In the Upper Room and Other Likely Stories

Terry Bisson is a treasure. He writes hopeful stories about the value of childhood dreams, as in the bittersweet "There Are No Dead," where three boys find a way to literally start over. He writes subtle and depressing stories about how technology can smother modern life ("In the Upper Room," "An Office Romance," "He Loved Lucy"). His dialogue is sharp and can carry entire stories ("10:07:24," "Smoother"). And at his best he has the ability to look at our world from a slightly skewed angle that allows him to see deep and disturbing truths, as he does in the chilling "macs." These stories are lovely, funny and sad, and they will make you think. If you haven't heard of Terry Bisson, this is a good entry point into his unique point of view.

The stories in this collection vary from the profound to the wistful to the grandly comic. Among the more highly mentionable are "macs", "The Player" and "First Fire", all of which will linger in the mind long after the last page has been turned. But for me, the one that reached me the most was "Not This Virginia". Anyone who has ever had to deal with an elderly parent in decline will find something in this story. It touches the soul and says no, you are not alone. Thank you, Terry.

(The disclaimer): I've known Terry Bisson for 40 years and admired him all that time.The review): He is, hands down, one of our best writers and finest minds, and were it not for the ignorant bias that places "fantasy" literature in a sub-set of lower status, he would be recognized for what he is: an imaginative wizard, a technical genius, a superb stylist and one of the funniest guys around. I've never understood why John Updike or Saul Bellow's "fantasies" are treated as high-art and Terry's are consigned to small publishers, but hell I've never understood why athletes and movie actors make lots of money and teachers and the people who feed us, don't. This is a great book. Don't ever miss the opportunity of reading Bisson and remembering just how exhilerating a conversation with a fine mind can be.

Terry Bisson has created two modern masterpieces of literature. His stories will pass the test of time and will be required reading by American students in the future. The short stories contained in "In the Upper Room and other likely stories" are great additions to his vast and still growing literary feats. My strongest advice to you is not to let the chirping of a few misguided critics prevent you from reading anything written by the world's greatest living author.

Terry's story was a great homage to Arthur C. Clarke's story 9 Billion Names for God, or something like that. Overall a great collection from a proven writer. Highly recomended.