Review: Dreams of Distant Shores by Patricia A. McKillip

Journey through time and place in this collection of short pieces by Patricia A. McKillip. There are 5 short stories, 2 novellas, and a nonfiction piece. All of which are excellent.

I think my two favorite pieces were the first story in the collection, "Weird" and another piece entitled "The Gorgon in the Cupboard."
"Weird" keeps you guessing as to what's going on. "The Gorgon in the Cupboard" is a story about artists, models, and muses.

All the stories struck me as treasures, though. I loved her use of language. Even in the novella "Something Rich and Strange," the language sets the tone. You can feel the distraction of the characters.

The nonfiction piece was about writing high fantasy. I like the idea that she puts across that she uses different tropes, but twists them enough to make them something different and new. The afterword was written by Peter S. Beagle, another really good writer, who respects Patricia McKillip's crafting of stories.

This book is appropriate for people who enjoy fantasy. There are a variety of settings and themes to enjoy. And if you like the behind the scenes look at things, the essay and the afterword are very interesting. All in all, I give this book 5 stars for excellence in craftsmanship.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.