A very special mini review of INFERNO

[ellen_datlow]

Some background. Although I don't write, my parents have always been supportive of my editing work, even if they may not understand exactly what that entails. My dad has embarrassed me in the past by going into bookstores and introducing "his daughter, the editor who has a bunch of anthologies" to the clerks.
My mom reads all my anthologies. In fact, she tried to read Neuromancer because she knew that I'd published Bill in OMNI. But alas, she couldn't get into it. In fact, she usually tells me she doesn't like most of my anthologies--and I finally understood why when she told me that the only story she enjoyed in The Del Rey Book of Science Fiction and Fantasy was "Jimmy" by Pat Cadigan--and it was "because it was set in the real world and she knew a boy like Jimmy."....

So...when, the other day we were on the phone and she raved about how much she enjoyed Inferno and why, I asked her to email me what she thought about it. And she did:


"I loved the book. It's the best one you've ever done.
Maybe I liked it so much because the stories seem grounded in real emotions and events. For people who may shun horror, science fiction, or fantasy, this could be the graceful introduction to the genre.

So many of the stories start off in a familiar, though interesting place and drop you into the dark hole that curdles the blood. What could more fun?

As always, the literary quality is wonderful. Sometimes, poetic. I look forward to all your future stuff. I'm really proud of this one!"
Love,
Mom


(sorry to the contributors to ALL my other anthologies ;-) )

Comments

Awww!

[themadblonde]

Is there ANYTHING sweeter than having a parent say s/he is proud of one? Glad to hear she enjoyed the anthology. I hear it's a firecracker. ;-)

[stevenagy.livejournal.com]

Very nice. I can't think of a better review. :-)

[nihilistic-kid.livejournal.com]

I hope you have a favorite uncle who likes ghost stories, or I'm gonna CRY!

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

I have to ask my mom if she read my other ghost story antho THE DARK! ;-)

How about you?

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

I mean...do you have a favorite uncle!

Re: Awww!

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Well, it got two reviews in the current NYRSF--one reviewer hated the whole book, the other loved the whole book. And their reviews read as if they each experience entirely different books.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

And you know she's not biased--she hates all the others (well, maybe not hates, but they obviously haven't made the same impression)

[nihilistic-kid.livejournal.com]

Not any that'll buy a book in hardcover!

[stevenagy.livejournal.com]

And you know she's not biased

Exactly. Sometimes parents are the harshest critics, because they feel partly responsible for what you do. Guilt (or acclaim) by association. Which makes any pride that much sweeter. :-)

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

But but...you'll of course give it to him as a gift! (yeah...that's the ticket)

And...

[themadblonde]

this surprises you how? Heavens, you've been a professional reader/editor long enough to know that two relatively similar people can read the same SENTENCE & make two entirely different things out of it. We bring everything we know to what we read- it's why you can read a book as a child & read it again as an adult & it will NOT be the same book. There is no way that _I_ would be able to get out of these stories what you could & do regularly & easily. We're two different readers & therefore, we WILL be reading two different books. & I know that's no revelation to someone of your experience & intelligence, but I felt like typing it anyway.

Have a lovely evening, lovely lady!

[ecmyers.livejournal.com]

That's great! I think you have a good blurb for your next anthology.

Re: And...

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Ok ok. When you put it that way...of course!

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Maybe I can persuade Jim to use it on the paperback ;-)

[livia-llewellyn.livejournal.com]

My parents won't read anything I write. My father ONLY reads non-fiction, and my mother ONLY reads Agatha Christie-type mysteries - they refuse to read anything else, and their daughter is no exception to the rule. Sometimes it frustrates me, but then I'll read over my erotica stuff and realize it's probably for the best. :P

[csecooney.livejournal.com]

Ha! What a great review! And from a loyal but discerning source, too. You must be very proud. Makes me want to read Inferno... I shall research further. Thanks!

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Still.
If it makes you feel better, my dad doesn't read my books.

[livia-llewellyn.livejournal.com]

It really doesn't piss me off much anymore. So many of my stories are about weird family dysfunctions, and I've always worried that my parents and sister might think I'm writing about them - which I'm not, but it'd be hard to present a case that I'm not...

But my uncle LOVES my erotica, so I guess I can live with just one fan in the family!

[vee-ecks.livejournal.com]

The only review that matters.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Good for him!

[shvetufae.livejournal.com]

How lovely. I bet you're glowing right now; I would be! :)

[jplangan.livejournal.com]

Congrats! I suspect you've achieved something the vast majority of those of us who publish secretly long for but seldom see.

[xjenavivex.livejournal.com]

That is an awesome review. I love the conclusion she drew. It seemed dead-on. May I post a link to this in lobo_luna tomorrow? That is the day we promote reviews of the work of our friends and other talented folks in the writing community.

[melissajm.livejournal.com]

That's the best review ever.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

I was when she first told me --and the glow lasted awhile!