The Cat's Pajamas and Other Stories

by James K. Morrow

Terminal baptism, erotic performance art, and voodoo economics with actual voodoo are just a few of the subjects that James Morrow tackles with humor and sharp criticism in this collection of science fiction stories. Other outlandish tales include John Wayne battling cancer using a highly alternative therapy, a gene for integrity being harvested from the brain of an unwilling donor, and the landing of Christopher Columbus in modern-day Manhattan. Included are the Locus and Nebula Award-nominated novelette Auspicious Eggs and several previously unpublished pieces.

Contents

Introduction by Michael Swanwick
“Auspicious Eggs”
“Come Back, Dr. Sarcophagus”
“Director’s Cut”
“Fucking Justice”
“Isabella of Castile Answers Her Mail”
“Martyrs of the Upshot Knothole”
“The Cat’s Pajamas”
“The Eye That Never Blinks”
“The Fate of Nations”
“The War of the Worldviews”
“The Wisdom of the Skin”
“The Zombies of Montrose”

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, Collections, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Ebooks

262 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2004

About the author

Born in 1947, James Kenneth Morrow has been writing fiction ever since he, as a seven-year-old living in the Philadelphia suburbs, dictated “The Story of the Dog Family” to his mother, who dutifully typed it up and bound the pages with yarn. This three-page, six-chapter fantasy is still in the author’s private archives. Upon reaching adulthood, Jim produced nine novels of speculative fiction, including the critically acclaimed Godhead Trilogy. He has won the World Fantasy Award (for Only Begotten Daughter and Towing Jehovah), the Nebula Award (for “Bible Stories for Adults, No. 17: The Deluge” and the novella City of Truth), and the Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award (for the novella Shambling Towards Hiroshima). A fulltime fiction writer, Jim makes his home in State College, Pennsylvania, with his wife, his son, an enigmatic sheepdog, and a loopy beagle. He is hard at work on a novel about Darwinism and its discontents.

Reviews

[Matt Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stories contained in “The Cat’s Pajamas” certainly aren’t for everyone, but if you enjoy the absurd, the bizarre, the downright nonsensical you will enjoy this book. Part sci-fi, part political commentary, and all off-the-wall, Morrow’s style is unlike anything I’ve read before. Like Salvador Dali, Morrow paints his fantasies with realistic strokes, thereby enhancing their outrageousness.

[Adam Meek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hit and miss, really enjoyed Martyrs of The Upshot Knothole and Come Back, Dr. Sarcophagus! while the anti-Catholic Auspicious Eggs left me cold. Morrow isn't afraid to let his liberal politics show; sometimes, but definitely not always, to a story's detriment.

[Alexburchee · Rating 5 out of 5]

As ever, clever, original and brilliantly written.

[Jeff Durkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun set of high-concept sci fi stories, usually with a philosophical twist.

[Brian Bohmueller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I preferred Morrows' other collection of shorts. Reality by Other Means: The Best Short Fiction of James Morrow.

Stiill, there were a few shorts in this one I found worthy: Martyrs of the Upshot Knothole, Fucking Justice, and Isabella of Castile Answers Her Mail.

[Zan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sadly, I couldn't make myself finish this one. Morrow's mighty towers of erudition defeated me.

[gabrielle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I put this down after the first two stories; I just couldn't take any more.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.greenmanreview.com/book/bo...

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, I liked this short-story collection. I didn't think it was as good as "Bible Stories For Adults." However, if you're looking for some fun, sci-fi stories, they're pretty good.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good collection of short stories. Most have the usual Morrow bent, which I enjoy. That is also to say don't look for happy, clean endings...

[Ralph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uneven. I may just be more critical of collections these days.