The Vandermeers' "Steampunk" anthology

[Nazurahei]

Who was asking about that book at last week's game? It's not quite as cool a collection as "New Weird," but a fun read nonetheless.

Lansdale's story, "The Steam Man of the Prairie and the Dark Rider," is high art, probably the best thing in the anthology. Lots of cussing, fussing, gratuitous cornholing and H.G. Wells' Moorlocks run amok in an alternate-history, timeslipped Wild West. The bad guy jacks off on a dead dog and shoots bloody, ropey jizz all over it, for crying out loud.

[Náriël Telemnar]

Ewwww....

[Brand Nar Gath]

yeah i was feeling a little ill after reading the discription myself.

[Smiling Jack]

You should find part-time work as a waiter.  "...And has anyone told you about this evening's specials?  No?  We have herb encrusted pork medallions with bloody, ropey jizz sauce..."

I asked you about Vandermeer as a writer.  I have become interested in his Ambergris (sp?) world and wondered if he was worth reading.  How was his story?

[Nazurahei]

You should find part-time work as a waiter.  "...And has anyone told you about this evening's specials?  No?  We have herb encrusted pork medallions with bloody, ropey jizz sauce..."

I asked you about Vandermeer as a writer.  I have become interested in his Ambergris (sp?) world and wondered if he was worth reading.  How was his story?

I don't think Jeff has a story in the anthology. He and his wife just edited it.

He did write the book "City of Saints and Madmen," which is a pretty fucked up read.

[Brand Nar Gath]

You should find part-time work as a waiter.  "...And has anyone told you about this evening's specials?  No?  We have herb encrusted pork medallions with bloody, ropey jizz sauce..."

I asked you about Vandermeer as a writer.  I have become interested in his Ambergris (sp?) world and wondered if he was worth reading.  How was his story?

yes I worked as a waiter for many years.  many many people ordered and enjoyed the jizz...

[Smiling Jack]

yes I worked as a waiter for many years.  many many people ordered and enjoyed the jizz...

I thought that nobody ordered the jizz, yet none seemed to mind it.  Unless by "ordered" you mean "treated another human being like a piece of shit."

"City of Saints and Madmen" are short stories about the world of Ambergris, no?  I have heard it compared to Bas Lag, very dark, gritty, and entirely enjoyable.  I would be very interested in checking out Mr. Vandermeer's world.

[Náriël Telemnar]

Agreed. It does look good.

[Nazurahei]

yes I worked as a waiter for many years.  many many people ordered and enjoyed the jizz...

I thought that nobody ordered the jizz, yet none seemed to mind it.  Unless by "ordered" you mean "treated another human being like a piece of shit."

"City of Saints and Madmen" are short stories about the world of Ambergris, no?  I have heard it compared to Bas Lag, very dark, gritty, and entirely enjoyable.  I would be very interested in checking out Mr. Vandermeer's world.

Yep. I could see the Bas Lag comparison being accurate, although Vandermeer's world, to my mind, has more surrealist touches.

[Smiling Jack]

Yep. I could see the Bas Lag comparison being accurate, although Vandermeer's world, to my mind, has more surrealist touches.

If I remember correctly, one reviewer was reminded of Salvadore Dali.

[Nazurahei]

Yep. I could see the Bas Lag comparison being accurate, although Vandermeer's world, to my mind, has more surrealist touches.

If I remember correctly, one reviewer was reminded of Salvadore Dali.

That seems apt.

By the way, if you're looking for dark, weird cities to explore, I still suggest "The Etched City" by the talented (and cute) K.J. Bishop.

[Nyther]

I thought all female authors' first initials were J.K.

As to Brad's ? about Ambergris, I read the same review with the Bas Lag/ Dali description.

[Smiling Jack]

Yes, J. K. Atwood is one of my favorite SF writers.

[Náriël Telemnar]

I really like the works of Ursula J.K. LeGuin.

[Nazurahei]

Yes, J. K. Atwood is one of my favorite SF writers.

Remind me at the game and I'll tell you about Ms. Atwood.