Mammoth Books Presents the Books

by Kage Baker

In a time beyond the apocalypse, when the remnants of society are trying to restore life to the way it once was, three young circus children go exploring in the town where the circus is camped. As they wander the empty streets they stumble upon a building they will never forget, in which floor after floor is crammed with an abundance of books. This library is heaven for these child survivors of the apocalypse, but they may not be the only ones who feel this way.

Genres: Science Fiction

16 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 27, 2012

About the author

Born June 10, 1952, in Hollywood, California, and grew up there and in Pismo Beach, present home. Spent 12 years in assorted navy blue uniforms obtaining a good parochial school education and numerous emotional scars. Rapier wit developed as defense mechanism to deflect rage of larger and more powerful children who took offense at abrasive, condescending and arrogant personality in a sickly eight-year-old. Family: 2 parents, 6 siblings, 4 nieces, 2 nephews. Husbands: 0. Children: 0.

Prior occupations: graphic artist and mural painter, several lower clerical positions which could in no way be construed as a career, and (over a period of years for the Living History Centre) playwright, bit player, director, teacher of Elizabethan English for the stage, stage manager and educational program assistant coordinator. Presently reengaged in the above-listed capacities for the LHC's triumphant reincarnation, AS YOU LIKE IT PRODUCTIONS.

20 years of total immersion research in Elizabethan as well as other historical periods has paid off handsomely in a working knowledge of period speech and details.

In spare time (ha) reads: any old sea stories by Marryat, the Aubrey-Maturin novels by Patrick O'Brien, the Hornblower books, ANYTHING by Robert Louis Stevenson, Raymond Chandler, Thorne Smith, Herman Melville (except Pierre, or the Ambiguities, which stinks) Somerset Maugham, George MacDonald Frasier.

Now happily settled in beautiful Pismo Beach, Clam Capital of the World, in charming seaside flat which is unfortunately not haunted by ghost of dashing sea captain. Avid gardener, birdwatcher, spinster aunt and Jethro Tull fan.


http://www.sfwa.org/2010/01/rip-kage-...

Reviews

[Irinel Finco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love everything that Kage Baker ever wrote. So sad that cancer took her away from us, she was an amazing talent.

[Patricia Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story by Kage Baker that I had never read before!! She was a wonderful storyteller. Wish this story had been a bit longer...but even more, I wish she and her brilliant stories were still with us.

This tale takes place many years after a devastating, worldwide pandemic. A traveling circus has come to what used to be a large city, and 3 children find a library still full of books. Such incredible joy!! This story reminds me a bit of Station Eleven...that in spite of the known world ending, for those who come after to rebuild, it is still a place of wonder. Love it!!

[Lizabeth Tucker · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Show traveled around the badly decimated U.S., providing entertainment and trade. In one larger city, three kids explore, stumbling on a library. All of them are determined to take books back with them, but it might not be that easy. This was almost like a section of a longer story, one that I'd love to read. Very intense. Baker does a marvelous job with atmosphere. 3.5 out of 5.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT story, kinda like Kage does Horseclans (kinda)..

6/26/2014
re-read aloud to Lisa 1\8\2015