Thumbprints [Hardcover]

Pamela Sargent (Author), James Morrow (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2004

This eclectic group of short stories traverses time, place, and genre to deliver vivid accounts of captivating worlds, both real and imagined. By weaving together the historical and the fantastic, the stories in this collection produce fascinating narratives that remain deeply human. The startling title story, “Thumbprints,” explores the darker side of the book business when a literary agent goes too far to ensure that his author’s fees are paid in full. “Erdeni’s Tiger,” a historical drama, features a young wife in twelfth-century Mongolia who must master the spirit world to save her tribe. “Climb the Wind” revisits Mongolia in a modern-day setting as the country’s military past haunts its current inhabitants.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Editor Terry Carr once rejected two of Sargent's early stories, saying that her talent for characterization deserved better plots. In the 30-odd years since, Sargent has found some. Included are some of her best older tales: from the 1970s, "Gather Blue Roses," a sparse and tender depiction of the pain of empathy, and "If Ever I Should Leave You," a gorgeously heartbreaking twist on a familiar time-travel theme; and from the 1980s, the satisfying duet of "Originals" and "Shrinker," two very different takes on classic artists' dilemmas unchanged by modern gadgetry. The more recent works particularly shine, from the bittersweet realism of "Amphibians" through the well-honed satire of "Thumbprints" to the starry dreams of "Venus Flowers at Night" (a prequel to the trilogy concluded by 2002's Child of Venus). The collection is rounded out by "Climb The Wind," "Erdeni's Tiger" and "Spirit Brother," three eloquently mystical tales of Mongolias past and present. "Utmost Bones" and "Out of Place" are the only weak points, interesting ideas without much else to recommend them. This solid volume does a good job of showcasing Sargent's impressive range of style and theme, but given lukewarm receptions for the three collections she published in 2002 and 2003, it's unlikely to get much attention from nonfans.
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From Booklist

A much-honored and versatile writer here collects some of her shorter fiction. The title story, one of the more recently written, is an sf treatment of the conflict, for any creator, between artistic integrity and the rewards and pressures of the market. "Gather Blue Roses," one of the earlier pieces, deals with the Holocaust. "Venus Flowers at Night" and "Utmost Bones" reflect probably her best-known work, the Venus trilogy (Venus of Dreams [1986], Venus of Shadows [1988], Child of Venus [2001]). Her historical novel of Genghis Khan, Ruler of the Sky (1993), which she characterizes in the afterword to this book as having something in common with the tale of alien invasion, led to the historical stories "Erdeni's Tiger" and "Spirit Brother," and "Climb the Wind" shows her using similar elements in an sf milieu. Other stories manifest not only Sargent's command of language and characterization but also influences as varied as The Twilight Zone; Albany, New York (her hometown); and 9/11. Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 345 pages
• Publisher: Golden Gryphon Press (October 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1930846290
• ISBN-13: 978-1930846296
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,517,924 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Very Little Science Fiction, April 21, 2008

By 

Michel - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thumbprints (Hardcover)

That collection of short stories displays PS's talent for writing and nothing else. All stories fail to grab the reader's attention. Either they are rehashes or long boring descriptions going nowhere. Yet I plodded through, always expecting the next story to be better than the previous one but never was I rewarded. Being a talentuous writer is not enough when imagination leaves you, indeed.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sargent's newest collection distinctive as a thumbprint, November 27, 2004

By 

M. K. Melloy (Cambridge, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thumbprints (Hardcover)

Pamela Sargent is one of the most gifted writers of speculative fiction and fantasy working today. Her readership is privileged to have this new collection out now, showcasing twelve fine stories. "Thumbprints" spans early work such as the classic love story "If Ever I Should Leave You," right up to the brand-new title tale, a black comedy of literary bad manners. There are several stories from her "Mongolia" tapestry, including the modern-day "Climb the Wind" and the Genghis Khan tales "Erdeni's Tiger" and "Spirit Brother." There is a new "Venus" tale, the prequel "Venus Flowers at Night". There are tales of familiar family dynamics in strange situations -- "Amphibians," "Gather Blue Roses" -- and strange futurities driven by familiar human frailties -- "Originals," "Shrinker." Most of all, there's heart and soul, for Sargent prefers to tell us about people, rather than technology. Sargent's distinctive voice is alive in these stories, and endlessly expressive.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting and mystical tales, October 30, 2004

By 

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

This review is from: Thumbprints (Hardcover)

Pamela Sargent is one of today's most imaginative and talented fantasy writers. Thumprints is an anthology of twelve of her short fiction pieces -- each of which is a minor gem of creative story telling. Some of the tales take place in twelfth-century Mongolia; one in present day Mongolia; one follows a charcter from Sargent's "Venus" trilogy; a title story that delves just how far a nearly demonic literary agent will go to ensure that his fees are paid; and several more. Exciting and mystical tales, steeped in the resonance of culture and defying prediction until the last page is turned, Thumbprints is highly recommended, especially for fans of Sargent's other works.