Leviathan Wept and Other Stories

Hugo and Nebula finalist Abraham's first collection of nine stories showcases his work in an admirably wide range of genres, but the range of quality is likewise considerable. “Flat Diane,” an eerie tale about a young girl who sees through the eyes of a cardboard cutout mistreated by her relatives, addresses the horror cliché of child abuse in new and meaningful ways. “The Curandero and the Swede: A Tale from the 1001 American Nights” weaves history, humor, folklore, and vivid characterizations together with a deftness that would leave Scheherazade gasping with admiration. By contrast, “A Hunter in Arin-Qin” generates neither a sense of reality nor mythic resonance. Abraham (the Long Price Quartet) has undeniable skill, and readers will wish only for more of it to be on display here. (June)