Such A Good Anthology, And The Soundtrack To Hell

Cracked Spines

This week, your hosts read Far Out: An Anthology of Recent Queer Science Fiction and Fantasy, edited by Paula Guran, aka an absolutely kickass collection of speculative short stories ranging from a cat-loving AI to gut-wrenching horror. Both Amelia and Sarah agree that this is one of the best anthologies they've encountered, with an effective theme and a wide selection of engaging and imaginative stories. Also, Amelia brushes the fringe of a deep musical conspiracy involving a "hellish" pop song played in H&M which was at the center of multiple murders and an apocalypse cult, probably, according to her lack of evidence and the general vibes. Sarah liked the beat.
Stories discussed:

• Cat Pictures Please by Naomi Kritzer
• The Deepwater Bride by Tamsyn Muir
• I’m Alive, I Love You, I’ll See You in Reno by Vylar Kaftan
• Das Steingeschöpf by G. V. Anderson
• The Shape of My Name by Nino Cipri
• Don’t Press Charges and I Won’t Sue by Charlie Jane Anders
• Né łe! by Darcie Little Badger
• Seasons of Glass and Iron by Amal El-Mohtar
• Calved by Sam J. Miller
• The Lily and the Horn by Catherynne M. Valente
• The Duke of Riverside by Ellen Kushner

CONTENT WARNING: This episode briefly discusses a horror story involving the forcible detransition of a trans woman (timestamp 37:15 - 39:00).

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