Blooded On Arachne, by Michael Bishop ***

I picked up on Michael Bishop as a result of Gene Wolfe, who claims to be a big fan. I haven't figured it all out yet, but I think there was some connection in the 70s between Bishop, Wolfe, and the Orbit publishers. In any case, the first few stories of this collection are quite nice, especially "Effigies", a bleak story on a bleak world. Bishop exudes creativity, both in the settings and characters. His tales unfold unpredictably, and though I typically enjoy coldness in my authors, Bishops standoffishness almost seems too detached at times. Nonetheless, Bishop is a gifted author, and his stories deserve to be read and cherished. Anyone that can write an "Effigies" demands my time. I put this collection on hold because I was traveling frequently and needed something smaller for planes, but I expect to get back to it soon. [note from spring 2005]

[several months later] I continued reading and find myself enthralled regularly. "Pinon Fall" read very well, as did many others later in the book. I will admit to skipping through "A Story about Philip K.", as it seemed a bit too cutesy for me to deal with. But the last story in the collection, "The White Otters of Childhood" is one of the two best (along with "Effegies"), so it's a great way to round out the collection. It's a world of meanings and ideas, a great story brilliantly told.

I guess that's what happens sometimes in collections - some of the stories don't work. Moreover, collections like this one, which is really just a sampling of stories Bishop wrote in the preceding 10 years, have no cohesiveness. As a result, there's really no connection other than the binding. But Bishop's intellect is clearly on display here, and he is always interesting, covering sometimes bizarre and unusual terrain. All in all this is a good collection and I recommend it. Bishop's writing isn't as magical as Wolfe's, but it lives in the same world, which is high praise from me.

(Spring-Fall 2005)

Close this window