The Surgeon's Tale (Paperback)

~ (Author), Jeff VanderMeer (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In a world where magic is fading and science begun to ascend, a young surgeon in medical school experiences an obsession so forbidden that its realization will change him forever. "She looked as if she were asleep, still with that slight smile, floating on the thick sargassum, glowing from the emerald tincture that would keep the small crabs and other scavengers from her. She looked otherworldly and beautiful." Sometimes life is not enough. Also including five more stories of dark wonder from Rambo and VanderMeer, from "The Dead Girl's Wedding March" to "The Farmer's Cat." Enter a world of rat suitors, severed arms, and Fungi Et Fruits de Mer, served up with prose both appetizing and uncanny. Dark fantasy has never been quite so decadent . . .

Product Details

• Paperback: 100 pages
• Publisher: Prime (November 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809572680
• ISBN-13: 978-0809572687
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 4.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #716,519 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love the Surgeon, November 25, 2007

By	Mary Robinette Kowal (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

I just finished reading The Surgeon's Tale and Other Stories by Cat Rambo and Jeff Vandermeer. I gotta tell you, this slim volume of tales had me on every page. The title story, a collaboration between the two authors, owes its roots to Poe and Shelley; it's like a literary fairy tale take on Frankenstein. Everytime you think you know which dark path the story is going to turn down, it spins down another one that's even darker. It alone would be worth the price of admission.

"The Farmer's Cat," by Mr. Vandermeer, though set in Norway, reminds me fondly of Iceland. The way the farmer-protagonist handles his troll infestation is that I can imagine some of my co-workers doing.

Also of note is "A Key Decides its Destiny" by Ms. Rambo. My heavens. This is the sort of story that turned me on to adult fairy tales in the first place. It feels like a much older tale and something that would have found its way into the Datlow & Windling fairy tale anthologies if they were still compiling them.

I've just mentioned half the stories in the anthology, any one of which would be worth picking it up for. There are three more stories every bit as good.

Not only that, but it's pretty too, with interior illustrations by Kris Dyckman and a cover by James A. Owen. Definitely think about picking up a copy. The Surgeon's Tale is so slender, it would make a lovely stocking stuffer for the reader on your list.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars mmm mmm good, August 26, 2008

By	B. Alexander - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this book not sure of what to expect, but I couldnt resist another jeff vandermeer read. Its safe to say i wasnt disapointed. Another collection of beautiful stories, and a new aouthor for me to obsess over. Cat Rambo's The Dead Girls Wedding March is one of the most beautiful and fun stories ive ever read. If you like a little dark, a little surreal, and super well written literature than this one is for you.

5.0 out of 5 stars Elegant, fun dark fantasy: Frankenstein, zombies, Cthulhu, August 21, 2009

By	Shel Graves (Seattle) - See all my reviews

This story collection contains charming and elegant dark fantasy and humorous fairy tales. The title story, co-authored by Cat Rambo and Jeff VanderMeer, creates a unique world in an oceanic setting as the backdrop for a Frankenstein's obsession (the mad scientist not the monster). In Rambo's "The Dead Girl's Wedding March," a zombie girl's defiance of her father in the City of the Dead leads to dire romance -- with a rat. "The Strange Case of the Lovecraft Cafe," by M.F. Korn, D.F. Lewis, and Jeff VanderMeer is a full-course of must read for foodies and minions of Cthulhu from the Flaming Whole Giant Penguin to the Dripping Eidolon (dessert!).