Strange Tales Of Secret Lives (Hardcover)

~ Jeff VanderMeer (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In this new collection by World Fantasy Award winner Jeff VanderMeer, the secret lives of librarians, doctors, lawyers, university students, bank tellers, sex shop clerks and dozens of others are revealed for the first time. Ordered by profession, these short-short stories range from the hilarious to the somber, the absurd to the revelatory. Using real people as the springboard, VanderMeer has created a rich blend of the factual and the imaginary in which everyone gets the secret life they deserve. A luminous little book meant for dipping into one secret life at a time.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Prime Books; illustrated edition edition (May 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080951088X
• ISBN-13: 978-0809510887
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #183,945 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A Window into Secret Lives , July 10, 2008

By	David P. Driscoll - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is the product of a weird and unique promotion by Mark Zeising, former publisher--and current purveyer--of high quality new and used Sci-Fi/Fantasy books. The deal Zeising proposed, and VanderMeer somehow agreed to, was that purchasers of VanderMeer's collection of stories, Secret Life, would get their own personal "secret life" written and published in this collection. As much as I love and trust Zeising, this was a project I had to see to believe. And here it is. What is most surprising is the coherence of the book. This is not just slick packaging, but a truly readable, if somewhat uneven, collection of the fantasy lives of regular folks, few of whom have any other claim to fame. VanderMeer's work, while impossible to categorize, perhaps falls closest into the magic realism category. There is a detectable existential angst, but very little darkness. VanderMeer blends the mundane with the extremely unlikely in a Phildickian manner that can only be experienced, and many of the stories are absolutely hilarious in their unexpectedly absurdity. Limited to 1000 signed and numbered edtions published by Prime Books, this book is not only a great read, but a good investment.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quiet and bizarre places in the heart and soul of humanity, October 8, 2009

By	Schtinky "Schtinky" (California) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

K.J. Bishop, author of the stunning novel 'The Etched City', described 'Secret Lives' by Jeff VanderMeer as "whimsical". It is that and so much more. Have you ever wondered what the guy sitting next to you on the plane does? What are his secrets? Have you ever walked into someone's house for the first time and discovered an entire room dedicated to train sets or that Mr. Neat owns twelve cats and his house stinks like urine? The truth is, you never know just what walks behind the minds of humanity. Now Jeff VanderMeer has explored this vast fertile ground.

'Secret Lives' is a small book with a ribbon placemarker, rather like a journal; perfect for pocket or purse. Each chapter is a name, and highlights the secret life of that person. Some chapters are as short as flash fiction and others long enough for a short story. You'll find a man who believes he is an emperor, a man who sees "paths", a woman who claims to hear the voices of flowers, and so very much more; thirty-six views into the brains of everyday folk; people from all sorts of professions revealing untold mysteries of their personal lives. 'Secret Lives' is interesting, entertaining, charming, unique, superbly written ... and definitely whimsical.

The cover art by Terry Rentzepis is fantastic, and well suited to the content of the book. I simply cannot recommend this book highly enough, even if you're not a die-hard fan of VanderMeer as I am. It's perfect for bedside reading, travel, waiting rooms, the beach, or just a quick fantastical journey into different realms of gray matter. Ten Stars! Enjoy!