Spoonbenders, by Daryl Gregory

Spoonbenders by Daryl Gregory

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I have read one other book by Daryl Gregory, "We Are All Completely Fine". That one was more revelatory for me as I had not read a book with a character with borderline personality disorder. The characters here are a bit more stock--Teddy, a con artist/mobster and his family of psychics. The children (as adults in the book) are kind of stock mob kids (wanting to distance themselves, but not really able to), but the real good stuff is in the details. You really got to know all the characters as the book goes on (except for the mother and most powerful psychic Maureen McKinnon, who remained an enigma throughout). Some other reviewers think he's played a bit safe here, and I would have to agree, but it didn't detract from the enjoyment. Reading this book is like getting to spend time with family--people who irritate and let you down, but in the end stick by you and support you with love. Good stuff.



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The Hermit of Houston, by Samuel R. Delany

Reading this story reminded me of when I read "Dhalgren", I think around 1972.  I was confused most of the time, but managed to hang on and follow it.  Delany has not changed that much.  Lots of sex, and many references to familiar things, but in a very unfamiliar setting that might or might not be post-apocalyptic.  In this case I'm leaning toward post-apocalyptic.  It's good to see him writing again, but hard to get into it unless you're a fan from way back.

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The Stone In the Skull, by Elizabeth Bear

The Stone in the Skull by Elizabeth Bear

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I'm only giving this book 3 stars, but it's a strong 3 stars. As others have said, this is pretty much stage setting for the next couple of books in the trilogy. The characters are all pretty thoroughly fascinating and have a lot of range. The Gage is a sort of classic "gentle giant" type, and it will be interesting to see where Bear takes him. The Dead Man is also a classic type, more the stolid samurai. Both have outlived their original purpose. Their search and their dialogues about it can get a bit self-conscious at times, but overall they are worth reading. We have two women rulers, very similar in their solid devotion to duty, but one is on the way to a drug addiction and the other is transgender. Lots of possibilities here.

I usually don't read books in a universe out of order, even if they are supposedly independent, and think I should have done so here as well. The characters are supposedly mostly new, but I think the setting would make more sense with the earlier trilogy behind it.



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