Prayers to Broken Stones

This book is a collection of short stories by Dan Simmons ("Song of Kali," "Hyperion") with a foreward by Harlan Ellison. Each story has a unique voice (although all the science fiction stories seem to take place in the same universe) and they are gem-like in their brightness - characterization, description, voice, all is exquisite, bringing you into these little worlds and opening your eyes to sometimes strange and twisted landscapes. My only complaints are again copy editing nitpicks - for instance, if something needs oil, it creaks, it doesn't creek. When someone agrees with a statement given, particularly during a toast, they say "Hear, hear!" not "Here, here!" Those sorts of things. Also, the plural of bus is buses!!! "Busses" is "kisses." I kid you not - look it up and make fun forever more in the future when you see signs at drive-throughs and restaurants that say "busses welcome." But that aside, this collection of short stories is amazing. I read it much more slowly than is my wont, as it must be supped and savored like a fine wine - not guzzled like a brew. Enjoy it!

Due to his big-selling science fiction novels, Dan Simmons is usually lumped into that category. My edition of this paperback even has an unbelievably inaccurate cover illustration featuring an astronaut, though only one of the stories here even remotely involves space travel. The varied works in this collection of short stories firmly place Simmons in the more inclusive genre of speculative fiction, with an ethic similar to that of his hero Harlan Ellison. There are a couple of clunkers here, like the rushed and unfocused anti-televangelist yarn "Vexed to Nightmare by a Rocking Cradle," plus an unnecessary TV script. But otherwise the selections here are well written and very compelling, with Simmons specializing in the humanistic side of the supernatural. Highlights include a highly disturbing tale of death in the family in "The River Styx Runs Upstream," two tales about the inescapable horrors of war in "E-Ticket to "Namland" and "Iverson's Pits" (covering the Vietnam and Civil Wars, respectively), and the outstanding psychic murder suspense of "Carrion Comfort." This collection is a great introduction to a writer who doesn't get enough credit for the variety of his ideas. [~doomsdayer520~]

Although this is mainly a collection of Simmons's early horror work, there is an astonishing amount of variety. There are classic ghost and vampire stories, science fiction horror pieces, science fiction work, and a few stories which defy categorization. As a whole the collection is fun, with the author's introductions as interesting and entertaining as the stories themselves. Each story is well written and enjoyable to read. If you've been disappointed with much of Simmons's recent work, you won't be with this collection.

If you're not in the mood to sit and read an entire novel, Dan Simmons' short stories are a great way to pass time. He is a very gifted writer and I have read everything he has written. I especially liked "The River Styx Runs Upstream", and "Vanni Fucci is Alive and Well and Living in Hell." The former a horror story along the lines of Stephen King and the later hilarious. Also included is the novella to Carrion Comfort which, in novel form, one of the best horror novels ever written. I recommend anything and everything by him, especially the Hyperion novels, Summer of Night, and Carrion Comfort.

Dan Simmons continues to weave intricate tales in "Tales to Broken Stones". A collection of 13 short stories, Dan Simmons displays his impressive writing skill in multiple genres. While one or two of the stories were a bit boring, most riveted me to my seat while I read them. The commentary on each of the stories by Simmons helps set the tone. Included in this book are the short stories that inspired Simmons's Hugo award winning Hyperion and his high aclaimed(and intensely scary)Carrion Comfort.