Customer Reviews

Long Walks, Last Flights & Other Strange Journeys

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You expect alot from published authors. A firm grasp of language, a talent at turning a phrase, an understanding of the Hero's Journey and arc of character. Ken has all of this, but something that is all too rare in today's writers - he knows your heart. I suspect this is because he is very familiar with HIS heart, and we all share moments and memories through life.
Long Walks, Last Flights & Other Strange Journeys is full of adventure, hardship, humor, even a few scares, but what struck me was how close I came to weeping in certain parts - tears of loss for sure, but sometimes tears just from the utter wonderment and joy that some of these stories contained. Ken reached into my soul and brought up real, honest-to-goodness feelings from my childhood, from my young adulthood, hell, even from a week ago. What an absolute treat.

What happens when you roll John Scalzi, Neil Gaiman, AA Milne and Steven King all together? You get Ken Scholes new book, Long Walks, Last Flights & Other Strange Journeys. This book is a series of short stories that captivates the reader. This is one of those rare, well built well constructed short story collections as a book, and was very enjoyable to read. You should plan on reading this on a Friday night, because you are going to stay up late reading this one. While there might be some of the short stories you will skip over, many of them are engrossing and entertaining.

Scholes takes a very humanist view point on his characters and that thread is the continuity, we are exploring people in context of technology. That is why he is like Scalzi; it is not the technology that we surround ourselves with, it is what we do with it, and how it makes us more or less human. Many of the stories are along these lines, with the ability to touch the meme of people like Gaiman, the humor and innocence of AA Milne, and the plausible but scary viewpoint of Steven King. You are rolling all of these into some of the better short stories, as the author explores their art. Some of the stories people are going to skip over, sometimes the literary prose gets to be a bit thick for the casual reader, but for those who like rich context that is not a distraction.

The stories are overall well crafted and meaningful; most readers will find something to connect with throughout the book. This book is rated five of five stars, stay up all night reading and simply enjoy the interplay of words, people, concepts and viewpoints. Even better this is one of those truly rare short story collections that is a powerhouse all the way through, there is almost no dead wood in here. People will find something engaging in almost all the stories throughout the book.

I don't know Ken Scholes ... but I wish I did.

The only collection that comes close to the wonder and imagination of Long Walks, Last Flights & Other Strange Journeys is Scholes's other collection -- Diving Mimes, Weeping Czars & Other Unusual Suspects.

I'm usually the kind of person that can devour a short story collection in a matter of hours, but I found myself pausing between each of these, savoring them ... they reminded me of why short stories can be magic. Each was a lighting bolt of creativity, and while I'm not sure every one struck home, they each made an impression.

Now I'm anxious to read his novels. Thanks for the stories, Ken -- you've got a new fan.

This is a great collection of short stories. I enjoyed each of them, but I especially loved the "Last Flight of the Goddess" and "Summer in Paris, Light from the Sky." Simply beautiful.

This collection inspired me to pick up my pen and start writing again, while daunting me at the same time. "Can I write stories as good as these?" I ask myself. I won't know until I try.

This is why I love short stories, these are funny, and they made me cry. I forced my family to listen while I read Edward Bear and the very long walk and Last Flight of the Goddess. Later at Orycon - picked up a special edition reprint of just one of these short stories the Last Flight of the Goddess -- the story is a tribute to a aging hero's wife that he first meet when they were young, and she fell out of the sky. Almost poetry.

LONG WALKS, LAST FLIGHTS AND OTHER STRANGE JOURNEYS BY KEN SCHOLES: Ken Scholes is the author of Lamentation, a five-book series called the Psalms of Isaak. For those looking for some other examples of Scholes' writing (and if you read and loved Lamentation and need something else by him right away), then Long Walks, Last Flights and Other Strange Journeys is the book for you. Featuring sixteen stories and one novella, it is a great collection that shows the true range of this blossoming author, as well as his love for not just story, but strong characters.

The collection begins with a wonderful preface from Patrick Swenson and a glowing introduction from James Van Pelt. With the very first story, "The Man With Great Despair Behind His Eyes," it is clear that Scholes has a knack for telling unique stories. The story is about Meriwether Lewis and his journey across North America after a special meeting with Jefferson; on the other side of the country he meets with a man close to death who is a supposed time traveler from the twentieth century. "One Small Step" explores a world where chimpanzees have been trained as workers and mount an uprising against the humans on the surface of the moon. "Edward Bear and the Very Long Walk" is the story of a toy robotic bear that is the last hope for the world, but with each step is brought closer to his demise, but first he must complete his quest.

With each of these stories, Scholes hasn't simply created an incredible story, but unique characters that you immediately care about, whether they're human or not. You are moved in their journey or quest, supporting them, wanting them to make it to whatever the end is. When they falter, you falter with them, sadness in your heart; when they triumph, you smile along with them. Long Walks, Last Flights and Other Strange Journeys will keep you comforted in the wait between Lamentation and Scholes' next book in the series, Canticle, as you continue to enjoy the great writing from this new author.

Check out the BookBanter podcast for an upcoming exclusive interview with author Ken Scholes at: http://bookbanter.podbean.com.

I just finished Lamentations. Excellent book. I read voraciously - most genres especially fantasy. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the sequels.
This is the 1st time I've ever taken the 'time" to write a review and recommendation.
F.H. aka Jon