The Gist Hunter and Other Stories [Hardcover]

Matthew Hughes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 18, 2005

The first collection by writer Matthew Hughes, and the perfect companion to his acclaimed novel Black Brillion, The Gist Hunter and Other Stories features nine stories taking place in the universe of The Archonate, as well as four non-series stories. The stories of Henghis Hapthorn, Old Earth's "foremost freelance discriminator", combine mystery and science fantasy while simultaneously recalling the arch irony of Gene Wolfe and the sly fancies of Jack Vance.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

With three critically acclaimed novels, Hughes has made a name for himself as heir apparent to Jack Vance, for he exhibits a similar predilection for merging sly wit and sharply drawn characters in visions of a dying, far-future Earth. His stories often take place in a human-populated, interstellar dominion known as the Archonate, and all but four of the tales in his first collection of short stories are set in this politically charged realm. Six stories follow the adventures of Henghis Hapthorn, a brilliant "discriminator" for the Archonate Bureau of Security who in one outing investigates a sudden blight of ugliness that afflicts all adult males, including himself; another inquiry has him sorting through a long list of candidates for the murderer of a ruthless Old Earth magnate. Other stories feature Guth Bandar, the scholarly Jungian psychologist of Hughes' recent novel, Black Brillion (2004). Rounding out the book are four impressive non--Archonate tales that demonstrate Hughes' creative versatility. An engaging introduction to one of sf's most gifted rising stars. Carl Hays
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Hardcover: 247 pages
• Publisher: Night Shade Books (October 18, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1597800201
• ISBN-13: 978-1597800204
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #522,812 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Refreshingly Different, July 2, 2007

By 

David Hood (Wesley Chapel, FL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Gist Hunter and Other Stories (Hardcover)

This collection of stories, most originally appearing in the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction or ending up published there eventually is a welcome change of pace from all the formulaic science fiction and fantasy. I had originally read virtually everyone of these stories in F&SF but it is nice to have them collected.

Though much is made of the appeal this will have to fans of Jack Vance's Dying Earth I will be honest. I did not like the Dying Earth stories. The only comparison I can see is that Hughes is writing in a time period immediately before Vance's end of the earth time period. Despite my dislike of the Dying Earth, I found these stories to be very good.

There are three different types of stories in the book, the stories about Hengis Hapthorn, the stories about Guth Bandar, and some miscellaneous stories.

The stories of Hengis Hapthorn, the self-professed foremost freelance discriminator of Earth show us the society of the world through the eyes of essentially a private investigator. Through these stories we see the world change from being ruled from science and logic to the rule of magic and sympathy which would usher in the age of the Dying Earth. These are all shorter works and of a more whimsical bent.

The stories of Guth Bandar show the "collective unconcious" of the universe. A realm where the archetypes of our dreams and history play in situations over and over. Base characters such as Hero, Fool, Helper, Wise Man, Evil Tyrant etc. and the tasks they perform. This is where we would go when we dream. Guth, a noonaut, can access it at will. These are longer tales of a more serious bent and I think better than the Hapthorn works.

Finally there are the stories with no connection to the era in which the previous stories took place. Here we have two very similar disturbing time travel stories, a Retief like story of interstellar diplomacy/trade which was quite good, and a more atmospheric/emotional piece about a boy and dreams of a bear during a tumultous adolescent move.

Highly recommended for those looking for something different.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent SF collection, February 22, 2006

By 

Steven A. Oerkfitz (Pontiac, Mi United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Gist Hunter and Other Stories (Hardcover)

This first collection of stories from Matthew Hughes is a wonder.Ive read his 3 novels and enjoyed them immensely.This collection does not disappoint.If you like Jack Vance-especially his Cugel the Clever stories-you'll enjoy these. Well written and very colorful.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, November 19, 2007

By 

Susan Mills "susan" (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Gist Hunter and Other Stories (Hardcover)

and a very nice introduction to Henghis Hapthorne and fascinating cohorts. I don't usually read short stories but enjoyed these immensely. I've just read the two Hapthorne novels and plan to read more of his work. Droll yet quite relevant.