Customer Reviews

Fourtold

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When I preordered FORETOLD, I knew it was going to be special. I knew I liked Michael Stone's work since I read his short story THE DEVIL'S FAUNA on a webzine, and I knew that I had to order his debut collection.

Let me tell you, I wasn't disappointed.

FORETOLD is a collection that brings together all that is best of Michael Stone. Michael has a talent for creating believable while bizarre situations that his characters go through. From the surreal war story of SAN FERRY ANNE to the mythical wonder that is LEMON MAN, we see that Michael Stone is capable of taking your mind on an adventure.

SAN FERRY ANNE is the story that begins FORETOLD, and it's also a story that's able to deeply-impact its reader on a subconscious level. What strikes me with SAN FERRY ANNE is the reality of it. Here, we view two men who are in the midst of war, and we are able to see how the war has affected each of them. One is distraught over being away from his wife, while the other is ashamed because he could not save his brother. What I liked about SAN FERRY ANNE was the tone it had. It wasn't a story that could be perceived as a fantasy; it was raw and real, and that's what I liked about this story.

THE RECONSTRUCTION OF KASPER CLARK is the story that follows SAN FERRY ANNE, and it's one of my favorites in the collection. A few of my favorite shows are on the Discovery Health Channel (Mystery Diagnoses, Doctor G: Medical Examiner, Skeleton Stories to name a few,) and medical mysteries and abnormalities, no matter how strange or bizarre, always fascinate me. Kasper Clark is a man who has a mouth in his forehead, and he goes away to a clinic to get it fixed. Of course, the bizarre way in which the clinic `treats' their patients is something Kasper quickly comes to realize. I liked this story so much because of the way Kasper was developed and the way he interacted with the characters. The bizarreness of the piece is what makes it stand out between the other stories.

THE TERRACOTTA WARRIOR is much like SAN FERRY ANNE, but it has a more strange and supernatural element to it. The way Michael works with the characters and mythology in this piece is amazing. I could see the creature he used in this story in so many different ways in different parts of the story, and that's what I admire in a piece that primarily focuses around a strange creature of being. The uniqueness of the creature in this story is what I liked about THE TERRACOTTA WARRIOR.

And finally, the collection closes with LEMON MAN, and it was the perfect story to end the collection. By far the most bizarre story, LEMON MAN takes us on two journeys. One is through Russell, in which we learn of his love and his troubles with sleep paralysis. He sees a being that chokes him, that haunts his dreams. This creature scares Russell so much that the man is unable to sleep, which leads him to take drugs to keep him from sleeping. This ultimately causes him and his wife to break up, and ultimately brings Russell to buy the bike that Maria noticed him for. Our other character is a man named John, who is dead and in heaven. A principality of the First Choir leads him through the bizarre heaven-world and reveals to him that he is dead by suicide.

FORETOLD is a collection that is amazingly well done. Gary Kilworth said it best when he said that Michael Stone was a special talent, and coming from an award-winning author such as himself, Kilworth knows what he's talking about.

FORETOLD is a book you'll want to add to your bookshelf, because it's a collection that deserves to be recognized for its masterful storytelling.

As the title indicates, Fourtold is a collection of four stories with a forward by Gary Kilworth. The stories carry the reader from one extreme to another, but they are all entertaining on multiple levels, from horror, to action, to twistedly funny.

In SAN FERRY ANNE two soldiers struggle with how the war affected them as they struggle to save a young girl who is dying of hypothermia. One of the men fights to save her in place of loosing his brother in the war, while the other begins to believe in fate/god again after loosing it in his struggles.

THE RECONSTRUCTION OF KASPER KLARK is a bizarre tale of a man who's mouth is located in the center of his forehead instead of where it rightly should be. This story is at times funny and at other times horrifying as Kasper goes to the devil's 'plastic surgery clinic' to get his condition fixed.

THE TERRACOTTA WARRIOR is the tale of a monster who is released when an ancient Terracotta Warrior 'statue' is broken, releasing it to reak havok on an insurance fellow and a retired soldier and his staff. It's the story of bravery found in the most unlikely places.

Finally, THE LEMON MAN, is a disturbing tale of heaven, love, family, and friendship. Half of the story is of a man who's longtime marriage is in shambles and the way he horribly deals with the situation. The other half of the story is his revelations as he deals with celestial beings in a strange corner of heaven. The story ended with an incredible twist that left my jaw open.

Fourtold is a thinking person's book. Not that the reader has to stop and consider every point in the story, but that when the book is put down you continue to consider the tales, finding new and disturbing aspects of them even once the story is finished. As I read the book I liked the next tale even more than the last one, and when the last story was read I regretted not having just one more tale to read, though if there had been another one I imagine I would have just wanted one more after that.

Wonderful, probably my favorite new book of the year. All four of the novellas are lovely in their own way-- almost uniformly disturbing in one way or another, but painted with such pretty strokes it's sometimes hard to see it coming. I'd recommend it for anyone who likes a bit of darkness in their reading, particularly if their tastes lean toward well-crafted literary darkness.

The reviews above this one have gone through the specifics of the novellas fabulously, but I want to go on record and say that although I really enjoyed them all, my favorite was The Lemon Man. It literally made my heart pound with its subtle, psychological storytelling.

Hey People,

If you haven't had a chance to check out FOURTOLD yet and those awesome blurbs aren't enough to entice you, then let me tell you what you're missing...

First off, let's start with the book itself: you get a nice 6X9 hardback with dust jacket, featuring some disturbingly beautiful artwork made from Mike's own schoze and choppers. You can't get more personal than that! Inside you're going to find 197 pages awaiting your eyes. And starting things off is an incredible foreword by author Gary Kilworth. Gary is a master in his field, and it's no surprise Mike's talent earned a full introduction from this amazing writer.

Now, the stories. Each is a unique cross-genre journey that will entertain you from start to finish.

San Ferry Ann: Set to the backdrop of World War I, this story follows two soldiers as they cross war-torn Belgium in an effort to be free of the fighting. But their trek is quickly sidetracked when they discover a young girl lying forgotten in a field, desperately in need of help. The two travel to a nearby estate, where food, medicine, and profound self-discovery awaits. Mike shows off his incredible ability to capture the ambiance of the period, and draws you further into each of the characters' emotions with every turn of the page.

The Reconstruction of Kasper Clark: Follow Kasper Clark on a surreal journey into a medical clinic where Kasper's facial disfigurement is nothing compared to the horrors and revelations he'll discover inside. Here Mike's imagination is unleashed and you'll encounter scenes that are dreamlike, exotic, frightening, and just plain weird, which are what makes this story so much fun.

The Terracotta Warrior: Enter Solomon Barley, an insurance assessor summoned to the great estate of Mister Charles Morris, a retired army major and collector of rare antiquities. Among the Major's latest acquisitions is a terracotta statue, one of the thousands built to defend the First Emperor of China in the afterlife. But Sol soon finds that the statue is hollow...and there's more than the dust of long-lost ages hiding inside. This is another example of Mike's skill at crafting an adventure set in the past. TW is action-packed, and full of genuinely creepy moments.

Lemon Man: Something is happening to Russel Hamilton, something he can't quite explain. He sees the Lemon Man, a gold-skinned creature who appears in Russel's dreams...but are they dreams or nightmares? Mike spins another fantastic tale of phantasmal strangeness and dramatic character development that leaves you feeling like you've been to the Twilight Zone and back. A nice counterpoint to Kasper Clark, and a fine finish for the book, Lemon Man has become my favorite Michael Stone story to date.

Michael Stone's Fourtold (Baysgarth Publications, 2008) is a special book, a collection of four novellas/novelettes with each operating on a different level of dark fantasy.

The first offering, "San Ferry Anne", as the least "speculative" of the tales, gently ushers the reader into Stone's world, allowing his prose--simple and eloquent--to paint a story of two friends coping with the aftermath of The Great War.

"The Reconstruction of Kasper Clark" comes next, leading the story's namesake to a bizarre clinic run by the devil. The "clinic" helps cure Kasper's condition (his mouth is located in the middle of his forehead), but leaves him with a strange addiction. Stone makes the most of the devil's playground, creating weird scenes and fantastic characters that somehow feel normal...at least in that strange place.

"The Terracotta Warrior" is largely a romping bit of old fashioned pulp fiction fun. Even so, Stone's characters are well rounded and believable--more than the cardboard "types" which populated the pulps of old. At its heart a monster story, "The Terracotta Warrior" also tells a tale of courage in unexpected forms.

Finally, we have "Lemon Man". From the first page, the reader feels as disoriented as the protagonist(s), but Stone is in control. Two seemingly separate narratives intertwine, only to come together in truly magnificent fashion in a story that touches family, love, friendship...even heaven and, in a manner, hell. Stone's ability to paint the truly fantastic world at the heart of "Lemon Man" left my brain reeling.

Fourtold is a great sampler of Michael Stone's work. I found his easy prose, his natural, descriptive style, and near flawless presentation a joy to read, even when describing terrible angels or undead guardians of ancient tombs. I'd recommend the book to anyone with a taste for dark fantasy...especially something a little different than the usual tropes which tend to choke the genre.

Fourtold by Michael Stone is due out in paperback within the next few weeks. In honor of this event, I wanted to share with you my first collection review. I know I often promote the works of friends and strangers alike. If you have followed my journal for any length of time, you know that Mr. Stone falls easily into the first category for me. Years ago, I read "The Devil's Fauna." I hadn't attempted any of my own writing at that point but was interested in having a go at the craft myself. I was impressed with his story. It was actually my first beta read. I have followed his career from that day forward. I have learned so much since that time. Sitting down to read his collected works, I felt a bit nostalgic.

Admittedly, I am not well read in broad literature or genre literature. I made great headway through the classics growing up. When I first encountered King in high school and then later Rice, I could hardly pick up a book not written by one or the other. I was addicted. Few books since falling in love with those two have satisfied my desire to be swept into a story.

I read Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill this year. In pushing my husband to read the book, I compared him to King. I liked his down-to-earth style and use of music for the sake of the plot. His word choices also struck me. It felt like going home again. This was the only time in my life I compared another writer to King in any way, shape, or form. Ronald Damien Malfi,brotherrabbit, was kind enough to inform me that Hill is actually King's son. I had no idea.

::deep breath:: Michael Stone has the ability to find the perfect word at the perfect moment. He sets a situation so that you can anchor it in reality (no matter the case). He places successful humor where you least expect it. His ability to pull you into a character to the point you feel their anxiety, agony, and fear reminds me of King in my early days of discovery. His writing embodies everything I hold dear about King's work.

Beyond that, he pulls in some of my favorite things about the way Anne Rice writes. No, you will not find vampires in this collection. What you will find is an accurate sense of history and culture. You will find yourself slipping into explorations of religion and human nature to the point of self-examination without realizing just how far our dear writer has taken you. You will find yourself buried in the pysche of the main character. Most importantly, you will find the images he creates for you to be near overwhelming in both beauty and horror. This is the absolute best praise I know how to give a work of fiction. This is not support for a dear friend. This is respect for a job well done. A craft well mastered. I am in awe of the skillful execution of each piece.

"San Ferry Ann" begins our journey into Mr. Stone's world. We follow two war veterans on a journey back to themselves. The backdrop is set in a Europe recently decimated by WW1. The reality is harsh. Townspeople see the flu in the same light as the plague. The weather mirrors the coldness of the hearts of people and the times in which they struggle to live. What strikes you most is the imagery created from the very beginning. Every word carries more than its weight. Images, painted in broad strokes and fine detail, create splashes of light and beauty as well as the darkest moments of battle. The humorous touches add just the right comic relief. The emotions depicted are genuine. You have no prince charming. You have real people dealing with real tragedy. War is its own brand of horror. Michael Stone serves this up in heart-wrenching detail. I think the word that kept coming to mind when I read the story was that it was honest. He did not need to go over the top to deliver the story. You are engaged in the characters. You will feel what they do and in the end, you will need the resolution.

"The Reconstruction of Kasper Clark" Mr. Clark has a deformity. Often in this story, I felt myself trying to look away in my mind's eye. The details given are so real that you feel as though you are invading his personal space. You feel as if you are staring at Mr. Clark and he has caught your ignorant gaze. I descended with Mr. Clark into a place I was not certain I wanted to go. In fact, I wanted to beg him not to go. Somehow, I was compelled to continue the journey though. I had to see it play out for him. I am entirely sure he felt the same. My biggest medical fear is in the dentist office. I hope it pleases Stone to know that at times while reading this story, I felt trapped in the dentist chair. That fear, that terror is as close as I have come in my life to an out of body experience. Stone, you get points for creating that kind of anxiety in this reader. The transitions are brilliant and seamless. One moment you are dealing with plastic surgery, complex plastic surgery and the next you have travelled on to a reconstruction that is not merely physical but also mental. Perfection, acceptance, and societal norms all factor in to the grand scheme and are woven into this tale with skill that allows the themes to seep unnoticed into your subconscious while you bite your nails on behalf of Mr. Clark.

"The Terracotta Warrior" This is one vicious little tale. Of all the stories, this one felt the most like an adventure movie. I love the contrast between the main characters. I think the back story of each develops them and adds important depth that pulls you further into their struggle. There are surprises in this story. When the action starts, you are only allowed short breathers before it rumbles on again. We have a castle, a horse, and a motorcycle plus one nasty creature. Edge-of- your-seat is not an exaggeration. You really could not ask for more. Stone delivers it anyway. He is generous like that. The epilogue at the end is a bonus for me. I find it tidies things up nicely. Oh yeah and it gave me an extra shudder. Creepy.

"Lemon Man" We travel through two realities in this story. For all the fast moves of the warriors in the last, this one shifts at the speed of light or thought; take your pick. This story is set in the most every day manner. Our hero falls in love. He marries. He falls asleep...a lot. He has narcolepsy. Enter the lemon man. Exit the nice happy reality. One world unravels. The other grows increasingly angelic, surreal. The plot line delivers one devastating punch after another. Left breathless, you wonder what will happen next and to whom. Each struggle has its own downward spiral. You are completely wrapped up in it from the beginning. The last punch is a knockout. I felt every bit of this story; it is tangible. My mind will be processing this story for some time to come. For me, those are the best kind.

I can't pick a favorite. I can tell you that I loved them all for different reasons. This collection was an experience for me. You really need to add this book to the top of your TO READ list, seriously. It is worth it. When you finish, come back and tell me what you thought. I am dying to know. I will leave the night light on for you. I think I am going to have to anyway.