Once More into the Abyss

Stan #3

by Dennis Danvers

Once More Into The Abyss by Dennis Danvers is the last of three novelettes about Stan, whose parents claimed to be aliens and either perished or went home via an abyss in the middle of New Mexico. Stan is drawn back to the Abyss when his wife is offered a job there studying alien artifacts. So Stan and his family (wife, son, brother and three dogs) take a road trip.

Edited by Ellen Datlow

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 13, 2016

Reviews

[Amy (Other Amy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know I sound crazy. I’ve honed the skill over the years, along with a near total disinterest in what others may think of me. It’s one of the major perks to being an old fart, and don’t underestimate its value. Wish I’d learned the skill years ago.

A very fitting end for the trilogy. Don't read it without reading the other two first.

Available free online at Tor.com

[Kieran McAndrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stan's wife gets a job as an archaeologist at the site of the abyss their parents died at. Stan, Ollie and the family move down to New Mexico in hope of an impossible reunion.

A poignant story about growing old, but holding onto the importance of life. The characters aren't particularly subtle, but the plot is.

[Tom Loock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I suggest to NOT read the brief descriptions of parts 2 and 3 on Goodreads because the text is so short, it does contain spoilers.

However this was planned, published and distributed, don't be fooled into thinking these are even three stories, let alone novelettes: the 'Stan'-series, as Goodreads calls them ('Abyss' would have been more appropriate I think) is one long story published in three segments and can easily be read in an hour or less.

If you like Danvers' writing as much I do, particularly the most excellent 'Bad Angels', you will know what to expect - heavy on the mainstream (strong characterisation, relationships, careful story construction) with a healthy touch of the fantastic and definitely more proper literature than young adult adventure.

I do not want to talk about the storyline itself, other than to say I was less impressed immediately after I finished reading, but have been thinking about it and appreciate it more.

[Maggie Gordon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, that was an ending to this trio of short stories. It wasn't particularly satisfying or even sensible. Not sure why the protagonist had the option of dying immediately or being a burden at some vague point in the future. Couldn't he have just... wandered off into the abyss at a later point instead of throwing himself in without even saying goodbye? Also, glorifying someone who kills themselves to not be a burden on others is so horribly problematic and gross. Ugg... I convinced myself to lower the rating for this story. The trilogy had an intriguing beginning, but I really could not get behind the last two that had none of the original mystery of the first.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last in the Stan novelettes, this really is the best one. It's funny and very touching in the end.

[Marco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once More into the Abyss is the third and last installment of the "Stan" series, started with Adult Children of Alien Beings, and continued with Orphan Pirates of the Spanish Main.
The entire series is made by short sci-fi novelette, where the sci-fi element seems is more a narrative expedient, or a delusion of the main character. This third book regains some of the magic of the first part, that was lost in the second, and close Stan's saga with a touching (yet a little disturbing) ending.
Stan's wife get a new job, that brings the entire extended family to the mysterious abyss where their parents either perished or went back to their alien home among the stars.

[Kyra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely little read which reflects on alienness and human nature. Highly recommended.