Cruel Miracles

Rating:
Summary: classic OSC
Review: "Cruel Miracles" (one section of "Maps in a Mirror," a huge hardcover that contains practically every short story OSC wrote up to its publication) is a good introduction to OSC, and very rewarding for long-time enthusiasts. Its stories deal with religious and ethical issues, which are, of course, a major theme in his writing. It also covers other standard territory: the gifted child, the troubled family, and the slow understanding of an alien culture.

No story in this volume is bad, though I personally found "Saint Amy's Tale" a bit confused and not equal to the others. "Saving Grace" and "Kingsmeat," on the other hand, are very powerful, and the award-winning "Eye for an Eye" is a moving character study.

Be warned: this book is not always pleasant to read; it contains some extremely disturbing images, especially in "Kingsmeat." But as an examination of the power of religion (for good or otherwise), it is invaluable.

Rating:
Summary: classic OSC
Review: "Cruel Miracles" (one section of "Maps in a Mirror," a huge hardcover that contains practically every short story OSC wrote up to its publication) is a good introduction to OSC, and very rewarding for long-time enthusiasts. Its stories deal with religious and ethical issues, which are, of course, a major theme in his writing. It also covers other standard territory: the gifted child, the troubled family, and the slow understanding of an alien culture.

No story in this volume is bad, though I personally found "Saint Amy's Tale" a bit confused and not equal to the others. "Saving Grace" and "Kingsmeat," on the other hand, are very powerful, and the award-winning "Eye for an Eye" is a moving character study.

Be warned: this book is not always pleasant to read; it contains some extremely disturbing images, especially in "Kingsmeat." But as an examination of the power of religion (for good or otherwise), it is invaluable.

Rating:
Summary: Something to believe in
Review: In Cruel Miracles, Card touches upon the subject of religion, and his touch is not gentle. One might say that the book emphasizes the importance of religion and faith, but it also emphasizes the need to examine oneself (and others) constantly, not follow rules and regulations like sheep, as if blind faith is a commandment. The story I liked best is Saving Grace, although the revelations about TV preachers there may be hard to swallow; then again, those revelations are one of the things that contribute to the story's impact. The other is the realistic view of the rugged life of the people on the other side of the screen. While Saving Grace is best, both Eye for Eye and Holy are very close seconds, and the rest of the stories are not lightweights whatsoever. Thus, this book is one of the best I have ever had the pleasure of reading, and well worth buying. I recommend it to any science fiction/fantasy reader, and also to those who wish to ponder morality in religion a bit deeper than usual.