Jubilee

Rating:
Summary: Reminds the reader of the wonder of the short story
Review: Jack Dann's stories are sometimes scary, sometimes funny, but always provacative forcing the reader to think about what the author wants us to understand. In this way, Dann remains with this work among the great science fiction authors who for whatever vagaries of the market, were never able to "breakout" onto the larger milieu like Harlan Ellison or Neal Stephenson. That is the loss of readers everywhere.

Like a great craftsman, Dann understands that scifi's magic is to use a distant setting and wondrous event to explore very real challenges we all face in life. In one story of a judge haunted by a unicorn the author speaks to us emotionally about age and loss of identity. In another about a rabbi journeying to meet a race of alien Jews the author teaches about the strange symbiosis of Judaism, the larger culture, and anti-Semitism. Vivid characters bring each story to life but at the same time forces the thoughtful reader to become introspective, examining the world right here at home.

My greatest hope is that, with this fine collection, Dann will at long last receive the attention of the larger audience that he has for so long deserved. A wonderfully fun read.

Rating:
Summary: Reminds the reader of the wonder of the short story
Review: Jack Dann's stories are sometimes scary, sometimes funny, but always provacative forcing the reader to think about what the author wants us to understand. In this way, Dann remains with this work among the great science fiction authors who for whatever vagaries of the market, were never able to "breakout" onto the larger milieu like Harlan Ellison or Neal Stephenson. That is the loss of readers everywhere.

Like a great craftsman, Dann understands that scifi's magic is to use a distant setting and wondrous event to explore very real challenges we all face in life. In one story of a judge haunted by a unicorn the author speaks to us emotionally about age and loss of identity. In another about a rabbi journeying to meet a race of alien Jews the author teaches about the strange symbiosis of Judaism, the larger culture, and anti-Semitism. Vivid characters bring each story to life but at the same time forces the thoughtful reader to become introspective, examining the world right here at home.

My greatest hope is that, with this fine collection, Dann will at long last receive the attention of the larger audience that he has for so long deserved. A wonderfully fun read.

Rating:
Summary: strong speculative fiction anthology
Review: This seventeen-story anthology contains tales published over the last twenty-five years in a vast range of publications. The contributions are powerful entries that highlight how capable an author Jack Dann is in his ability to portray and describe the inhumanity of humanity. The tales never look out into the extended future, as they are either historical or present with even the near future feeling contemporary. They rarely leave earth, but even when Mr. Dann visits another orb, the characters are eerily earth-like. Besides the powerful tales that run much of the earthbound speculative fiction gamut, Mr. Dann includes a delightful introduction and afterward. Anthology fans will sing JUBILEE with this "best of" works from a strong science fiction author.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: strong speculative fiction anthology
Review: This seventeen-story anthology contains tales published over the last twenty-five years in a vast range of publications. The contributions are powerful entries that highlight how capable an author Jack Dann is in his ability to portray and describe the inhumanity of humanity. The tales never look out into the extended future, as they are either historical or present with even the near future feeling contemporary. They rarely leave earth, but even when Mr. Dann visits another orb, the characters are eerily earth-like. Besides the powerful tales that run much of the earthbound speculative fiction gamut, Mr. Dann includes a delightful introduction and afterward. Anthology fans will sing JUBILEE with this "best of" works from a strong science fiction author.

Harriet Klausner