A scientist in a world where all of nature points to proof of God’s hand in creation finds her faith shaken by a discovery that suggests that Earth was not the center…
Author: Michael Hartford
“The Merchant and the Alchemist’s Gate” by Ted Chiang
A merchant tells several stories, including his own, about a gate in Baghdad that lets one visit, but not alter, the past and the future. This is a fascinating and sometimes baroque…
“Stand Your Skin” by Colin Barrett
A reclusive young man goes out for a rare night at the pub and has a really unpleasant time. The characters and voices of this story are strong and distinctive; Bat comes…
“Raining Street” by J.S. Breukelaar
A newly widowed mother is tricked by her neighbor to visit a distant district to buy exotic foods, and finds that she is trapped in the realm of the dead. This story…
“Like Ripples on a Blank Shore” by J.S. Breukelaar
A woman is plagued by a mysterious horde of zombie-like beings who create a strange zone of bad luck and fluke events. This is an odd story that drops you into the…
“A Lingering Guest” by Jane Barlow
A woman returns from the States to visit her grandmother in Ireland, and is tricked into returning with her young cousin. This is a nice, sentimental little tale with a roguish wit…
“The Quest” by Leland Bardwell
A woman visits the baby she gave up, now a middle-aged man, and is surprised at his art. This is the first story in Sinead Gleeson’s “The Art of the Glimpse” anthology,…
“Alexandra Lost” by Simon Strantzas
A woman who is fearful of traveling is overcome with dread and anxiety upon her first visit to the ocean. Like most of the stories in this collection, this one balances mundane…
“The Terrific Mr. Toucan” by Simon Strantzas
A woman’s ruminations about her estranged daughter may have undone a magic show that her husband takes her to on her birthday. This feels a bit like “Our Town’s Talent” from the…
“So Late in the Day” by Claire Keegan
On what would have been his wedding day if he weren’t such a jerk, a man has a depressing evening at home. This is a beautifully written story that perfectly captures the…