Prayers to Broken Stones is a remarkable collection of the early short stories penned by Dan Simmons. I vividly recall being completely enthralled by his novel Hyperion when I delved into it in the early 90s. Shortly after that, my dearest friend presented me with this collection of short stories. However, for some reason, I never quite got around to reading it. All I can do now is look back and wag my finger at my younger self, sighing and saying, "You truly missed out on something wonderful. You should have read it much sooner."

Wow. I must admit that I don't remember making the connection to Harlan Ellison when I read Hyperion. But if there's anyone who comes close to writing with the same style and flair as Ellison, it's undoubtedly Simmons. (Interestingly enough, the introduction to this collection is written by Ellison himself, and he claims to have discovered Simmons.) Simmons possesses that remarkable ability to seamlessly transition between different genres. There's a touch of horror here, a hint of science fiction there, and a sprinkle of the dark thriller - all while making incisive and accurate commentaries on the human condition. And this is just his early work - the "I'm just beginning to find my writing groove" kind of stuff. It makes me eager to rush out and purchase the most recent thing he's written, just to see if he has maintained this high standard and perhaps even improved upon it.

This book truly has it all. From psychic vampires who derive their pleasure (and "nourishment") from making others kill, to a story about Resurrectionists who have the power to bring your mom, dad, son, lover, or anyone else back from the dead. But one has to wonder, is that really such a good thing? There are stories set against the backdrop of the Battle of Gettysburg and the tragic loss of the Challenger shuttle. There are also stories that cut the televangelists down to size. There's even a story that attempts to explain why there seems to be such a significant increase in cancer nowadays. And some of these stories contain the seeds that would eventually grow into the magnificent Hyperion.

Dan Simmons is truly a master of his craft. He has the power to transport you back in time to a Civil War battlefield or whisk you away to a distant planet you've never even imagined - and make you believe with absolute certainty that you are right there. Although he may have just been starting out with these stories, he is already miles ahead of other first-time writers. His talent and creativity are truly awe-inspiring.

Simmons is a writer of the 1st rank.

His story of the Centaur is truly one of the best. In this captivating tale, Simmons weaves a narrative that takes readers on an extraordinary journey. The Centaur, a mythical creature with the body of a horse and the upper body of a human, comes to life in his words. Simmons explores the nature of this unique being, delving into its emotions, desires, and struggles. The story is filled with vivid descriptions and engaging characters that draw the reader in and keep them hooked from beginning to end. Whether you are a fan of mythology or simply enjoy a well-written story, Simmons' story of the Centaur is not to be missed. It is a testament to his talent as a writer and his ability to create a world that is both fascinating and believable.

Each short story has an 'intro' that provides an explanation of the inspiration and background behind it.

This addition is truly wonderful as it offers valuable insights into the author's imagination and thought process.

It allows the readers to have a deeper understanding of how the stories came to be, what motivated the author to write them, and the context in which they were created.

The intros add an extra layer of depth and richness to the collection, making it not just a set of entertaining stories but also a window into the author's creative mind.

They give the readers a sense of connection with the author and make the reading experience more engaging and meaningful.

Overall, the inclusion of these intros is a great addition to the short story collection and enhances its value significantly.

The collection of stories by Dan Simmons with his comments. As is the case, the comment is often more interesting than the stories, although Simmons never drops the level anywhere. The problem is that, unlike the novels "Hyperion" or "The Terror", the stories are not memorable. What is memorable is the introduction by Harlan Ellison about how he discovered Simmons at a symposium.

The commentaries in this collection add an extra layer of depth and perspective to the stories. Simmons' insights and thoughts on his own work provide readers with a unique opportunity to understand the creative process behind each tale. However, despite the quality of the commentaries, the stories themselves seem to lack the staying power of his more well-known novels.

Perhaps this is due to the nature of short stories, which often have to pack a lot of punch in a relatively short space. Or maybe it's because Simmons' true talent lies in the longer form, where he can fully develop his characters and explore complex themes. Either way, this collection is still a worthy addition to any Simmons fan's library, offering a different side of the author's work.

Some truly great stories are presented here.

Personally, I have to admit that I sometimes find myself getting bogged down when it comes to the fantasy and sci-fi aspects in a few of them. This is simply because those particular genres aren't really my cup of tea.

However, despite this personal preference, I still highly recommend the entire collection.

The stories offer a wide range of themes and perspectives, and there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Even if you, like me, may not be overly enthusiastic about fantasy and sci-fi, there are other elements within the stories that are sure to capture your interest and imagination.

So, don't let the presence of these particular genres deter you from giving this collection a try.

You might just be surprised at how much you end up enjoying it.

After reading several of Simmons' horror novels, I was truly and extremely impressed with his unique writing style. It was so captivating that I promptly ordered everything I could manage to get my hands on that had his name attached to it. I'll freely admit that at first, I had no inkling whatsoever that this was going to be a short story collection. However, since I'm usually a big fan of short stories, I was more than eager to dig right in and explore what lay within its pages.

The actual collection of short stories only makes up about three-quarters of the book. This is because most of the short stories have an introduction written by Simmons himself, and some of these introductions are quite lengthy. Also, if you have already read a significant portion of his novels, you may discover that these short stories serve as the foundation for many of his novels. As a result, you might find that you have already read a good deal of this book. These stories are a diverse mixture of Horror and SF (although not combined together), with one Fantasy story thrown in for good measure.

I have a deep love for Simmons as a horror writer, but I had not yet delved into any of his SF works. The horror stories in this collection were fairly good, yet I have to admit that as much as I adore Simmons, his remarkable skill apparently does not fully manifest itself in the short story realm. Most of the stories felt more like snippets or fragments taken out of a much larger story. It was similar to those reading books you had back in 5th grade that only had a chapter or so from a much more extensive work. The SF stories, on the other hand, were quite difficult for me to maintain my attention on. My brain simply isn't wired in a way that allows me to easily digest SF as a genre.

On the whole, this was a decent enough book. However, I really don't believe I would recommend it to someone who wasn't already a dedicated Simmons fan. In the future, I fully intend to stick with reading his novels, as that is where I believe his true talent shines through the most.

For those who have perused Dan Simmons previously, this collection encompasses his typical hodgepodge of genres along with his inherent meticulousness for detail. That is to say, the stories are extremely good, albeit at times perhaps overly long.

Having delved into his Lovedeath novella collection, I had anticipated the same profound impact in this one and was somewhat disappointed. While the tales are generally excellent and his genre proficiency is on prominent display, some of the stories seem lacking, and only two, in my opinion, showcase Simmons at his finest.

Carrion Comfort, the story that he would later expand into his HWA best novel winner, presents the characters in a reduced aspect yet with the callousness of power fully exposed. Having adored the novel, I was highly content with a return visit to the psychic vampires.

Shave and a Haircut, Two Bites is an entertaining,惊悚的 story regarding the origins of all those terrifying old man barbers from our youth....

The other tales contain the prose and the evocation of emotions that Simmons is truly a maestro at. There are stories of grief, loss, triumph, indifference, love, and hope. You'll depart emotionally drained yet glad to have embarked on these literary voyages.

Dana Simmons' creativity receives a diverse response. Among his works, I can undoubtedly place the novels that I consider as milestones, both in the horror genre ("Drood"), in science-fiction, and in the unique blend of these genres with religious, mythological, and historical storylines. He is definitely a versatile writer, an erudite, and a skillful narrator. However, very often, boasting of these qualities becomes a predominant element in relation to the plot construction...

This monumental, nearly thousand-page collection of stories, or generally shorter forms, sketches, and even film scripts, also appears to me in a similar way. It inevitably invites a comparison with the "Retrospectives" by George R.R. Martin, which were published in three volumes in Poland. The closest to them are "Prayers to Broken Stones", a part where, in addition to the texts themselves, there is room for Simmons' outlines that set the context and the conceptual background.

So, this enormous volume contains everything that Dan Simmons has written apart from novels. And... well... not everything necessarily should have been included here, and a significant part of the texts - justifiably - has so far been in the drawers or available to a narrow group of interested people (why is the script for "The Offering", the serialized version of "Metastasis", here, apart from being a curiosity? / why is the "sketchy" version of "The Terror of Timpanogos" here?).

Unlike Martin's "Retrospectives", somehow there are fewer "things to remember" for me from this huge collection. Maybe it's "On K2 with Kanakaredes", which tells about an epic Himalayan expedition in the company of a being from another universe? Maybe it's "Flashback", which tells about a society in which people can use "braindance'ów" originating from the game CP2077? Maybe it's "In the Moustache of Bees" - perhaps the best "vampire-related" thing by Simmons? That's not all...

Also, those who expect something really interesting from the stories set in the "Hyperion" universe will be disappointed. They add little to the whole and, as stand-alone, do not have anything particularly interesting to offer.

In short - despite the fact that the volume is extensive - it is a curiosity for fans of the author's creativity, those who like to collect and complement the works of their favorite creators. I recommend it with moderation, mainly to them!

This is a remarkable collection of short stories.

It not only includes a variety of engaging tales but also features a television screenplay that is based on one of those captivating short stories.

All of the stories within this collection are masterfully written, vividly showcasing the remarkable talent of this writer.

The editing is of a very high standard, ensuring that the flow and coherence of each story are maintained.

Interestingly, all of the stories were apparently penned in the 1980s.

As a result, some of the material may seem a bit dated when compared to contemporary works.

However, despite this, the stories still possess an inherent charm and entertainment value that makes them well worth reading.

Whether you are a fan of short stories or simply looking for an enjoyable read, this collection is sure to provide you with hours of entertainment.

It offers a unique glimpse into the literary world of the 1980s and showcases the enduring power of well-crafted stories.

Excellent collection of short stories. Simmons truly stands out as one of my all-time favourite authors. His works are a treasure trove of captivating tales that have the power to transport readers to different worlds and emotions. Each story in this collection is a masterpiece in its own right, with vivid characters, engaging plots, and thought-provoking themes. Simmons' writing style is both eloquent and accessible, making his stories a joy to read for both casual readers and literary enthusiasts alike. Whether it's a heartwarming romance, a thrilling mystery, or a poignant exploration of human nature, Simmons has the ability to touch the hearts and minds of his readers. I highly recommend this collection to anyone looking for a great read that will leave them entertained and enlightened.

This early collection of short stories truly came as a pleasant surprise.

There are numerous stories within it that, in some ways, are intricately connected to his later novels. I have long been a lover of some of Dan Simmons' books, such as the Hyperion Cantos series, the Season of Horrors series, and Carrion Comfort.

What a wonderful treat it was to discover two stories that are connected to the Hyperion universe and the original Carrion Comfort story.

This collection is an absolute must for all Dan Simmons fans.

Moreover, it also vividly demonstrates Dan Simmons' remarkable ability to write stories across many diverse genres. His versatility as a writer is on full display here, captivating readers with his unique storytelling and imaginative worlds.

Whether you are a die-hard fan or new to his work, this collection is sure to provide an engaging and enjoyable reading experience.

DNF, also known as Dungeon Fighter Online, is a popular online role-playing game.

It offers a thrilling and immersive gaming experience with its unique gameplay mechanics and engaging storyline.

In DNF, players can choose from a variety of character classes, each with its own distinct abilities and playstyles.

The game features a vast and diverse world filled with challenging dungeons, powerful bosses, and exciting quests.

Players can team up with friends or other players from around the world to take on these challenges and earn valuable rewards.

DNF also has a vibrant community, where players can share their experiences, strategies, and tips.

With its constant updates and new content, DNF continues to attract a large number of players and remains one of the most popular online games today.

Whether you're a casual gamer or a hardcore enthusiast, DNF has something for everyone.