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Axolotl Double A-1
Outstanding Copy - A 2 In 1 Flip Book.Number 157. Signed - For Mike - This Is A Weird Story. If You Understand It, Explain It To Me . Just Kidding. I Think - By James Blaylock On Hi Title Page. Als Signed For Mike - This One Takes Place Just North Of Here , Cheers - By Tim Powers On His Title Page. A First Edition, First Printing. Book Is In Fine Condition. Boards Are Clean, Not Bumped. Fore Edges Are Clean. Interior Is Clean And Legible. Not Remaindered. Dust Jacket Is In Fine Condition. Not Chipped Or Crinkled. Not Price Clipped. Dust Jacket Is Covered By Mylar Brodart. Thanks And Enjoy.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
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About the author
James P. Blaylock
113 books284 followersJames Paul Blaylock is an American fantasy author. He is noted for his distinctive style. He writes in a humorous way: His characters never walk, they clump along, or when someone complains (in a flying machine) that flight is impossible, the other characters agree and show him why he's right.
He was born in Long Beach, California; studied English at California State University, Fullerton, receiving an M.A. in 1974; and lives in Orange, California, teaching creative writing at Chapman University. Many of his books are set in Orange County, California, and can more specifically be termed "fabulism" — that is, fantastic things happen in our present-day world, rather than in traditional fantasy, where the setting is often some other world. His works have also been categorized as magic realism.
He and his friends Tim Powers and K.W. Jeter were mentored by Philip K. Dick. Along with Powers he invented the poet William Ashbless. Blaylock and Powers have often collaborated with each other on writing stories, including The Better Boy, On Pirates, and The William Ashbless Memorial Cookbook.
Blaylock is also currently director of the Creative Writing Conservatory at the Orange County High School of the Arts, where Powers is Writer in Residence.
He was born in Long Beach, California; studied English at California State University, Fullerton, receiving an M.A. in 1974; and lives in Orange, California, teaching creative writing at Chapman University. Many of his books are set in Orange County, California, and can more specifically be termed "fabulism" — that is, fantastic things happen in our present-day world, rather than in traditional fantasy, where the setting is often some other world. His works have also been categorized as magic realism.
He and his friends Tim Powers and K.W. Jeter were mentored by Philip K. Dick. Along with Powers he invented the poet William Ashbless. Blaylock and Powers have often collaborated with each other on writing stories, including The Better Boy, On Pirates, and The William Ashbless Memorial Cookbook.
Blaylock is also currently director of the Creative Writing Conservatory at the Orange County High School of the Arts, where Powers is Writer in Residence.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 15, 2020
bound back to back like the Ace Double Novel format. signed by both authors, and also signed by both Charles de Lint and Ed Bryant [introductions.
Two fantasy short stories.
Two fantasy short stories.
October 31, 2023
(This review pertains to the Tim Powers story only)
"People do let go sometimes. Some say it’s hard to do, as difficult as holding your breath till you faint—others say it’s as easy as not catching a silver dollar tossed to you."
Tim Powers stories are full of supernatural beings--- ghosts, vampires, shape shifters, time travelers. The worlds he creates all have very complex sets of rules for how they operate and interact with "regular human" society. Usually I am intrigued and delighted by them- a large part of the fun is figuring out the systems and watching how the people and others navigate them.
This story, though, stands out as true horror, and a particularly Catholic horror at that.
The clan of immortals populating this world maintain their existence in a supremely ghastly fashion, and the more I thought about it, the more unsettled I became. The action of the story (a regular gathering of the clan, where the members all gather for a sort of bacchanal of drink and food and to discuss clan business---when things take a turn for the nefarious and dramatic) is typically cinematic and thrilling. But the moral and philosophical problem of the continuation of this species makes your typical bloodsucking vampire seem harmless.
I thought I was reading a creepy little supernatural story, but I'm left pondering the nature of consciousness and the human soul.
Well done, Tim Powers. You got me.
"People do let go sometimes. Some say it’s hard to do, as difficult as holding your breath till you faint—others say it’s as easy as not catching a silver dollar tossed to you."
Tim Powers stories are full of supernatural beings--- ghosts, vampires, shape shifters, time travelers. The worlds he creates all have very complex sets of rules for how they operate and interact with "regular human" society. Usually I am intrigued and delighted by them- a large part of the fun is figuring out the systems and watching how the people and others navigate them.
This story, though, stands out as true horror, and a particularly Catholic horror at that.
The clan of immortals populating this world maintain their existence in a supremely ghastly fashion, and the more I thought about it, the more unsettled I became. The action of the story (a regular gathering of the clan, where the members all gather for a sort of bacchanal of drink and food and to discuss clan business---when things take a turn for the nefarious and dramatic) is typically cinematic and thrilling. But the moral and philosophical problem of the continuation of this species makes your typical bloodsucking vampire seem harmless.
I thought I was reading a creepy little supernatural story, but I'm left pondering the nature of consciousness and the human soul.
Well done, Tim Powers. You got me.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews