Brighten to Incandescence: 17 Stories [Hardcover]

Michael Bishop (Author), Lucius Shepard (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2003

Seventeen of writer Michael Bishop's favourite stories were handpicked from his previously uncollected works to create this compelling collection, providing an excellent overview of a career that includes award-winning science fiction, horror, fantasy, satire, space opera, and mystery. In 'A Tapestry of Little Murders', a murderer attempts to escape along a literal road to self-destruction. A medical missionary, tortured by government thugs, reveals her dying wish in 'With a Little Help from Her Friends'. In 'The Procedure', an operation to remove a tumourous growth will hopefully excise from the patient's mind and body all tendencies toward faith and superstition. From futuristic mystery and Vietnam-era dark fantasy to theological speculation on Christ's death, a variety of lyrical voices speak through these haunting stories. An essay by the author divulges the genesis of each story.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

These 17 stories show off Bishop's versatility. They range from an exercise in subtle creepiness to a nicely turned space-station whodunit. First up is "Thirteen Lies about Hummingbirds," an occasionally horrifying meditation on the pitfalls of human relationships. Last story in the book is "Help Me, Rondo," about B-movie actor Rondo Hatton, who, cursed with acromegaly (enlargement and deformation of the head), was typecast as a brute, and a man who claims to be his son; for it, Bishop adopts the form of a screenplay. In the other tales, Bishop covers a lot of concepts, including time travel, reincarnation, and running away to join the circus. And the book includes two choice collaborations, "'We're All in This Alone'" with Paul Di Filippo and the aforementioned whodunit, "Murder on Lupozny Station," with Gerald W. Page. In the volume-closing essay, "A Lingering Incandescence," Bishop opens a window on the stories' creation. Regina Schroeder
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"A writer of deep human insight, powerful visionary imagination and masterful prose." -- Publishers Weekly

"Michael Bishop [is] one of the best short story writers in the field today." -- Locus

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 290 pages
• Publisher: Golden Gryphon Press; 1 edition (June 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1930846169
• ISBN-13: 978-1930846166
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,553,678 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For anyone who enjoys a deftly written short story, July 20, 2003

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brighten to Incandescence: 17 Stories (Hardcover)

Brighten To Incandescence is an impressive anthology of seventeen short stories written by Nebula Award-winning author Michael Bishop. From a heart-touching piece on the life of a Hollywood B-movie actor; to a brutal murderer's self-destructive path and ultimate end; to a conversation with Mary Shelley's ghost, these involving, adroitly written stories-with-a-twist, are gathered largely from small-press publications and anthologies, are so good that it's extremely difficult to read just one. Brighten To Incandescence is highly recommended reading for anyone who enjoys a deftly written short story in general, and to the legions of Michael Bishop fans in particular!