Holdstock's The Bone Forest. I was hoping for something along those lines, but I was disappointed.
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May 26, 2011
Annalee
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A beautiful collection of mythic short stories(with the exclusion of two). I loved the introduction, which I usually skip in most books. This one, however, was very informative and interesting. I also like that at the end of each story or poem they give you a little info about that author. I've found many new authors that I like as well as books by them that I've added to my "to-read" shelf. I would give this book 5 out of 5 stars, but there were two stories in particular that did not
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Jan 24, 2012
Diane
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Fascinating and insightful book that traces the Green Man archetype in all of its myriad forms and expressions. What makes this discussion the most compelling to me is the idea that perhaps within each of us is a longing for wildness, regardless of how civilized and comfortable we become, and it is that yearning for nature that makes us want to follow the Green Man into the woods and other surprising places...
Jul 15, 2010
Emily (Lihua Lili)
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This collection of short stories incorporates the most otherworldly of settings, settings that we as human beings will recognize as the green shade of a forest. Each story offers that painful taste of being inside something beautiful and ethereal, something rich and wraithlike and melancholy, but being, also, not quite able to touch it. It will leave all of its readers with the stirrings of poetical longing.
Sep 03, 2010
Abby
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Just ran across this at a little book shop. Funny how books find you (and as I just moved to the woods, this one found me at the perfect time). Saving it for cooler weather. Wish it would come soon!
So, I could not wait for the cooler weather. I have read about half of the stories already. They are wonderful. I am really loving this collection (turns out, these editors do a ton of anthologies). And I may have found an idea for a Halloween costume.
This is a lovely, lively c More...
So, I could not wait for the cooler weather. I have read about half of the stories already. They are wonderful. I am really loving this collection (turns out, these editors do a ton of anthologies). And I may have found an idea for a Halloween costume.
This is a lovely, lively c More...
Nov 17, 2008
Kathleen
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This one's been on my "to read" shelf for years, and I just now got around to it...the short stories/poems are something of a mixed bag, depending on personal taste. There were a lot more modern takes on the Green Man legends than I thought there would be--and since urban fantasy isn't entirely my cup of tea, I would have appreciated a wider variety than what the editors put together.
That's not to say that the stories themselves aren't good...there's some recognizable names More...
That's not to say that the stories themselves aren't good...there's some recognizable names More...
Sep 16, 2009
Kris
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Fans of Vess's illustrations will be disappointed -- he's confined to small banners at the beginning of each story. However, there are some fantastic stories in here by great writers, and I found a few new writers I'll be following as well. (How did it take me so long to discover Snyder?) This is definitely worth picking up.
Jan 30, 2009
Cindy
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I just found this collection of short stories at the library and it looked like fun. Like most collections, I really liked some of the stories, some were fun, but nothing special, and some were not my style at all. I did find some new authors to read - Tanith Lee and M. Shayne Bell both had stories I really enjoyed.
Oct 15, 2010
Autumn
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One of my all time favorite fairies and elves collections. I loved every short story in this collection. I was turned onto this book of short stories because Charles Vess (my favorite illustrator) helped edit it and also provided the decorations. Very intriguing, mythic stories. Five moss covered stars from me!
Aug 14, 2010
Julia
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First off, I was disappointed by the de Lint story in this anthology; I’d just read it in Waifs and Strays and it hadn’t been a favorite there. Oh well.
I liked “Charlie’s Away” by Midori Snyder about a teenager who lives on the edge of a forest who thinks he’s keeping his family together after the death of his sister.
“Grounded” by Nina Kiriki Hoffman is about a teenager who wants to hate the man her Mom is dating, but he’s a really good guy...
“Joshua Tr More...
I liked “Charlie’s Away” by Midori Snyder about a teenager who lives on the edge of a forest who thinks he’s keeping his family together after the death of his sister.
“Grounded” by Nina Kiriki Hoffman is about a teenager who wants to hate the man her Mom is dating, but he’s a really good guy...
“Joshua Tr More...
Aug 23, 2009
Wendy
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The only problem with short stories is that you really want some of them to go on . . . ! My favorites in this collection were "Hunter's Moon," by Patricia McKillip (of course) and "Grounded," by Nina Kiriki Hoffman. "Joshua Tree," by Emma Bull, was also notable for concept & narrative voice.
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May 15, 2009
Hallie
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I loved the introduction possibly even more than any individual story in this, but would have to reread them all to comment properly on that. Remember I really liked Emma Bull's story and Nina Kiriki Hoffman's, but was disappointed in Patricia McKillip (though she did good forest, as always!).
Feb 23, 2010
Token Female Gamer
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I'm not the biggest short story fan and in a collection like this is becomes even more apparent. Many of the stories do not really appeal to me and then those that do I find painfully short.
Its nice that the editors chose stories that spanned a good deal of variety in the "Green Man" genre, but again, it also means that not all of them spoke to me.
Never the less I finished the book, though I'm not finding myself drawn to any of the particular authors.
Its nice that the editors chose stories that spanned a good deal of variety in the "Green Man" genre, but again, it also means that not all of them spoke to me.
Never the less I finished the book, though I'm not finding myself drawn to any of the particular authors.
Aug 23, 2009
My short story "Ali Angugne o Chash" appeared in this anthology- ,many didn't "get it" but I'm glad the editors did. Datlow & Windling have done some great work in publishing authors with very different backgrounds in the best of speculative fiction.
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Oct 02, 2010
piratemoon
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I really enjoy tales of the fae, and anything to do with the Green Man. This was a mixed bag, but there were some lovely stories in here, as well as some which were a little YA for my taste. But the beautiful decoration and the stories which WERE good, and poetic, and beautiful, and clever really were.
Apr 29, 2009
My friend Aine urged me to take this out from the library, but at the time I was at my 50-book limit, so I added it to my to-read list. Even though our tastes in books don't perfectly coincide, she still has excellent taste, so I hope to give this one a shot soon.
May 24, 2009
Each of these stories and poems was rich and special. They all felt like they had roots set firmly into some of the deepest and most elemental myths of the natural world. I'd have to put this set on a list for "best short story collections" in my personal library.
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Jul 29, 2010
Jenne
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A wonderfully inspired selection of short stories and poems each with their own spin on the legendary “Green Man”. Find here a teenage girl plays a deadly game with the Queen of Central Park, a boy who risks his own life to help in a war, two girls who wish for their lives to change with unexpected results and many more.
The tales range from humorous to untamed and mystical, but each contains the power and mystery of the forest. The Green Man will take you from New York to Arizona, fr More...
The tales range from humorous to untamed and mystical, but each contains the power and mystery of the forest. The Green Man will take you from New York to Arizona, fr More...
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Jul 18, 2011
Cait
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Brilliant knock-me-down story from Kathe Koja. Damn, when she's on, she's on.
Also good: Emma Bull, Charles de Lint, Tanith Lee, Katherine Vaz.
Somewhat disappointing: Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Carolyn Dunn.
Already read: M. Shayne Bell.
Also good: Emma Bull, Charles de Lint, Tanith Lee, Katherine Vaz.
Somewhat disappointing: Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Carolyn Dunn.
Already read: M. Shayne Bell.
Jan 30, 2009
Kevin
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Wonderful stories about magic in the real world. Urban fantasy isn't my preference, but the high-quality writing made up for it. Great variety and arrangement.
Sep 27, 2007
Genevieve
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This is one of those sad occasions where I really really really wish I could just rate each story/poem individually :) Compilations are fussy that way, no? The theme of this collection was fun, and of COURSE I loved the illustrations (Charles Vess is the entire reason I checked the book out!)... but, sadly, a couple of the stories just weren't 5-star standard. Sigh. The majority were fantastic, and I was pleasantly surprised to see a tale from one of my favorite authors, Nina Kiriki Hoffman,
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Jul 05, 2009
Rose
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The introduction is amazing: full of book references, tracing the mythic forest from the ancients to Jane Yolen. I'm tempted to build a year's reading around it.
Feb 05, 2012
Kate
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This is a nice collection of short stories, obviously some are better than others, but it was a good source of 5-page pre-bedtime stories.
