Customer Reviews

Highlander: An Evening at Joe's

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This is a book that anyone who is a fan of Highlander:The Series will definitely enjoy. These short stories (some of which are really short) were written by the people who know Highlander:The Series best including Ken Gord (the Producer of the show), F. Braun McAsh (the show's swordmaster), Jim Byrnes (Joe Dawson), Peter Wingfield (Methos), Valentine Pelka (Kronos) and Stan Kirsch (Richie). Having the actors/crew write these stories instead of a "known" writer gives this collection of short stories a more personal feeling. The actors have gone one step further in exploring a side of their character than what was seen on the screen. Don't expect every story to include or even be about Duncan. That's what makes these stories so interesting. Jim's story is a look at Joe's experience in Vietnam. We finally get a look at the famous Methos Chronicles. We also get an idea of the relationship between Methos and Alexa from the time they left Joe's until Geneva. And Stan's story.. well you just have to read it for yourself (to tell you more would ruin the experience). In more than one case a totally different spin was put on the story. All in all these amateur writers did a great job of revisiting the Highlander characters we love. Hopefully there will be a second book somewhere down the line.

An Evening at Joe's is an amazing anthology of fiction by various people involved in the television show 'Highlander.' While all of the stories were enjoyable, a few really stood out.

"Train from Bordeaux" is especially interesting, in that it explores the relationship of Methos to his "brothers," most especially Silas. It is rather bittersweet, and quite touching. It was writting by Gillian Horvath, a creative consultant on 'Highlander' and the editor of this book.

Another strong story, co-writting by Gillian Horvath and Donna Lettow, is "Postcards from Alexa." As the title suggests, this story covers the time that Methos and Alexa spent together (that was never show on-screen). It is a beautiful story, and it makes one want to cry at the end.

No Highlander anthology would be complete without a light-hearted Amanda story, and "The Star of Athena," by Laura Brennen, fits the bill perfectly.

"From the Grave," by Stan Kirsh, was an excellent portrayal of Richie. But then who would know the character better then the man who played him for six years?

Other notable stories, include "Consone's Diary, by Anthony De Longis and "The Staircase" by Valentine Pelka. "Consone's Diary" is the story of the Immortal Consone's (from the episode "Duende") meetings with MacLeod - told from Consone's point of view. Mr. Pelka's story is very thought provoking story about man's will to survive.

Overall, this is a great book, a must for every Highlander fan.

Very interesting book. Written not only by professional writers, but also by members of the cast and crew, it turns out to be a good source for new Highlander related stories, for the delight of those who followed the TV series -- and always wanted more.

Some of the short stories complete the ones developed on TV, filling those blanks you didn't see on the show; others, makes you feel as if you were watching a brand-new episode of Highlander. The stories varies from writer to writer, but yet you are able to enjoy all of them equally.

My favorites are "Post Cards From Alexa" (if you like Methos, you'll love it), "The Star of Athena" (Amanda in her better shape), "Pants" (very funny), "Consone's Diary" (MacLeod from Consone's point of view), "The Methos Chronicles Part I" (centuries of Methos' life are covered here) and "The Other Side of The Mirror" (Adrian Paul trapped in an alternative world).

This cast-and-crew short fiction anthology is one of the best I've read. Clever new story lines featuring favorite characters from the Highlander mythos ... wonderful stuff. "Postcards from Alexa" made me cry; "Pants" made me laugh. A must for any Highlander fan.

A remarkably good book from a bunch of folks who, for the most part, are not professional writers. The stories are fascinating and happily, most are well-written too. Methos fans will love it. Although Duncan puts in an occasional appearance, a surprising number of the stories revolve around the Really Old Guy. There's a cute (yet predictable) Amanda-caper. The "Postcards from Alexa" section has some very funny bits ("What do you mean 'the Grand Canyon is closed'?"). It also has some very painful bits and on the whole is wonderfully done. Richie and Joe show up in several stories. Valentine Pelka seems to have missed the point about contributing to a *Highlander anthology* but his novella is amazing nonetheless. Peter Wingfield contributed a decidedly odd take on the Horsemen. And the short story "Pants" can only be described as brilliantly ridiculous. It's a real treat to get to see the Highlander world through the eyes of these people. Well worth the money.

Not your run-of-the-mill anthology by any means, this collection of stories is written by folks who knew Highlander: The Series best... the crew and cast. Stories, short and long, written by the show's actors, writers, a producer, swordmaster, etc. give new insight into the lives of immortals. For the most part the stories focus on the beloved characters from the show and they range from the silly to the sublime, the thoughtful to the most heartbreaking (yes, you may need a tissue to two). Each author brings a unique style and perspective to his/her story and this will keep you turning the page, story after story, to see what kind of treat is next. It's a fascinating and fitting tribute to the show.

This is a wonderful book and a must read for all fans of "Highlander". The cast and crew did a marvelous job of joining forces one last time to give us several wonderful short stories. "Post Cards From Alexa" is moving and beautiful. While "Pants" is sure to give you a good laugh. I would recommend this book to any fan of the show or the movies.

I thought this book did a terrific job of adding highlights and details to the immortals we have come to love watching and hearing about. I thoroughly enjoyed the stories by Laura Brennan, Anthony De Longis, The Postcards from Alexa (series), and Ken Gord. I did not however like a few of the stories, because they droned on, such as the staircase and death shall have no dominion. I am sure they are good stories on their own, but they did not fit in this collection of stories very well, in my opinion.

One of the best entries--and I would argue, THE best--in the world of Highlander fiction. This collection is written by people who were intimately connected with the production of Highlander: The Series, and it shows in the loving detail, the ability to capture the wonder--and the terror--inherent in an Immortal's existence. These folks know this Universe and the characters that people it, and it comes through on every page. (Even Val Pelka's entry, while not related to the world of Immortals, deals compellingly with issues of life, death, and what it takes to survive the ultimate battle--while reading it, I kept flashing on scenes from the movies and series that this story evoked.) Hopefully this will be the first of many such volumes.

As a longtime Highlander fan, I was eager to dive into this collection. The title is a bit deceptive--I expected a rnning narrative thread to tie all of the tales together like The Canterbury Tales. However, the lead in makes it clear that this is non-pro fiction by (mostly) non-writers and that only minimal editing was done--and that's part of the book's charm. Great literature it's not--enjoyable? Absolutely. My favorite is a tale that tosses Adrian Paul into a "Duck Amuck Meets Twilight Zone" nightmare of being trapped in the Studio From Hell--what happens to Stan Kirsch in this tale is...no, I won't spoil it for you. "He Scores!" is a comic gem with history's most creative beheading. Peter Wingfield's tale is disappointing and disjointed--thank god he has other talents. Stan Kirsch and Jim Byrnes do first rate jobs writing from Ritchie and Joe's perspectives. "Postcards from Alexa" has a bit too much fanzine-level romance-novel-type sex, but the ending will break your heart. And of course, Amanda gets to shine in a tale of her own.

All in all, it's great light reading--a good book to toss in your suitcase for a weekend trip.