Let’s get moving on the September stories, mostly because the first one is another long one, at 77 pages. It’s (hopefully) about a werewolf though, so I’m good with it! Oh, and don’t forget to add your comments to the Month 6 post!
The Compleat Werewolf, by Anthony Boucher. I had to google this (I know, sad…) but “compleat” is a valid, albeit archaic, spelling of the word “complete”. Perhaps this gives us a clue as to the setting of this story? An interesting tidbit about Anthony Boucher is that he was a friend and mentor to Philip K. Dick, of “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep” fame (which became the movie Blade Runner). He wrote mystery, SciFi, and horror (horror! my pick for this story!), and he co-created The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. The Compleat Werewolf was written in 1942.
The Smile on the Face, by Nalo Hopkinson. Nalo Hopkinson was born in Jamaica in 1960 and so frankly is not that much older than me. Her stories often draw on Caribbean history, and I really hope this one does!!! She has received numerous nominations and awards for her speculative fiction, including being nominated for a Hugo in 2001, which is impressive considering it’s a significantly male-dominated award. Disappointingly, she lost to the now extremely problematic J. K. Rowling for Goblet of Fire.
Let’s get right to it!
The Compleat Werewolf: Although I don’t think I figured out the reason behind the old-world spelling of ‘compleat’ I really enjoyed this one. So many fun story elements – the magician, the detective, the FBI, the spy ring, and of course the werewolf! A fun romp and a happy ending to boot.
The Smile on the Face: As wished for, this story does indeed seem to draw on Caribbean history and characters. It’s a cute little coming-of-age story featuring a girl who thinks she is too fat and unattractive to be admired by boys (I could relate!) until a hamadryad speaks to her in her mind after she accidentally swallows a cherry pit from a tree that apparently serves as the spirit’s home (or is the spirit itself, hard to say). What the hamadryad tells her is, in essence, mean boys suck and that she is strong and beautiful and intelligent and is worthy to demand better. Maybe I should have swallowed a cherry pit when I was 14 …
The Compleat Werewolf: I was wary because it is quite old. Sometimes when I read dated fantasy, the problems break me out of the story. This was, as Risa said, a total romp and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am glad the main character showed some growth (the almost novella- length allowed for that I think). It was pacy and fun, imho.
The Smile on the Face: Bring on the cherry pits! This was probably the most contemporary story in the book. I had heard of the author but have not read her, and now I might! Should be required reading for teenagers of all genders 🙂 Great messages in a relatable story. It feels like it teaches without being preachy.