"Prayers to Broken Stones" is a remarkable collection consisting of thirteen early short works penned by Dan Simmons. In my humble opinion, he is truly one of the best writers across any genre.

Several of the short stories within this collection served as the foundation for his more extensive works. For instance, the characters in "Remembering Siri" and "Death of the Centaur" would go on to have more prominent roles in his Hyperion series. "Eyes I Dare Not Meet in Dreams" is clearly an early iteration of "The Hollow Man". Additionally, the short story "Carrion Comfort" would later be included in the novel of the same name.

This collection offers a diverse range of great stories, spanning from hard sci-fi to horror and everything in between. Some of the standouts include "The River Styx Runs Upstream", Simmons' very first published story, which is a creepy yet superb sci-fi zombie tale about a family's struggle to come to terms with the loss, or rather their inability to deal with the loss, of a wife and mother. "E-Ticket to 'Namland'" presents a unique concept where the entire country of Vietnam has been transformed into an "amusement" park for veterans and their families to "relive" the excitement of the war. "Metastasis" delves into the true nature and cause of cancer, while "Shave and a Haircut, Two Bites" provides an explanation as to why so many communities have a barber shop that no one ever seems to visit.

Occasionally, one might come across a story that is merely average, but it's important to remember that Simmons wrote most of these early in his career. Even in his moments of mediocrity, one can catch glimpses of his undeniable genius. This collection is an absolute must-have for fans of Dan Simmons.

Simmons's early short work is truly a classic.

It showcases his remarkable talent and unique writing style. The stories are filled with vivid characters and engaging plots that draw the reader in from the very beginning.

Each word is carefully chosen to create a powerful and evocative atmosphere.

The early short work of Simmons has had a significant impact on the literary world and continues to be widely read and studied today.

It serves as a testament to his genius and creativity, and is a must-read for any lover of literature.

Whether you are new to Simmons's work or a long-time fan, his early short stories are sure to leave a lasting impression.

So, pick up a copy and discover the magic for yourself!

I firmly believe that Dan Simmons is an absolute genius. His novels, like "Hyperion" or "The Terror", are deeply creative and brilliantly crafted, leaving a lasting impression on readers.

However, when it comes to this collection, most of the stories unfortunately give the impression of being cheap rip-offs of Ray Bradbury's works. It's quite a disappointment.

Eeek! I'm sorry, but I just had to be honest and say it. It's a pity that this collection doesn't live up to the high standards set by Simmons in his other masterpieces.

Perhaps he was going for a different style or trying something new, but it just didn't quite work out in this case. Nevertheless, I still have a great deal of respect for Dan Simmons as a writer and will continue to look forward to his future works.

This collection offers a good mix of short stories that are sure to engage readers.

One of the standouts is "Remembering Siri," which is a great re-read from the Hyperion Cantos. The story takes readers on a journey through a rich and complex world, filled with vivid characters and thought-provoking themes.

The author's writing style is engaging and accessible, making it easy for readers to get lost in the story. Whether you're a fan of science fiction or just looking for a good read, this collection is definitely worth checking out.

Overall, it's a great addition to any bookshelf and a must-read for fans of the genre.

I have an unwavering love for this remarkable story collection penned by Dan Simmons, who holds a special place among my favorite authors.

This collection features the story that served as the catalyst for his first significant breakthrough, namely "The River Styx Runs Upstream." It was this very story that he had the courage to present to the esteemed Harlan Ellison.

Remarkably, Harlan Ellison, with his discerning eye, instantly recognized Dan Simmons' genius. Such was his admiration that he not only praised the work but also took the time to write the introduction to this wonderful collection.

The combination of Dan Simmons' masterful storytelling and Harlan Ellison's endorsement makes this collection a truly captivating and must-read for all lovers of great literature.

Strange

The story lines in this work are truly strange, yet in a rather captivating way. The majority of the tales presented are highly interesting, drawing the reader in and keeping them engaged. However, there are a couple of stories that are a bit too convoluted, making it a bit of a challenge to fully enjoy the reading experience. Despite this minor drawback, I have to say that I have read other books by Dan Simmons, and they are the kind that keep you turning the pages all night long! Simmons has a remarkable ability to create unique and immersive worlds, filled with complex characters and thrilling plots. His writing style is engaging and descriptive, allowing the reader to easily envision the scenes and events taking place. Overall, while this particular collection may have a few flaws, it still showcases Simmons' talent as a writer and is well worth checking out for fans of the genre.

Finito nel 01/gen/1970 00:00:00.

This date holds a certain significance. It marks the end of a particular era or the conclusion of a specific event.

Perhaps it was the completion of a project that had been in the works for a long time.

Maybe it signified the end of a relationship or the close of a business deal.

Whatever the context, the fact that it was "finito" on this date means that something came to an end.

It could also imply a new beginning, as with the start of a new decade or the dawn of a new era.

The possibilities are endless, and the significance of this date can only be truly understood within the context in which it occurred.

Dan Simmons is a master of short story writing, and his works are truly outstanding.

His stories are filled with vivid characters, engaging plots, and thought-provoking themes.

Whether it's a thrilling adventure, a heartwarming romance, or a chilling horror tale, Simmons has the ability to draw readers in and keep them on the edge of their seats.

One of the things that makes Simmons' short stories so great is his attention to detail.

He creates rich and immersive worlds that readers can easily get lost in.

His descriptions are so vivid that you can almost feel the wind on your face or the heat of the sun.

Another aspect of Simmons' writing that stands out is his ability to develop complex and believable characters.

His characters have depth and dimension, and you can't help but root for them or despise them depending on their actions.

In conclusion, if you're looking for some great short stories to read, look no further than Dan Simmons.

His works are sure to entertain, inspire, and leave you wanting more.

Very few great stories can be found here.

The best one among them is the final entry, Carrion Comfort.

After having thoroughly enjoyed other, longer works from Simmons, such as Summer of Night, I was truly disappointed when reading these stories.

It seems that the shorter format may not have allowed Simmons to fully develop his ideas and characters as he does in his longer works.

The stories lack the depth and complexity that make his other books so engaging.

However, Carrion Comfort stands out as it manages to capture the reader's attention and hold it until the very end.

Despite the overall disappointment, it is still interesting to see Simmons' attempt at writing shorter stories.

Perhaps with more practice, he will be able to master this format as well and produce more great works in the future.

Nice!

If you have a penchant for some strange and/or science fiction short stories and have a soft spot for the 70s/80s, then this might be of interest to you.

However, it is important to note that it is definitely not Hyperion Cantos #0.5. This is a misleading claim.

The world of strange and SF short stories from that era is a rich and diverse one, filled with unique concepts and imaginative tales.

It offers a window into the minds of the writers of that time, who were exploring new frontiers in science and technology and imagining the possibilities of the future.

So, if you're looking for something different and exciting to read, give these short stories a try. You might just be surprised by what you discover.

A collection of short writing by the science fiction and horror writer Dan Simmons, this book is not so much a great collection as it is a hodgepodge of fictional works that Simmons labored on during a specific period.

It's a pity because what's excellent is truly outstanding and captivating, but there is some other writing here that can be rather distracting.

Included in this collection are stories that are part of longer works. For instance, in his novel Carrion Comfort, the original 50-page story (chapters 1 and 3 of the novel) later became the beginning of the novel. There is also a story related to his novel The Hollow Man (not related to the movie with Kevin Bacon). Additionally, there is an early novella that serves as the foundation for the Hyperion books. That one works better and even features a character wandering around, asking poignant questions to a lost love named Siri. There are several elements where someone says "Siri, ________?" which makes me think Dan Simmons should perhaps sue Apple (though probably not). There is also a script Simmons wrote for the television show "Monsters". Do you remember that one? It was a late-night anthology show like Tales of the Crypt or Tales from the Dark Side, in which a family of monsters watched TV shows. Well, the show is terrible (but I love such things) and the script is just okay.

The other stories are generally very good. There is a story about a Vietnam War theme park, where instead of merely presenting the concept, he delves into the implications of a veteran returning there. There is a long story about a Civil War reunion fifty years after Gettysburg, where the buried ghosts haunt the living. There is a story in which a student with disabilities lives in a fantasy world of his own creation (which just so happens to take place in the Hyperion universe), much to the detriment of his "real world" life. Dan Simmons also opens each story with a contextual piece that almost never provides anything useful.

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Prayers to Broken Stones Review

Dan Simmons, the author of renowned works like Song of Kali and Hyperion, has crafted a remarkable collection of short stories in Prayers to Broken Stones. With a foreword by Harlan Ellison, this book takes readers on a captivating journey. Each story within has its own distinct voice, and although the science fiction tales seem to share a common universe, they are all unique gems. The characterization, description, and voice in every story are simply exquisite, transporting readers into these small worlds and revealing sometimes strange and twisted landscapes.

However, there are a few copy-editing nitpicks. For example, when something needs oil, it creaks, not creek. And when someone agrees with a statement during a toast, they say "Hear, hear!" not "Here, here!" Also, the plural of bus is buses, not busses. These minor errors aside, this collection of short stories is truly amazing. It should be read slowly and savored, like a fine wine, rather than guzzled like a brew. I highly recommend it to all readers.