The Mutant Files

by Martin H. Greenberg (Editor), John Helfers (Editor), Lisanne Norman (Contributor)

Cahrles de LInt, Tanya Huff, Alan Dean Foster, David Bischoff, Fiona Patton, and other popular authors traces the sometimes offbeat paths of human evolution in sixteen original tales of genetic mutation, evolutionary errors, and superhuman powers. Original.

Genres: Science Fiction, Anthologies, Short Stories

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Martin Harry Greenberg was an American academic and speculative fiction anthologist. In all, he compiled 1,298 anthologies and commissioned over 8,200 original short stories. He founded Tekno Books, a packager of more than 2000 published books. In addition, he was a co-founder of the Sci-Fi Channel.

For the 1950s anthologist and publisher of Gnome Press, see Martin Greenberg.

Reviews

[Debbie is on Storygraph · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of short stories is much like any usual anthology. Some very good, a few I didn't really care for, and the rest mediocre. It's a fun read though, and has a variety of interesting ways to look at special powers and how those with powers exist in the normal world. I recommend this for anyone looking for a quick read and some light reading.

[Millerbug · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this anthology. it was very interesting and a really good read. My favorite stories were Lucky Guesses by Marc Bilgrey, Family by Fiona Patton, Sensitives by Nina Kiriki Hoffman, and Rites of Passage by Jody Lynn Nye.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tend to seek out short story anthologies with a Shadowrun or Cyberpunk vibe. I had found this book when I was taking my first vacation in a while up in Colorado. Yes, rather than visit mountains and other picturesque locations, I go to bookstores, particularly used ones...well at least at night I do. Anyway, while the subject matter was Mutants clearly the cover spoke to me on the SR/Cyberpunk level and for the price I got it for, I said why not.

The Mutant Files is an interesting collection as the stories range in time periods. Most are from the present but some seem suited for the past and others are certainly the future. Also, those readers who might be expecting a X-Men take on mutants need not apply. Most of the mutant powers are subtle and speak to the society at large not being able to accept them. Heck, even a few of the stories I'm not sure I would classify as mutant stories. One is just a ghost story, plain and simple.

The quality of the stories as with any anthology does vary quite a bit. They range from quite boring to pretty spectacular. A couple of them in fact which I will mention I wish were available elsewhere in an author anthology or a hardback perhaps. The quality also gets better the further you go in which is odd since most some people will read the first couple of stories and then decide if they want to continue. And I can see a lot of people giving up on this anthology before they even get to the good stuff.

Individually,
Freak by Charles De Lint 4/5, Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice by Tanya Huff 3/5, The Great Deep by Sophie Masson 2/5, Paint Box by Lisanne Norman 2/5, The Killing of Bad Bull by Alan Dean Foster 3/5, In the Dark Valley by Brandon Dubois 2/5, Behind His Gates of Gold by Karen Haber 2/5, Interview with a Mutant by Janet Berliner 3/5, Lucky Guesses by Marc Bilgrey 4/5, Mutant Mother from Hell (Fizz Smith Story) by David Bischoff 3/5, Family by Fiona Patton 2/5, Rite of Passage by Jody Lynn Nye 5/5, Sensitivities by Nina Kiriki Hoffman 4/5, Fire & Rain by Janet Pack 5/5, Trust by Kristine Kathryn Rusch 4/5, and Truth By Michelle West 4/5.

As you can see, very back loaded which is something of an odd thing to say but completely true here. Jody Lynn Nye and Janet Pack's stories are brilliant, fun and moving at the same time. Where as stories by Brandon Dubois, Karen Haber or Fiona Patton are certainly well written but not the kind of entertainment I was expecting from this anthology. I'm not sure this anthology gets a full recommendation from me and I completely understand if the reader wants to skip around but it is an interesting take on those with special abilities and how they interact with a society that doesn't understand them. Enjoy.

[Amélie · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Truth" by Michelle West is about a girl who can hear people's thoughts, which causes her to run away from her family and live in the streets.

[Susan]

Freak • [Newford] • shortstory by Charles de Lint
♦ "Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice" by Tanya Huff collected in Relative Magic reread 3/31/2015
The Great Deep • shortstory by Sophie Masson
Paint Box • novelette by Lisanne Norman
The Killing of Bad Bull • shortstory by Alan Dean Foster
In the Dark Valley • novelette by Brendan DuBois
Behind His Gates of Gold • novelette by Karen Haber
Interview with a Mutant • shortstory by Janet Berliner
Lucky Guesses • shortstory by Marc Bilgrey
Mutant Mother from Hell: A "Fizz Smith" Story • shortstory by David Bischoff
Family • [Marysburgh County] • novelette by Fiona Patton
Rite of Passage • novelette by Jody Lynn Nye
Sensitives • shortstory by Nina Kiriki Hoffman
Fire and Rain • shortstory by Janet Pack
Trust • shortstory by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Truth • novelette by Michelle West

[Saul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because it contained a short story by David Bischoff. "Mutant Mother From Hell" was interesting. It taught me how the ending of a story can be something utterly bizarre and crazy.