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Impossibilia
Aurora Award FinalistWe all have things we hide away inside—secrets, fears, aspects of ourselves we keep locked away. Or try to.In that respect, the characters we meet in Impossibilia are like any of us. They have things inside them too. Only their things are a little... different.A dead wife that won't leave. A wolf. The secret to being the luckiest man alive.Impossibilia was Doug's first collection of short fiction and includes the following "Bouquet of Flowers in a Vase, by van Gogh" (Aurora Award Finalist)"Spirit Dance" (Aurora Award WINNER)"Going Down to Lucky Town" (Aurora Award Finalist)In "Bouquet of Flowers in a Vase, by van Gogh," remote viewing drives a search through the past for lost masterpieces. An ex-CIA agent, haunted by the presence of his dead wife, falls in love with a beautiful remote viewer with her own secret. But can viewing the past change the present?Cree legends, a love triangle, a covert government agency, and shape shifters collide in the award-winning "Spirit Dance," described in Challenging Destiny as "...a vivid and wonderfully written tale about Native Canadian spirits, in the vein of Thomas King." In "Going Down to Lucky Town," an itinerant gambler chases a streak of luck across the country, while trying to win back the love of his daughter. The secret he finds forces him into an ultimate gamble for the highest stakes of his daughter's life.And through all the stories, these characters share one more thing beyond what they hold inside. In the decisions they face, in the choices they make, they do what they do out of love. Lost love, found love, the love of a child. But love. So maybe they aren't that different from us after all..."Highly, highly recommended." —Fantasy Book Critic"The writing is superb. Douglas Smith is an artisan and his stories beautifully crafted. ... In my search for the perfect short story, the three in this volume certainly qualify." —SF Crowsnest Book Reviews"Rarely have I seen such an apt title to any book! Douglas Smith has given us three amazing stories that are so unusual and beautiful that no other name than Impossibilia could possibly describe this collection. Each tale was rapture and ecstasy, magical and mysterious, perfect and implausible. In short, I loved them all from the first word to the last. ... I don’t know what else to say without spoiling things for you so I won’t say anything else, except READ THIS BOOK!!!" —Mass Movement Magazine
- GenresFantasyScience Fiction
Hardcover
First published April 24, 2011
18 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Smith
51 books193 followersDouglas Smith is a multi-award-winning author described by Library Journal as “one of Canada's most original writers of speculative fiction.”
His latest work is the multi-award-winning YA urban fantasy trilogy, The Dream Rider Saga (The Hollow Boys, The Crystal Key, and The Lost Expedition). Other books include the urban fantasy novel, The Wolf at the End of the World; the collections, Chimerascope, Impossibilia, and La Danse des Esprits (translated); and the writer's guide Playing the Short Game: How to Market & Sell Short Fiction.
His short fiction has appeared in the top markets in the field, including The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Amazing Stories, InterZone, Weird Tales, Baen’s Universe, Escape Pod, On Spec, and Cicada.
Published in 27 languages, Doug is a 4-time winner of Canada's Aurora Award, most recently in 2023 for The Hollow Boys, as well as the juried IAP Award for the same book. He's been a finalist for the Astounding Award, CBC's Bookies Award, Canada's juried Sunburst Award, the juried Alberta Magazine Award for Fiction, and France's juried Prix Masterton and Prix Bob Morane.
Buy Doug's books
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His latest work is the multi-award-winning YA urban fantasy trilogy, The Dream Rider Saga (The Hollow Boys, The Crystal Key, and The Lost Expedition). Other books include the urban fantasy novel, The Wolf at the End of the World; the collections, Chimerascope, Impossibilia, and La Danse des Esprits (translated); and the writer's guide Playing the Short Game: How to Market & Sell Short Fiction.
His short fiction has appeared in the top markets in the field, including The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Amazing Stories, InterZone, Weird Tales, Baen’s Universe, Escape Pod, On Spec, and Cicada.
Published in 27 languages, Doug is a 4-time winner of Canada's Aurora Award, most recently in 2023 for The Hollow Boys, as well as the juried IAP Award for the same book. He's been a finalist for the Astounding Award, CBC's Bookies Award, Canada's juried Sunburst Award, the juried Alberta Magazine Award for Fiction, and France's juried Prix Masterton and Prix Bob Morane.
Buy Doug's books
Follow Doug on Amazon
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 25, 2020
For me Douglas Smith is one of the best around and this collection of wonderful brilliant stories. is a showcase of why. He’s won many awards for his short stories and the three that form this collection are of his very high standards. The wonderful tales in this collection are as varied as you can imagine but each is so brilliantly written and perfectly realised that they all work side by side. The only problem I can see is that one reading is never enough. In fact, I’ve already read through these particular stories several times. Bouquet Of Flowers In Vase, By Van Gogh is a personal favourite. This story has many elements from fantasy/sci-fi to romance to thrills. I think it’s how Douglas Smith gives us fully realised worlds in which his characters live that really showcase his skill as an author. As you can probably tell I am a huge fan of this writer and I can’t recommend him highly enough. Whichever of his stories you read it will be fantastic.
May 13, 2021
Yet another gem from Douglas Smith. After reading the Chimerascope my expectations on Douglas Smith is sky-high. This one didn't disappoint either. There are three short novellas in this book. Probably they can also be called 'long short stories'. I have no idea what is the real difference between the two. In any case, it is again proven that to establish an optimum set of characters that readers can really care about, Smith doesn't need the long canvas of a novel. This we have seen in the sixteen short stories in Chimerascope, in a consistent manner. Here he just repeats his magic on that front. Setting up of the characters is one aspect, but plotting an ingenious story around them takes another skill. And yet again, Smith excels in this department too. The stories in each of the three stories are well crafted, with an ample dose of imagination, spread across myths, fantasy, urban legends and some magical realism.
Out of the three the first one, "Bouquet of Flowers in a Vase, by van Gogh" is the best. By far this must be now one of my favorite piece of fiction I ever read. Apart from the set of characters and the magical plot, the feel of the story gets amplified by the apt usage of an 'inner voice', which I haven't seen many using. The way the he has designed this story to transform from mundane day to day set up to some magical story structure is something that has to be experienced by reading the story oneself. The backdrop of the story is van Gogh himself, but how the characters are getting blended with the life of the artist and how the backstories of the characters are revealed bit by bit to should really be part of fiction curriculum some day. In some ways this reminded me of the ingenious, but less arty Spanish movie 'Mirage' and to some extent the more arty 'Magical girl', even though there are not many similarities in the stories. It is the presentation and story structure that has some links. May be I'm imagining all of that. I'm waiting for one day when somebody would make this into an equally great movie (definitely not like Mirage).
The second story "Spirit Dance" is the first story ever written by the author. Compared to the other two this pales a bit. The feel of the story and the characters are alright. However, the story structure gets developed in an expected manner. Not much surprises there. The third story "Going Down to Lucky Town" is much better than this. Here too, the author introduces couple of nice central characters. The story is very interesting in that this reminded me of Murakami. The mood of the story is very light, even though the story is a tragic one.
In this book as well as in Chimerascope, the author has given an explanation on how he came to the idea and development of each stories. I found this very useful.
Out of the three the first one, "Bouquet of Flowers in a Vase, by van Gogh" is the best. By far this must be now one of my favorite piece of fiction I ever read. Apart from the set of characters and the magical plot, the feel of the story gets amplified by the apt usage of an 'inner voice', which I haven't seen many using. The way the he has designed this story to transform from mundane day to day set up to some magical story structure is something that has to be experienced by reading the story oneself. The backdrop of the story is van Gogh himself, but how the characters are getting blended with the life of the artist and how the backstories of the characters are revealed bit by bit to should really be part of fiction curriculum some day. In some ways this reminded me of the ingenious, but less arty Spanish movie 'Mirage' and to some extent the more arty 'Magical girl', even though there are not many similarities in the stories. It is the presentation and story structure that has some links. May be I'm imagining all of that. I'm waiting for one day when somebody would make this into an equally great movie (definitely not like Mirage).
The second story "Spirit Dance" is the first story ever written by the author. Compared to the other two this pales a bit. The feel of the story and the characters are alright. However, the story structure gets developed in an expected manner. Not much surprises there. The third story "Going Down to Lucky Town" is much better than this. Here too, the author introduces couple of nice central characters. The story is very interesting in that this reminded me of Murakami. The mood of the story is very light, even though the story is a tragic one.
In this book as well as in Chimerascope, the author has given an explanation on how he came to the idea and development of each stories. I found this very useful.
July 23, 2019
Douglas Smith is one of Canada's national treasures (along with Alan Bradley). His writing is concise and intense. The stories grab your interest and engage your brain. They are all about supposedly ordinary people who turn out to be rather extraordinary in their own way. Reading this collection of three novellas was both stimulating and gratifying. I highly recommend it and can't wait to read "The Wolf at the end of the World".
July 10, 2017
Wow, absolutely beautiful short stories.
Read
April 14, 2021'Impossibilia' is a small collection of short fiction by Douglas Smith. An award-winning author of speculative fiction, Douglas Smith has had pieces published in over eighty publications but this is his first collection of short fiction.
The three stories collected in 'Impossibilia' are very different, covering almost the entire range of speculative genres. The writing is superb. Douglas Smith is an artisan and his stories are beautifully crafted. Perhaps this is the reason there are only three stories collected here, more would be overwhelming. In my search for the perfect short story, the three in this volume certainly qualify.
In 'Bouquet of Flowers In A Vase by Van Gogh', Maroch, an ex-agent of 'The Company' assists a new protégée, Laure, in the process of remote viewing. This time, instead of using their unique talent to locate missing persons and warheads, they are trying to locate lost paintings by Vincent Van Gogh. Laure is successful in viewing the past and begins to communicate with Van Gogh, something previously thought impossible. Her ability being to influence the past, producing not only the desired painting, but setting off a chain of events that will affect the future.
The revolution of themes and words is very fluid throughout this story, making the pace almost rhythmic, drawing you along whether the subject matter is of interest to you or not. The ending is a perfect resolution of the paradox of backward time travel.
In 'Spirit Dance', Gwyn Blaidd is Herok'a, a race of not quite human people ancestrally related to animals. Not only are they endowed with the traits, abilities and command over their chosen animal, they can take its shape. The Herok'a are governed by the Circle and hunted by the Tainchel. When important (read: wealthy) people in his remote community turn up dead, Blaidd is set the task of finding out why and uncovers more than bargained for.
A nice slice of a larger story and works well as a short story or as an episode. The characters are intriguing and the story beguiling. I would like to read more about these characters.
In 'Going Down to Lucky Town', Charlie has followed the trail of good luck all his life. He has the knack for telling a lucky person from an unlucky person. Then he meets the unluckiest person in the world and manages to turn even this to his advantage.
Another great story, but I'm getting used to that. Deft handling of character and setting (gambling, cons and the game of life) tells the story of Charlie following luck. Although Charlie may seem a cad, he comes off as an extremely likeable fellow.
This small collection of short fiction has an afterword by Julie Czerneda which neatly sums up the writing of Douglas Smith, 'With every new story, the more impressed I am with his subtlety and vision. I've yet to read a work of his that wasn't beautifully written, but more than that, his stories resonate with a deep understanding of the human condition as well as a characteristic wry wonder...Stories you can't forget, even years later.'
Written for and originally published at SFcrowsnest.
The three stories collected in 'Impossibilia' are very different, covering almost the entire range of speculative genres. The writing is superb. Douglas Smith is an artisan and his stories are beautifully crafted. Perhaps this is the reason there are only three stories collected here, more would be overwhelming. In my search for the perfect short story, the three in this volume certainly qualify.
In 'Bouquet of Flowers In A Vase by Van Gogh', Maroch, an ex-agent of 'The Company' assists a new protégée, Laure, in the process of remote viewing. This time, instead of using their unique talent to locate missing persons and warheads, they are trying to locate lost paintings by Vincent Van Gogh. Laure is successful in viewing the past and begins to communicate with Van Gogh, something previously thought impossible. Her ability being to influence the past, producing not only the desired painting, but setting off a chain of events that will affect the future.
The revolution of themes and words is very fluid throughout this story, making the pace almost rhythmic, drawing you along whether the subject matter is of interest to you or not. The ending is a perfect resolution of the paradox of backward time travel.
In 'Spirit Dance', Gwyn Blaidd is Herok'a, a race of not quite human people ancestrally related to animals. Not only are they endowed with the traits, abilities and command over their chosen animal, they can take its shape. The Herok'a are governed by the Circle and hunted by the Tainchel. When important (read: wealthy) people in his remote community turn up dead, Blaidd is set the task of finding out why and uncovers more than bargained for.
A nice slice of a larger story and works well as a short story or as an episode. The characters are intriguing and the story beguiling. I would like to read more about these characters.
In 'Going Down to Lucky Town', Charlie has followed the trail of good luck all his life. He has the knack for telling a lucky person from an unlucky person. Then he meets the unluckiest person in the world and manages to turn even this to his advantage.
Another great story, but I'm getting used to that. Deft handling of character and setting (gambling, cons and the game of life) tells the story of Charlie following luck. Although Charlie may seem a cad, he comes off as an extremely likeable fellow.
This small collection of short fiction has an afterword by Julie Czerneda which neatly sums up the writing of Douglas Smith, 'With every new story, the more impressed I am with his subtlety and vision. I've yet to read a work of his that wasn't beautifully written, but more than that, his stories resonate with a deep understanding of the human condition as well as a characteristic wry wonder...Stories you can't forget, even years later.'
Written for and originally published at SFcrowsnest.
June 25, 2015
I don't read Speculative Fiction for the spaceships, dragons or fairies. I read it because I love exploring other peoples' ideas, emotional interactions, and imaginations. When a story sets me to musing about its intricate weave of characters, actions, and emotions, and wondering how the author came up with 'that' idea I'm happy to have invested my time. Time is precious, finite, and slips through fingers as easily as air.
The stories in Impossibilia gave me a wonderful return on my investment.
Bouquet of Flowers in a Vase, by Van Gogh is a unique time travel story. If I was given one word to describe the story, I'd use Passion. Love, death, loss, and rebirth, the highs and lows of human life flow throughout these pages. All set against the backdrop of the vibrant, mesmerizing, and compelling paintings of Van Gogh.
Spirit Dance is our very first introduction to the Heroka--not your everyday full-moon, bloodthirsty shapeshifters. As ancient Indian legends tell, these shifters are quite happy to live and let live. Just don't provoke them, you will not like what happens.
Going Down to Lucky Town tells us the story of a con-man with an unusual gift. Pursuing a streak of luck around Ontario, he discovers that one of the loves of his life has died, leaving his other love in the not-so-tender hands of the System. He tries to use his 'gift' to protect his daughter, but his past refuses to leave him alone. Will he win or lose?
This collection concludes with the opening chapter of Wolf at the End of the World--Doug's first novel about the Heroka. I'm waiting, not so patiently, for the next one.
Gambling your time and money on these stories will return so much more than you invested.
The stories in Impossibilia gave me a wonderful return on my investment.
Bouquet of Flowers in a Vase, by Van Gogh is a unique time travel story. If I was given one word to describe the story, I'd use Passion. Love, death, loss, and rebirth, the highs and lows of human life flow throughout these pages. All set against the backdrop of the vibrant, mesmerizing, and compelling paintings of Van Gogh.
Spirit Dance is our very first introduction to the Heroka--not your everyday full-moon, bloodthirsty shapeshifters. As ancient Indian legends tell, these shifters are quite happy to live and let live. Just don't provoke them, you will not like what happens.
Going Down to Lucky Town tells us the story of a con-man with an unusual gift. Pursuing a streak of luck around Ontario, he discovers that one of the loves of his life has died, leaving his other love in the not-so-tender hands of the System. He tries to use his 'gift' to protect his daughter, but his past refuses to leave him alone. Will he win or lose?
This collection concludes with the opening chapter of Wolf at the End of the World--Doug's first novel about the Heroka. I'm waiting, not so patiently, for the next one.
Gambling your time and money on these stories will return so much more than you invested.
July 30, 2015
Douglas Smith's first short story collection Impossibilia is a treasure to be savoured, like gourmet chocolates and fine wine. It includes three superb stories:
* Bouquet of Flowers in a Vase, by Van Gogh
* Spirit Dance
* Going Down to Lucky Town
each beautifully written and wondrously imagined.
It took me several days to get through this book. Not because it is in any way difficult to read -- but far from it and quite the opposite: The stories in this collection are so wonderful, I wanted to take time to digest and enjoy each and every one.
* Bouquet of Flowers in a Vase, by Van Gogh
* Spirit Dance
* Going Down to Lucky Town
each beautifully written and wondrously imagined.
It took me several days to get through this book. Not because it is in any way difficult to read -- but far from it and quite the opposite: The stories in this collection are so wonderful, I wanted to take time to digest and enjoy each and every one.
May 9, 2022
Interesting stories.
I loved these tales. Interesting and unusual and very entertaining. They had a strong sense of the kind of things you might have seen in the old Twilight Zone series on T V back in the day. The spooky , the uncanny, that grips you and keep you guessing.
I loved these tales. Interesting and unusual and very entertaining. They had a strong sense of the kind of things you might have seen in the old Twilight Zone series on T V back in the day. The spooky , the uncanny, that grips you and keep you guessing.
July 23, 2014
Great collection - should be known widely
July 24, 2010
Brilliantly written short story collection and probably one of my favorites!
July 21, 2020
Okay, this review is probably going to sound really mean and is most certainly based solely on my unique opinion, but truthfully, I am actually low key offended after reading this book.
I am a huge Vincent Van Gogh fan, like a total fan girl. Vincent Van Gogh was a very sick man, who struggled with serious mental health issues. Despite this, he gifted our world with art that is based in beauty and hope. In other words, Van Gogh used art to transfigure his own personal pain into beauty that everyone can experience. Something that is beyond inspirational for all people, but especially those who struggle with mental issues as well.
The fact that this author took the beauty of Van Gogh's work and translated it into the blood and gore of "horror" is something I personally find truly grotesque, and not in a "wow what a great horror story" way. If you are going to include an historic figure, a real person, in your book, especially someone like Vincent Van Gogh. . .have some respect.
I am a huge Vincent Van Gogh fan, like a total fan girl. Vincent Van Gogh was a very sick man, who struggled with serious mental health issues. Despite this, he gifted our world with art that is based in beauty and hope. In other words, Van Gogh used art to transfigure his own personal pain into beauty that everyone can experience. Something that is beyond inspirational for all people, but especially those who struggle with mental issues as well.
The fact that this author took the beauty of Van Gogh's work and translated it into the blood and gore of "horror" is something I personally find truly grotesque, and not in a "wow what a great horror story" way. If you are going to include an historic figure, a real person, in your book, especially someone like Vincent Van Gogh. . .have some respect.
February 24, 2025
Can something be impossible but believable? These 3 stories wrapped me in wonder and made me believe. Each story transports you to quite different worlds. I recommend the escape
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews