Rating: 
Summary: Jam-packed with passionate...excellent writing...
Review: "Slippage" is jam-packed with passionate, entertaining and excellent writing from one of America's finest living writers. (Copyright, 1997), "St. Petersburg Times"
Rating: 
Summary: Yet another great collection.
Review: 'Slippage' is the latest collection of work from someone who is not only one of the greatest writers of short fiction, but also one of the greatest essayists. These stories have been culled from the pages of F&SF, his "Dream Corridor" comic, as well as some of the best horror and dark fantasy anthologies including 'Midnight Graffiti' and 'Borderlands.' There is even a script for an episode of the Twilight Zone series that ran in the eighties. I had read many of these stories before and they did not lose their impact the second time. Ellison continues to unearth ancient secrets in "Chatting With Anubis," "Darkness Upon the Face of the Deep," and the touching and horrific "She's a Young Thing and Cannot Leave Her Mother." But the true gem is the novella "Mefisto In Onyx," about a black telepath who is asked to discover the truth about an accused white serial killer, which has so many twists you'll never guess it's nevertheless perfectly logical conclusion. There are a few weaker pieces in the latter half, and the book isn't 'Deathbird Stories,' but that won't keep me from highly recommending it.
Rating:
Summary: Yet another great collection.
Review: 'Slippage' is the latest collection of work from someone who is not only one of the greatest writers of short fiction, but also one of the greatest essayists. These stories have been culled from the pages of F&SF, his "Dream Corridor" comic, as well as some of the best horror and dark fantasy anthologies including 'Midnight Graffiti' and 'Borderlands.' There is even a script for an episode of the Twilight Zone series that ran in the eighties. I had read many of these stories before and they did not lose their impact the second time. Ellison continues to unearth ancient secrets in "Chatting With Anubis," "Darkness Upon the Face of the Deep," and the touching and horrific "She's a Young Thing and Cannot Leave Her Mother." But the true gem is the novella "Mefisto In Onyx," about a black telepath who is asked to discover the truth about an accused white serial killer, which has so many twists you'll never guess it's nevertheless perfectly logical conclusion. There are a few weaker pieces in the latter half, and the book isn't 'Deathbird Stories,' but that won't keep me from highly recommending it.
Rating:
Summary: This time, I hope he's wrong . . .
Review: . . . because I, the Harlan Ellison worshipper, for one, believe he's immortal. For those of you who haven't read this book (those of you who haven't seen anything) the introduction describes two of his personal calamities, an earthquake and a heart attack, in intense, frightening clarity and his usual style -- heck, ten words from Harlan Ellison is worth the purchase price of this book!Anyway, how could someone who writes like this be mortal? He's just stringing us along again when he says he's discovered his mortality. The stories, which of course are the core of the book, jump out and hurt you . . . they catapult you into someotherplace where nothing is quite stable, and when you're back in the comfy-chair you wonder if you'll ever be the same again, with awe, and the gnawing bittersweet recognition that you will not . . . But you want more. Do not read this book if you are afraid of changing forever. Do not read this book unless you can either afford an! addiction or can get to a very good library. Disclaimers aside . . . read this book.
Rating:
Summary: a page-turning, mind-bending collection of stories
Review: Even after more than forty years of writing, Harlan Ellison remains one of America's most passionate, entertaining and provocative writers. And "Slippage" is a page-turning, mind-bending collection of stories and sundries which should be on everyone's must read list this year. (copyright)1997 Des Moines Sunday Register
Rating:
Summary: Like a mouth-watering dark chocolate mousse
Review: Harlan Ellison is one of the most gifted writers and eloquent speakers of our time. I first heard about this book while listening to an NPR interview of Ellison one evening. He was such an interesting speaker on radio that I just had to buy this book. Once I started reading, it pulled me in like a tornado and I couldn't put the book down until the last page was turned. Thought-provoking, soul-searching, always in-your-face is the way I describe Ellison's writing style. Normally I only manage to read halfway through a book and then lose interest. Not with Harlan Ellison. After reading this collection of short stories I ran out and ordered "Angry Candy". Shortly after that I picked up one of his mega-collections. All extremely fun reads - intelligent, humorous, and just plain entertaining. Reading "Slippages" is like dining in a five-star French restaurant where every course is an incredibly mouth-watering experience and dessert is enough to keep your tongue moaning in ecstasy for days.
Rating:
Summary: a great book froma great author
Review: Hey all, Harlan Ellison will be at The Booksmith in San Francisco for a
reading & booksigning on September 15th at 6:30 pm
The Booksmith has set up a special Ellison page highlighting the new and
out-of-print books and spoken word recordings available by Ellison. The
page is located at http://www.booksmith.com/cosmikdebris/ellison.htm
Rating:
Summary: Harlan Ellison is the best fiction writer of our time.
Review: If at least some of Ellison's works don't survive the test of time -don't survive for a thousand years- THERE IS NO JUSTICE IN THE UNIVERSE. If I could find a way to praise him more highly, I would, but I don't have his gift for words. Three BIG cheers for Ellison!
Rating:
Summary: Ellison is excellent! Flawless execution.
Review: Let me put it like this: If you're serious about your fantasy fiction, you must purchase, read, and keep this book. Harlan Ellison's talent is showcased in about two-dozen stories that are all straight outta the park home-runs. I'm not just whistling Dixie. The man is that good. Read and you shall see the light as Ellison effortlessly weaves mindblowing yarns like the "The Man Who Rowed Christopher Columbus Ashore," and the hilarious teleplay, "Crazy As A Soup Sandwich." Added for effect is the absolutely phenomenal mystery fantasy "Mefisto In Onyx," a story about which I'd heard raves almost a full year before actually getting my hands on an anthology in which it was collected (and according to sources, "Mefisto" will be produced for the big-screen starring Samuel L. Jackson). And as if "Mefisto" wasn't enough of a cerebral rush, the reader is treated to one of Ellison's trademark deity dramas, the beautiful, painfully poetic , "Scartaris, June 28th." There is something here for every reader. The adventurous, "Museum On Cyclops Avenue," and the perfectly haunting horror story, "She's A Young Thing And Cannot Leave Her Mother," the kind of horror story 95% of writers attempt but seldom pull off successfully.
When Ellison wants to slip you up, you will stop midway through a story and contemplate the meanings and ramifications of the images his blistering prose has evoked. Or at the end of a story you might find yourself closing the book with a shuddered gasp. Or anytime during a read you might find yourself chuckling. Nervously. Whichever nerve is touched, rest assured, Slippage will touch you.
Rating:
Summary: Writing designed to impress a white-hot poker in your brain.
Review: Such a fine, fine, fine collection. From beginning to end I found every aspect impressive, not only the writing, but also the author's vast knowledge of every subject imaginable (that he would describe something so obscure as the workings of the Dodge Main plant in Hamtramck, Michigan, circa 1950, with such insight and accuracy, leads me to believe that he knows everything about everything... and that he can convey that knowledge in such a way as to advance his stories...). One story in particular, "The Museum on Cyclops Avenue," I have read, and read aloud to great audience reaction, and read again. A book that is a pleasure to read, and a pleasure to own.
|
