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Telling the Map
There are ten stories here including one readers have waited ten long years for: in new novel-la The Border State Rowe revisits the world of his much-lauded story The Voluntary State. Competitive cyclists twins Michael and Maggie have trained all their lives to race internationally. One thing holds them back: their mother who years before crossed the border … into Tennessee.
Christopher Rowe’s stories have been finalists for the Hugo, Nebula, World Fantasy, and Theodore Sturgeon awards, frequently reprinted, translated into a half-dozen languages, praised by the New York Times Book Review, and long listed in the Best American Short Stories. He holds an MFA from the Bluegrass Writer’s Studio. Rowe and his wife Gwenda Bond co-write the Supernormal Sleuthing Series for children, and reside in a hundred-year-old house in Lexington, Kentucky.
Christopher Rowe’s stories have been finalists for the Hugo, Nebula, World Fantasy, and Theodore Sturgeon awards, frequently reprinted, translated into a half-dozen languages, praised by the New York Times Book Review, and long listed in the Best American Short Stories. He holds an MFA from the Bluegrass Writer’s Studio. Rowe and his wife Gwenda Bond co-write the Supernormal Sleuthing Series for children, and reside in a hundred-year-old house in Lexington, Kentucky.
288 pages, Paperback
First published July 17, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 21, 2017
A collection of mind-boggling stories from the boggling mind of Christopher Rowe. You think you know where you are -- well, it's usually Kentucky -- and that you have a grasp on what's going on, and then a car nuzzles someone for comfort, or a betting clerk hovers in the air beside the protagonist, or a telephone has to be killed. The stories are fresh and the narrative voices delightful, but it's the world-building details that absolutely slay me.
July 1, 2017
3.5 stars
I had only read one of Christopher Rowe’s stories before, so I didn’t really know what to expect from this book, and although there were a couple of stories that didn’t grab me, it has left a pleasant taste in my mouth.
Telling the Maps is a varied collection that compiles ten pieces of different lengths (from flash-fiction to novella), styles and genres. Most of the stories (the strongest ones, in my opinion) can be classified as science fiction, Kentucky-dystopian science fiction more specifically in several cases, with a few and interesting examples of religious dystopian science fiction, like Rowe’s award-nominated “Another Word for Map Is Faith”, my highlight from the book.
I also enjoyed “The Voluntary State”, another of Rowe’s more popular stories, in which he describes another weird and intriguing dystopian world that in my opinion was too complex and new for a piece of this length, making the story a bit confusing and too centered in the world-building to the detriment of the plot and characters. On the contrary, the “The Border State”, a new novella that takes up the second half of this collection, set in this same world, was the perfect length to continue discovering this society in a more relaxed and enjoyable way, and it was my second highlight in this volume thanks to those threatening and disturbing rivers and despite the fact that I don’t like cycling at all.
Overall, an interesting collection that I would recommend to any science fiction fan, and the perfect way to start discovering Rowe’s short fiction.
I had only read one of Christopher Rowe’s stories before, so I didn’t really know what to expect from this book, and although there were a couple of stories that didn’t grab me, it has left a pleasant taste in my mouth.
Telling the Maps is a varied collection that compiles ten pieces of different lengths (from flash-fiction to novella), styles and genres. Most of the stories (the strongest ones, in my opinion) can be classified as science fiction, Kentucky-dystopian science fiction more specifically in several cases, with a few and interesting examples of religious dystopian science fiction, like Rowe’s award-nominated “Another Word for Map Is Faith”, my highlight from the book.
I also enjoyed “The Voluntary State”, another of Rowe’s more popular stories, in which he describes another weird and intriguing dystopian world that in my opinion was too complex and new for a piece of this length, making the story a bit confusing and too centered in the world-building to the detriment of the plot and characters. On the contrary, the “The Border State”, a new novella that takes up the second half of this collection, set in this same world, was the perfect length to continue discovering this society in a more relaxed and enjoyable way, and it was my second highlight in this volume thanks to those threatening and disturbing rivers and despite the fact that I don’t like cycling at all.
Overall, an interesting collection that I would recommend to any science fiction fan, and the perfect way to start discovering Rowe’s short fiction.
February 19, 2022
I had high hopes for this 2017 collection, based on my fond memories of the novelette "The Voluntary State," (2004) which I first read (I think) in the Dozois Year's Best for 2005. That's a surreal future history of Tennessee, fortunately also available online at https://www.lexal.net/scifi/scifictio... -- you may find it easier to read this if you copy the text and paste it into a blank page. A 4+ star story that's not like anything else I've ever read, really. You will learn a new meaning for "Bears in the air." Highly recommended. Rowe's collection includes another story in that universe, "The Border State," a novella first published here. It's a story about a weird bicycle race. Didn't work for me, sadly.
The opening story, "The Contrary Gardener", is an oddball story about gardening and the Kentucky Derby. Good one: 3 stars or a bit better. Online here: https://www.baen.com/Chapters/9781597...
The rest of the collection? Well, I tried about half of those, finished none and gave up. I'd read more by Rowe, but if I were you, I'd read the two good stories I link above, and let the rest go by. Life is too short.... Based on the two good stories, I'm rating the collection at 2.5 stars and rounding up. My public library had the ebook and perhaps yours will too.
The opening story, "The Contrary Gardener", is an oddball story about gardening and the Kentucky Derby. Good one: 3 stars or a bit better. Online here: https://www.baen.com/Chapters/9781597...
The rest of the collection? Well, I tried about half of those, finished none and gave up. I'd read more by Rowe, but if I were you, I'd read the two good stories I link above, and let the rest go by. Life is too short.... Based on the two good stories, I'm rating the collection at 2.5 stars and rounding up. My public library had the ebook and perhaps yours will too.
July 4, 2019
Nice writing, enjoyable read, but it just didn't grab me. The quirky nanotech stuff reminds me of Kathleen Ann Noonan's Nanotech series (which did grab me).
July 25, 2017
An impressive and beguiling collection of science fiction, unfolding in unexpected ways.
February 15, 2012
I simply could not get into this short story. The plot and the subject matter was far too dry for me to form even a slight interest, and I found myself zoning out throughout many parts of the story. I also had a rather difficult time forming a connection to the characters.
I wouldn't recommend this story to any Fantasy or Science Fiction lovers.
I wouldn't recommend this story to any Fantasy or Science Fiction lovers.
July 10, 2018
Wow. I wasn't expecting to like this as much as I did, but I suspect it's going to be in my top five for 2018. I stumbled across it in the shelving cart at the library and recognized the first story (The Contrary Gardner) from a "years best sci-fi" anthology.
Many of the stories have a southern/rural bent, and that's something I don't come across much in sci-fi. One reviewer called it "near future rural dystopian", another "splendidly weird and wonderful and heartrending"; both are very accurate, IMHO. It sounds odd, and probably not something I would normally gravitate to, but Rowe's storytelling and world building is incredible.
I hate pulling out the "literary sci-fi" backhanded complement, but it came to mind immediately. The stories were lean and character focused. They stood on their own and didn't focus on technology or exposition except where it was absolutely necessary for the story. AI and nanotechnology play a big part of the two standout stories (The Voluntary State, and The Border State), but Rowe hardly devotes more than a few sentences describing them and doesn't really need to. That's not to say that they're devoid of tech - both of those stories have some of the most far out and creative world building I've seen. It just doesn't take center stage.
Many of the stories have a southern/rural bent, and that's something I don't come across much in sci-fi. One reviewer called it "near future rural dystopian", another "splendidly weird and wonderful and heartrending"; both are very accurate, IMHO. It sounds odd, and probably not something I would normally gravitate to, but Rowe's storytelling and world building is incredible.
I hate pulling out the "literary sci-fi" backhanded complement, but it came to mind immediately. The stories were lean and character focused. They stood on their own and didn't focus on technology or exposition except where it was absolutely necessary for the story. AI and nanotechnology play a big part of the two standout stories (The Voluntary State, and The Border State), but Rowe hardly devotes more than a few sentences describing them and doesn't really need to. That's not to say that they're devoid of tech - both of those stories have some of the most far out and creative world building I've seen. It just doesn't take center stage.
June 13, 2017
Reading this book is an adventure. Rowe is a creative world builder, and he weaves engrossing stories within this environment.
Rowe's world has some of the power of the best dystopias. He creates a polluted world where people build from scraps and debris (like Mad Max) and yet preserve some unaccountable classic pieces (Shakespeare in STATION ELEVEN and Greek myth in this book.) There are intricate state-supported religions. Rowe also incorporates the humor of ALICE IN WONDERLAND with quixotic rulers creating a mish-mash of reasonable and incomprehensible rules. He also has rebellions/revolutions and quixotic creatures like China Mieville.
This book would have benefitted from better editing. There are a number of awkward sentences. Although in some stories I felt like I had stumbled into somebody else's dream --What's happening here?---the book is well worth reading. I recommend it.
Rowe's world has some of the power of the best dystopias. He creates a polluted world where people build from scraps and debris (like Mad Max) and yet preserve some unaccountable classic pieces (Shakespeare in STATION ELEVEN and Greek myth in this book.) There are intricate state-supported religions. Rowe also incorporates the humor of ALICE IN WONDERLAND with quixotic rulers creating a mish-mash of reasonable and incomprehensible rules. He also has rebellions/revolutions and quixotic creatures like China Mieville.
This book would have benefitted from better editing. There are a number of awkward sentences. Although in some stories I felt like I had stumbled into somebody else's dream --What's happening here?---the book is well worth reading. I recommend it.
August 11, 2017
Have you ever read a book that even if the subject matter is not something you usually read, you love the book because the writing is so good. This is one of those books. It is a book that is not even close to anything else you have ever read. I think the closest I could compare it to is a Harlan Ellison book. The are short stories that take place in Kentucky but a Kentucky in some different dimension than the one we live in. The Contrary Gardener is the first story and I wish some day there would be more of it because I really wonder what happens after but you have to read the Voluntary State and the Border State. These stories are amazing! I don't want to live in that world but Christopher can certainly take you to visit it in a way you will never forget your visit there and you may appreciate your own life a little more. I really recommend this book even if you don't want to read it. It is one of those books that is just worth it. At least it was for me.
January 28, 2023
I picked up this collection of short stories after reading the author’s impressive novella “These Prisoning Hills”. Rowe’s unique sci-fi settings - distinctly bio-technical, distinctly American South - were captivatingly new to me, and I was eager to read more in a similar vein.
I was not disappointed. All of the stories in “Telling the Map” have Rowe’s distinctive style and voice, combining a careful study of Southern attitudes and social mores with speculation regarding how they might adapt or evolve when faced with a future filled with technological advancement. And the nature of that advancement is often grotesque in nature: living devices, enslaving nanomachines, mechanical produce, and more.
Some of the stories in “Telling the Map” feel bumpier, like the work of a less experienced author. And many of the endings do feel a bit abrupt. But overall I remain impressed by Rowe’s work, and look forward to reading more.
I was not disappointed. All of the stories in “Telling the Map” have Rowe’s distinctive style and voice, combining a careful study of Southern attitudes and social mores with speculation regarding how they might adapt or evolve when faced with a future filled with technological advancement. And the nature of that advancement is often grotesque in nature: living devices, enslaving nanomachines, mechanical produce, and more.
Some of the stories in “Telling the Map” feel bumpier, like the work of a less experienced author. And many of the endings do feel a bit abrupt. But overall I remain impressed by Rowe’s work, and look forward to reading more.
August 5, 2024
This collection of short stories offers endlessly inventive worlds that seem familiar... until the strangeness of the author's disjointed blend of technology and magic/religion and society run amok hits. It's a difficult collection to rate because the writing is excellent, the premises are intriguing, yet the characters and stories largely failed to satisfy me. I was left with the feeling that most of these were thought exercises on a phenomenal collection of writing prompts rather than stories. Virtually every story except the last two left me feeling like I had read something that is a piece of a larger whole taken out of context.
The longer last two stories, with the ending novella being nearly half the volume, are the only ones that feel like narratives rather than vignettes.
The longer last two stories, with the ending novella being nearly half the volume, are the only ones that feel like narratives rather than vignettes.
November 6, 2017
A gem of a collection, full of imaginative sff. What really struck me was the magical-realist style of the stories: we're plopped into these worlds and some of them are more familiar than others but there's always something weird going on that makes it suddenly and beautifully strange. Some stories are more tragic or beautiful or weird but all feel very real, populated by sympathetic characters and grounded in a Kentucky that is both familiar and alien. But even though the stories all share Kentucky as a sort of base setting, the stories are all very distinct.
Definitely worth the read if you're a lover of truly imaginative fiction.
Definitely worth the read if you're a lover of truly imaginative fiction.
February 14, 2018
I enjoy Christopher Rowe's stories enough that I was happy to spend money on this collection even though I had read most of the stories before. He writes wonderfully, and he creates intriguing visions of a future, often post-Singularity, America through the lens of Kentucky.
The twin centerpieces of this collection are "The Voluntary State" (originally published in 2004) and "The Border State", a brand new novella that makes up half of this collection. Both stories center around a Tennessee that's been taken over by what seems to be nano-bot technologies, but never lose sight of the fullness of the central characters in the context of the fictional world at large.
The twin centerpieces of this collection are "The Voluntary State" (originally published in 2004) and "The Border State", a brand new novella that makes up half of this collection. Both stories center around a Tennessee that's been taken over by what seems to be nano-bot technologies, but never lose sight of the fullness of the central characters in the context of the fictional world at large.
December 26, 2018
I think The Bitter Southerner recommended this as a cool sci-fi book from a southern author, and i have to agree.
Mr. Rowe is from Kentucky, and with the exception of one story set in Tennessee (a frightening TN ruled by a malevolent AI) and one set in space, the rest of the stories are set in Kentucky. But these are stories of distant futures that might be. They are all fascinating, and my only complaint it that the last work in the collection, which concerns bicycle racers fighting the evil AI in Tennessee -- that story drags a bit.
Otherwise -- Mr. Rowe has a fascinating imagination and i would love to read more set in any of these worlds that he describes.
Mr. Rowe is from Kentucky, and with the exception of one story set in Tennessee (a frightening TN ruled by a malevolent AI) and one set in space, the rest of the stories are set in Kentucky. But these are stories of distant futures that might be. They are all fascinating, and my only complaint it that the last work in the collection, which concerns bicycle racers fighting the evil AI in Tennessee -- that story drags a bit.
Otherwise -- Mr. Rowe has a fascinating imagination and i would love to read more set in any of these worlds that he describes.
June 26, 2025
Fascinating and beautiful. All of the stories seem to be set in the same world as the novella “These Prisoning Hills” (and I say seem because it’s not completely clear in all the stories but I would guess they are all part of that world) which is a very unique book. Christopher Rowe’s writing is very unique and fantastical. I would definitely call all of these stories “surreal” and “weird fiction”! Definitely a top short story collection of the year and one of my favorites. And completely bizarre!
December 3, 2017
"The Voluntary State", which I read before this book, is one of my favorite stories ever — each time I reread it I discover some new small details, and yet it tells just enough. This style comes through in the whole book.
I started to make a list of highlights, then realized almost every story is a hightlight to me. One special mention is "The Border State", which manages to add more details to the world of Voluntary State without spoiling the other story.
I started to make a list of highlights, then realized almost every story is a hightlight to me. One special mention is "The Border State", which manages to add more details to the world of Voluntary State without spoiling the other story.
January 31, 2018
Collections of short stories are not usually my thing, but these inventive stories hang together in a way that describes a strange, post-apocalyptic world without actually placing them all explicitly in the same universe. Religion, transportation, maps, and the earth of Kentucky (of some Kentucky anyway) wind their way through the tales in a unsettling but satisfying way.
February 27, 2018
Excellent collection of literary near future rural dystopian stories and novellas, most set in Kentucky. I'd list standout stories but there really aren't any bad ones. It's as if a science fiction writer shared Wendell Berry's concerns but thought that revolution was the answer. Not sure I agree but the book is highly recommended. 4.5.
May 13, 2020
I need MORE of this. NOW. I was trying to describe it to my husband, and I was all "it's a futuristic rural agrarian dystopian fiction with AI and nanotech." And it works SO WELL. The world-building is incredible in these short stories, and almost all of them connect to one another.
August 12, 2024
great collection of distopian nature & civilization short stories - sometimes had a hard time understanding the different worlds of these stories and what was going on but thought the commentary was really interesting and riveting
August 20, 2024
“Telling The Map: Stories” is a Christopher Rowe collection, 2017 Small Beer Press. My favorite story was “The Border State”, a Voluntary State novella original to this collection. My average rating for the 10 stories included was 3.76/5, or “Very good”. Recommended.
September 19, 2017
This collection of short stories is as clever as it is strange. See my full review on cabbageblossomreview.com.
July 15, 2018
I didn't care for this slight slipstream
July 24, 2019
Was definitely a fun read. Just don't think short stories are for me.
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May 1, 2023DNF @ 19%. Read the first two stories, got 3 star vibes from both, wasn't inspired to pick it up again with so many other books on my shelves.
April 7, 2025
The second story felt like it was written for my interests more than anything else I’ve ever read. Other than that most of it was just good.
July 5, 2025
I absolutely loved this book. southern Gothic Sci fi
July 18, 2015
Short story which is definitely to short - at first it's hard to get interested in the story and world created by an author. And there is no climax or any action.
September 12, 2012
This story was amazing, and totally unexpected. It was reminiscent of the setting of The Handmaid's Tale, which is a world I've always been interested in exploring more.
December 13, 2013
long listed for Best American Short Stories of 2007. Huh!!!
I must be missing something. The author can write good prose, but what the story is about?
I must be missing something. The author can write good prose, but what the story is about?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews