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Second Thoughts: More Queer and Weird Stories
In acclaimed author Steve Berman's second collection of thirteen stories and essays, he again guides readers through the darker pathways of his imagination. These are stories of the scent of loneliness enticing odd children to eat away a fussy caretaker's historic house; a depressed accountant turns to monster hunting; and a young lover's temptation by handsome nursery rhyme. After each tale Berman provides a tangential author note that offers insight into his past trysts as well as his fears and dreams.
212 pages, Paperback
First published August 7, 2008
2 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Steve Berman
109 books129 followersSome tidbits about me...
I turned down a scholarship to Miskatonic University because I heard of the high rate of incidents against the student population.
I briefly worked for Omni Consumer Products in their Marketing Department. Great benefits, nice cafeteria, sadly too prone to executive whim.
Last year I stayed at the noted Mauna Pele resort in Hawaii. The accommodations were impressive but my traveling companion disappeared soon after wanting to attend a pig roast.
I've slept with one minor porn star and with a guy who later became one.
And I happen to have written some fanfic that inspired the memorable holodeck scene in Star Trek: Hidden Frontiers episode "Vigil"
I turned down a scholarship to Miskatonic University because I heard of the high rate of incidents against the student population.
I briefly worked for Omni Consumer Products in their Marketing Department. Great benefits, nice cafeteria, sadly too prone to executive whim.
Last year I stayed at the noted Mauna Pele resort in Hawaii. The accommodations were impressive but my traveling companion disappeared soon after wanting to attend a pig roast.
I've slept with one minor porn star and with a guy who later became one.
And I happen to have written some fanfic that inspired the memorable holodeck scene in Star Trek: Hidden Frontiers episode "Vigil"
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 2, 2010
This highly unique and masterfully written collection of short stories delivers a mixture of fantasy, horror, and fairytale. Often these elements are incorporated into a story inspired from common actions and giving rise to an imaginative world based on a different reality. After each short story is an author’s note that sometimes offers his explanation for the inspiration and sometimes is a narrative with no bearing on the previous story. Both the stories and notes are fascinating and compelling in their own right but not necessarily related, thus creating a larger collection within the book than originally intended. Either way, this is a fabulous group of stories and thoughts which will change upon each reading.
The subjects vary amongst the stories and notes, which also cast doubt on the veracity of the notes themselves. No doubt the narratives offered also contain some elements of fantasy and whimsy. Some of the inspiration that comes through repeatedly is an unrequited love interest of the author’s and the stark, lingering impact of such strong feelings. The undeniable romantic edge to the stories shines through brightest in the powerful story of young temptation based on a fairytale “Bittersweet” and the brilliant, futuristic tale “Tear Jerker.”
A few stories certainly stood out from the rest but there were no bad offerings in this diverse collection. The stunningly creative and witty alternate universe of “Caught by Skin” pops out from the collection, as does the note afterwards. This story is set in a reality where plastic surgery is the norm and gay men constantly remake themselves into the latest in fashionable faces. The twist at the end was slightly sad with a hint of hope, as with most of the stories. Also notable is “Always Listen to a Good Pair of Underwear” for its humor and delightful imagination. The peek-a-boo boxers who alternatively tease and taunt with forbidden flesh give a fun, tongue in cheek story with a cartoonish edge.
“A Rotten Obligation” is possibly my favorite of the group, though it’s hard to choose as some of the author’s notes could vie for that title as well. Here a young gay hustler is distracted from an obligation by a pretty young busboy. The mix of paranormal, romance, and reality all blend to create a witty and entertaining story with a great twist at the end. The snappy dialogue and quirky premise has me sorry the tale had to end and wondering about what came before and after the scene. This is the best kind of story that can spark the imagination of the reader as well.
The writing itself lacks any lyrical elegance but instead is able to evoke emotion and chills with simple turns of phrase and the highly original worlds of alternate reality. The style of writing changes often within the collection; sometimes narrative, sometimes fantasy and always giving entertaining dialogue with a punchy impact. The prose is sparse without unnecessary words and has an ease to the reading quality, compelling and engrossing the reader from the start. Although the material is not always light with numerous touches of horror and dark fantasy, humor and creative imagery are woven into the darkest of stories.
Fans of short stories will definitely want to read this collection, more than once. In no way is this collection limited to gay fiction but instead offer characters with gay sensibilities in a highly innovative reality.
The subjects vary amongst the stories and notes, which also cast doubt on the veracity of the notes themselves. No doubt the narratives offered also contain some elements of fantasy and whimsy. Some of the inspiration that comes through repeatedly is an unrequited love interest of the author’s and the stark, lingering impact of such strong feelings. The undeniable romantic edge to the stories shines through brightest in the powerful story of young temptation based on a fairytale “Bittersweet” and the brilliant, futuristic tale “Tear Jerker.”
A few stories certainly stood out from the rest but there were no bad offerings in this diverse collection. The stunningly creative and witty alternate universe of “Caught by Skin” pops out from the collection, as does the note afterwards. This story is set in a reality where plastic surgery is the norm and gay men constantly remake themselves into the latest in fashionable faces. The twist at the end was slightly sad with a hint of hope, as with most of the stories. Also notable is “Always Listen to a Good Pair of Underwear” for its humor and delightful imagination. The peek-a-boo boxers who alternatively tease and taunt with forbidden flesh give a fun, tongue in cheek story with a cartoonish edge.
“A Rotten Obligation” is possibly my favorite of the group, though it’s hard to choose as some of the author’s notes could vie for that title as well. Here a young gay hustler is distracted from an obligation by a pretty young busboy. The mix of paranormal, romance, and reality all blend to create a witty and entertaining story with a great twist at the end. The snappy dialogue and quirky premise has me sorry the tale had to end and wondering about what came before and after the scene. This is the best kind of story that can spark the imagination of the reader as well.
The writing itself lacks any lyrical elegance but instead is able to evoke emotion and chills with simple turns of phrase and the highly original worlds of alternate reality. The style of writing changes often within the collection; sometimes narrative, sometimes fantasy and always giving entertaining dialogue with a punchy impact. The prose is sparse without unnecessary words and has an ease to the reading quality, compelling and engrossing the reader from the start. Although the material is not always light with numerous touches of horror and dark fantasy, humor and creative imagery are woven into the darkest of stories.
Fans of short stories will definitely want to read this collection, more than once. In no way is this collection limited to gay fiction but instead offer characters with gay sensibilities in a highly innovative reality.
July 11, 2016
In the last few years, I've been wary of short story collections all from one author. In general, I find that no matter how good the writing is, inevitably, the voice and concept of the stories start
to blur together and I give up somewhere around the half-way point of the collection. I did not have that problem with this one.
I think Poe said that the best story is one that you can read in one sitting and Berman certainly follows that guide. These are bite-sized stories that can be read in one sitting, each with an author's note that gives the reader some insight into the author's inspiration and experience for why the corresponding story came to be. The stories themselves move through varied voices and genres--some have just a touch of the fantastic and would be more magical realism than fantasy, but others veer into sci-fi, paranormal, and even horror, in different time periods, and with different perspectives--almost always with a touch of eroticism, but also humor and candor. Alongside these stories, the author's notes start forming a parallel narrative that is every bit as enjoyable to read as the stories themselves and towards the end of the book becomes upended itself into fantasy.
Most of the tales feature gay protagonists, but anyone with a taste for the offbeat can enjoy these stories (they are also highly interesting from a writer's perspective, to see what motivates and compels another to write.) I found myself thinking that any number of these stories would make wonderful longer tales or possibly even novels....
to blur together and I give up somewhere around the half-way point of the collection. I did not have that problem with this one.
I think Poe said that the best story is one that you can read in one sitting and Berman certainly follows that guide. These are bite-sized stories that can be read in one sitting, each with an author's note that gives the reader some insight into the author's inspiration and experience for why the corresponding story came to be. The stories themselves move through varied voices and genres--some have just a touch of the fantastic and would be more magical realism than fantasy, but others veer into sci-fi, paranormal, and even horror, in different time periods, and with different perspectives--almost always with a touch of eroticism, but also humor and candor. Alongside these stories, the author's notes start forming a parallel narrative that is every bit as enjoyable to read as the stories themselves and towards the end of the book becomes upended itself into fantasy.
Most of the tales feature gay protagonists, but anyone with a taste for the offbeat can enjoy these stories (they are also highly interesting from a writer's perspective, to see what motivates and compels another to write.) I found myself thinking that any number of these stories would make wonderful longer tales or possibly even novels....
December 23, 2014
A curious collection of queer and fantastical short stories, interspersed with reminiscences from the author - the latter proved to be just as entertaining, if not more so, than the stories themselves.
Read
May 14, 2009Starting to write my impression on this book, while still all the idea were storming in my brain, probably I realized one of the meaning of the title: Second Thoughts, since all the story in this anthology were previously published elsewhere and Steve Berman collected them and added his second thoughts on them, the author's note, that in a way, I read with more eagerness than the stories, since they told something more on the author, and his interrupted love story with a college roommate, Michael "Mike" Carte, to whom is also dedicated the book, using Catullo's poem "Odi et Amo".
Bittersweet: two very young boyfriends, one of the two is sadly ill and needs to have a serious surgery. The other one cheats on him during his absence, just a fling, but it's a way to loose all the tension he has on his too young shoulder. He is not the bad hero, he is only a 17 years old guy who, maybe for a time, wants to love as his age would let him. On the Author's Note, Steve tells us as this story was inspired by a real guy he met once and as in the story, probably for that guy there was a happily ever after on his personal story, but not with Steve.
Secrets of the Gwangi: these are actually flashes of story with two couples and a man divided by time. Two lovers in the Old West, a director of some decades ago, and two stuntmen of the present. I would like to read more about the two lovers even if I think that there is not an happily ever after there. On the Author's Note, Steve tells us of his first tentative sexual experience when he was still a child, and how it was a consequence of telling stories, quite right giving what he became after.
Kiss: this is the bittersweet tale of a guy who is in love with his roommate, but his can be only an unrequited love, since the other guy loves more and with too more people at the same time. I hoped for the guy in love to find something better, if he survives to his second kiss... On the Author's Note, Steve tells us of his first crush and kiss, and one of the first time when he probably should have stopped to think and grasp the moment.
Always Listen to a Good Pair of Underwear: in this nice short story we meet for the first time Mike and young Steve, sharing an apartment as student, the place where Steve's love grew in strenght to probably never leave him after. On the Author's Note, Steve presents us Mike, the man who will inspire him for so many story.
The High Cost for Tamarind: in an apocalyptic world two lovers are too young and tender to be together... I don't know but when you read about lover like that you know that they have no chance... On the Author's Note, Steve tells us when he proudly sold his first story and how he presented it to Mike like a precious gift.
The Price of Glamour: this is a fantasy tale, probably the more light and joyous of the anthology, as you can expected when fey and faires are involved. A fairy and a changeling meet and tighten a relationship that for now is only a partnership but maybe in the future... On the Author's Note, Steve tells us of his college experience, as he tried to socialize, but as, at the end, he cared only for Mike.
Tearjerker: truth be told, I didn't understand so well this story, other than it's really sad... On the Author's Note, Steve tells us how he started to losing Mike way before he really lost him.
Well Wishing: a fantasy story about a salesman, a farmer, and his two sons, a boy and a girl. The salesman is more interested in the boy than in the girl, but he probably didn't do the right choice. Another story with a sad ending. On the Author's Note, Steve tells us how it was hard to think to have really lost Mike and how he tried to replace him with another impossible love. Till they are far from him, it's easier to love them and to see them realize their dreams. One side note: who is the porn actor?
Caught by Skin: in a futuristic world where love is chemical and aseptic, someone realizes that maybe he is losing something when it's too late to grasp and hold him. But maybe there is hope to still have something real. On the Author's Note, Steve plays.
A Rotten Obligation: an hustler is on the road to maintain a promise but he is derailed by love. Will he maintain the promise or will he finally seize his chance to happiness, burning all the bond with an horrible past? On the Author's Note, Steve tells us his own personal hustler story, and as everyone who saw Pretty Woman, also him probably would like to find a Richard Gere for every Julia Roberts (male or female) out there on the street.
Hidden in Central Asia: a gay boy leaving country on a cultural trip, maybe thinks that so far from his real world, things could be different and he can really straighten himself. But what on vacation seems possible, in reality is impossible. On the Author's Note, Steve tells us his own personal het story, and we also know as Mike was again Steve muse, being the lost boy on a dark night in Vintage. Mike with his repressed love and with his anger against life who didn't allow him to be what he would like to be. Mike so strong outside, and probably so scared of life inside.
Kinder: a man is so bound to the past that he probably can't see that he has a different future beside him. I didn't understand if, in the end, he seizes his chance. On the Author's Note, Steve tells us as he always tries to save Mike.
A Troll on a Mountain with a Girl: in a fantasy world a man is chasing monsters... but maybe the reason why he is chasing them is not what you can expected. On the Author's Note, Steve tells us why he is telling us stories...
This anthology is not accordingly to any standard a light anthology. And accordingly to me is not even something you can read one story detached of the others. It's a love declaration and like that you need to read it all together. Giving that the stories were originally published elsewhere and detached, it's also a confession on how the author probably pours all of him in his stories. Some of the stories I like a lot, some a bit less, but I absolutely love all the Author's Notes.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/159021028X/?...
Bittersweet: two very young boyfriends, one of the two is sadly ill and needs to have a serious surgery. The other one cheats on him during his absence, just a fling, but it's a way to loose all the tension he has on his too young shoulder. He is not the bad hero, he is only a 17 years old guy who, maybe for a time, wants to love as his age would let him. On the Author's Note, Steve tells us as this story was inspired by a real guy he met once and as in the story, probably for that guy there was a happily ever after on his personal story, but not with Steve.
Secrets of the Gwangi: these are actually flashes of story with two couples and a man divided by time. Two lovers in the Old West, a director of some decades ago, and two stuntmen of the present. I would like to read more about the two lovers even if I think that there is not an happily ever after there. On the Author's Note, Steve tells us of his first tentative sexual experience when he was still a child, and how it was a consequence of telling stories, quite right giving what he became after.
Kiss: this is the bittersweet tale of a guy who is in love with his roommate, but his can be only an unrequited love, since the other guy loves more and with too more people at the same time. I hoped for the guy in love to find something better, if he survives to his second kiss... On the Author's Note, Steve tells us of his first crush and kiss, and one of the first time when he probably should have stopped to think and grasp the moment.
Always Listen to a Good Pair of Underwear: in this nice short story we meet for the first time Mike and young Steve, sharing an apartment as student, the place where Steve's love grew in strenght to probably never leave him after. On the Author's Note, Steve presents us Mike, the man who will inspire him for so many story.
The High Cost for Tamarind: in an apocalyptic world two lovers are too young and tender to be together... I don't know but when you read about lover like that you know that they have no chance... On the Author's Note, Steve tells us when he proudly sold his first story and how he presented it to Mike like a precious gift.
The Price of Glamour: this is a fantasy tale, probably the more light and joyous of the anthology, as you can expected when fey and faires are involved. A fairy and a changeling meet and tighten a relationship that for now is only a partnership but maybe in the future... On the Author's Note, Steve tells us of his college experience, as he tried to socialize, but as, at the end, he cared only for Mike.
Tearjerker: truth be told, I didn't understand so well this story, other than it's really sad... On the Author's Note, Steve tells us how he started to losing Mike way before he really lost him.
Well Wishing: a fantasy story about a salesman, a farmer, and his two sons, a boy and a girl. The salesman is more interested in the boy than in the girl, but he probably didn't do the right choice. Another story with a sad ending. On the Author's Note, Steve tells us how it was hard to think to have really lost Mike and how he tried to replace him with another impossible love. Till they are far from him, it's easier to love them and to see them realize their dreams. One side note: who is the porn actor?
Caught by Skin: in a futuristic world where love is chemical and aseptic, someone realizes that maybe he is losing something when it's too late to grasp and hold him. But maybe there is hope to still have something real. On the Author's Note, Steve plays.
A Rotten Obligation: an hustler is on the road to maintain a promise but he is derailed by love. Will he maintain the promise or will he finally seize his chance to happiness, burning all the bond with an horrible past? On the Author's Note, Steve tells us his own personal hustler story, and as everyone who saw Pretty Woman, also him probably would like to find a Richard Gere for every Julia Roberts (male or female) out there on the street.
Hidden in Central Asia: a gay boy leaving country on a cultural trip, maybe thinks that so far from his real world, things could be different and he can really straighten himself. But what on vacation seems possible, in reality is impossible. On the Author's Note, Steve tells us his own personal het story, and we also know as Mike was again Steve muse, being the lost boy on a dark night in Vintage. Mike with his repressed love and with his anger against life who didn't allow him to be what he would like to be. Mike so strong outside, and probably so scared of life inside.
Kinder: a man is so bound to the past that he probably can't see that he has a different future beside him. I didn't understand if, in the end, he seizes his chance. On the Author's Note, Steve tells us as he always tries to save Mike.
A Troll on a Mountain with a Girl: in a fantasy world a man is chasing monsters... but maybe the reason why he is chasing them is not what you can expected. On the Author's Note, Steve tells us why he is telling us stories...
This anthology is not accordingly to any standard a light anthology. And accordingly to me is not even something you can read one story detached of the others. It's a love declaration and like that you need to read it all together. Giving that the stories were originally published elsewhere and detached, it's also a confession on how the author probably pours all of him in his stories. Some of the stories I like a lot, some a bit less, but I absolutely love all the Author's Notes.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/159021028X/?...
November 24, 2012
SlashReaders: I enjoyed this anthology a lot, I have in the past read a couple of the anthologies that Berman has put together as well as some of his other works. I have enjoyed the majority of them thus far, which lead me to this point. I've been sitting on this book for some time now as I tend to do anymore. I picked it up last month because I enjoy reading short stories while working on Nanowrimo, a novel's distract me too much.
One of the things that I liked the most about this anthology was actually the essays--and I use this term loosely--after each story. Berman gives the reader a bit of an insight into his imagination and into the stories themselves in little afterwards. Sometimes the afterwards are essentially stories in and of themselves.
That is not to say that I did not enjoy the stories, they were good. But for me there is something fascinating about seeing into the creative process and into a creator's mind that I enjoy. I love seeing WIP art, and so forth and so on. A couple of my favorites from this anthology were:
One of the things that I liked the most about this anthology was actually the essays--and I use this term loosely--after each story. Berman gives the reader a bit of an insight into his imagination and into the stories themselves in little afterwards. Sometimes the afterwards are essentially stories in and of themselves.
That is not to say that I did not enjoy the stories, they were good. But for me there is something fascinating about seeing into the creative process and into a creator's mind that I enjoy. I love seeing WIP art, and so forth and so on. A couple of my favorites from this anthology were:
December 29, 2013
I've been a fan of Steve Berman's fiction since reading his short novel VINTAGE, a love story involving living and ghostly gay teens. I read his collection TRYSTS a few years back. I somehow lost this collection in the shuffle of releases from Lethe Press in general and all of the multi-author anthologies Berman has edited in recent years and so placed it on my "TBR Challenge" List for 2013. I read it a few months ago, but then fell behind on writing my reviews, so here it finally is.
Unsurprisingly, I loved most of this collection. The stories are all speculative fiction of some kind (horror, fantasy, even a bit of SF). Almost all feature gay protagonists and antagonists, but the emotions they touch on and the life-moments they elicit are universal. Several take familiar stories and riff uniquely on them (for instance, "Bittersweet," which riffs on the story of the gingerbread man, and "Secrets of the Gwangi," which gives us a secret history of that great claymation dinosaur western "Valley of the Gwangi"). Only one, "Tearjerker," takes place in Berman's SF world The Fallen Area (visited previously in four of the stories in TRYSTS), a world I wish Berman would return to and develop more. "Tearjerker" is one of my favorite stories in the collection, alongside "Bittersweet," the disturbing "Well Wishing," which puts a different spin on the old trope of the lonely traveler who spends the night at a rural residence and is warned not to touch the farmer's daughter "or else," the longing-filled "Kinder," in which German brats infest a historical house and bedevil the live-in docent, and the playful-yet-dark "The High Cost for Tamarind," which takes place in an alternate London where the Fey thrive unseen among normal people.
There are thirteen stories listed in the TOC, but the book actually contains fourteen stories. Each piece of fiction is followed by an Author's Note, but even here Berman cannot resist tweaking the trope: the author's notes taken together tell a story with as solid a thru-line and building tension as any of the book's stories, adding a nice depth to an already full single-author collection.
Unsurprisingly, I loved most of this collection. The stories are all speculative fiction of some kind (horror, fantasy, even a bit of SF). Almost all feature gay protagonists and antagonists, but the emotions they touch on and the life-moments they elicit are universal. Several take familiar stories and riff uniquely on them (for instance, "Bittersweet," which riffs on the story of the gingerbread man, and "Secrets of the Gwangi," which gives us a secret history of that great claymation dinosaur western "Valley of the Gwangi"). Only one, "Tearjerker," takes place in Berman's SF world The Fallen Area (visited previously in four of the stories in TRYSTS), a world I wish Berman would return to and develop more. "Tearjerker" is one of my favorite stories in the collection, alongside "Bittersweet," the disturbing "Well Wishing," which puts a different spin on the old trope of the lonely traveler who spends the night at a rural residence and is warned not to touch the farmer's daughter "or else," the longing-filled "Kinder," in which German brats infest a historical house and bedevil the live-in docent, and the playful-yet-dark "The High Cost for Tamarind," which takes place in an alternate London where the Fey thrive unseen among normal people.
There are thirteen stories listed in the TOC, but the book actually contains fourteen stories. Each piece of fiction is followed by an Author's Note, but even here Berman cannot resist tweaking the trope: the author's notes taken together tell a story with as solid a thru-line and building tension as any of the book's stories, adding a nice depth to an already full single-author collection.
May 5, 2017
Excellent collection of short gay stories, that is sure to tickle the fancy of the reader—in more ways than one. Love the interplay between the real and unreal, as well as the addictive, sensual text that always kept me wanting to read it again and again! "I want magic! Yes, yes, magic!"
August 6, 2011
I enjoyed the fallen area stories a lot! Would love to read more
April 15, 2025
At first blush, this book appears to be exactly what I expected: another solid collection of queer speculative fiction. I was not expecting Second Thoughts to challenge how I interact with literature.
A favorite podcast of mine encourages listeners to "always read the plaque." While I am admittedly prone to skim over author's notes, this book upended my preconceptions about these snippets. They begin predictably enough with context for the when, where, and why behind a story, but soon evolve into something novel. Strands from each work weave into an autobiographical narrative toeing the line of unfiction. Only the author knows where that line resides. I began looking forward to each multi-page installment as much as the next story. As I turned to the acknowledgements, I realized these notes had become my favorite part of the book.
The allure of the author's notes is, of course, primarily made possible by the stories they accompany. I latched onto Secrets of the Gwangi and the history of queer suppression in media. As a queer Star Trek fan, I found kinship in wrenching representation from the jaws of subtext. The High Cost of Tamarind is a heart wrenching immigration alt history piece that feels uncannily timely, followed by an equally heart wrenching author's note. The Gingerbread Man sprints more than once across these pages in some reference or another. Throw in some cryptids and a sliver of scriptwriting for good measure. I was repeatedly struck by Berman's consistently impactful prose across a wide breadth of styles.
Each piece is incredibly unique in a general sense as well as within the collection, yet this book never felt disjointed. Just as the stories lend magic to the author's notes, the author's notes connect each tale through parallel storytelling. I've never read anything quite like it. I just might enjoy reading notes after all.
Thanks so much to Lethe Press for sending me a review copy. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
A favorite podcast of mine encourages listeners to "always read the plaque." While I am admittedly prone to skim over author's notes, this book upended my preconceptions about these snippets. They begin predictably enough with context for the when, where, and why behind a story, but soon evolve into something novel. Strands from each work weave into an autobiographical narrative toeing the line of unfiction. Only the author knows where that line resides. I began looking forward to each multi-page installment as much as the next story. As I turned to the acknowledgements, I realized these notes had become my favorite part of the book.
The allure of the author's notes is, of course, primarily made possible by the stories they accompany. I latched onto Secrets of the Gwangi and the history of queer suppression in media. As a queer Star Trek fan, I found kinship in wrenching representation from the jaws of subtext. The High Cost of Tamarind is a heart wrenching immigration alt history piece that feels uncannily timely, followed by an equally heart wrenching author's note. The Gingerbread Man sprints more than once across these pages in some reference or another. Throw in some cryptids and a sliver of scriptwriting for good measure. I was repeatedly struck by Berman's consistently impactful prose across a wide breadth of styles.
Each piece is incredibly unique in a general sense as well as within the collection, yet this book never felt disjointed. Just as the stories lend magic to the author's notes, the author's notes connect each tale through parallel storytelling. I've never read anything quite like it. I just might enjoy reading notes after all.
Thanks so much to Lethe Press for sending me a review copy. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
January 28, 2023
Second Thoughts is a beautiful collection of weird queer fiction that gave me everything I needed and could have asked for when reading a book in this genre. Each story is unique in tone, characters, settings, and subgenres but all of them describe an aspect of queer life, and I loved feeling seen in each of them. It's amazing to read about self-discovery, identity, and the exploration of sexuality through the experiences of realistic and interesting characters. I loved this collection, and I hope more people read this breathtaking book that left me wanting more queer weird fiction.
May 31, 2021
Wonderfully varied and well-crafted.
June 16, 2023
Three stars for the last two tales, including the excellent "Kinder," and the author notes which are often queerer and weirder than the stories they follow.
Want to read
September 8, 2008Second Thoughts: More Queer and Weird Stories by Steve Berman (2008)
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