Mother Aegypt and Other Stories

Paul Di Filippo

He "tore down a piece of the sky -- a corner, with no stars -- for a cloak of invisibility," says Baker of one protagonist. We could justifiably say that Baker has similarly mantled herself in the heavens.
— The Washington Post

Publishers Weekly

Told with splendid clarity, the 13 tales in this collection from Nebula nominee Baker (The Anvil of the World) are deceptively simple and seem, at first, to be comfortably folkloric. Each then takes a distinctive turn, often an O. Henry twist, and becomes indelibly the author's own. Lemuel Gulliver gets exactly what he's always deserved in "Miss Yahoo Has Her Say." An angry little girl learns the power of observation from a wickedly wise tyger in "What The Tyger Told Her." "Nightmare Mountain" combines the myths of Eros and Psyche with an eccentric Californian in a tour de force. Another myth, that of Tam Lin, and another angry little girl blend in the chilling "Her Father's Eyes." The standard kill-your-grandfather time-travel story receives fresh treatment in "Merry Christmas from Navarro Lodge, 1928," as do Oberlin, Titania, their faerie court and the inevitable human ass in "The Summer People." Alien manifestations receive unique play in "How They Tried to Talk Indian Tony Down" and "Pueblo." The unspeakably delicious "Mother Aegypt," a novella original to the collection, involves a con man and immortals with unquenchable cravings. These wry and often wise narratives prove Baker is one of the most accomplished fantasists of our era. Agent, Linn Prentiss at the Virginia Kidd Agency. (July 15) Forecasts: Better known until recently for her SF, Baker stands to gain more acclaim for her fantasy. This one is a good bet for several awards short lists. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

A young lord makes a bold career move in "Leaving His Cares Behind," the lead-off story in this collection by the author of "The Company" series. From a new look at Gulliver's Travels ("Miss Yahoo Has Her Say") to a mystical tale of a desperate man's encounter with an enigmatic and powerful traveling woman ("Mother Aegypt"), the pieces demonstrate Baker's command of various genres, moods, and settings. A good choice for sf or short story collections. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.