Not sure what I was truly anticipating, but this compilation of five novellas ultimately proved to be a bit of a letdown for me.

Undoubtedly, many individuals will hold a different opinion, yet I simply did not appreciate the stories to the extent that I perhaps should have.

WARNING: With the exception of the first one, these stories heavily rely on sex and sexual themes. There are some outrageously crazy scenes that nearly made me skip over them.

I have an aversion to stories that believe sex, although a normal aspect of life, is necessary to make a story great. In my view, it is a cheap and cliched method of maintaining the audience's interest in the writing.

\\"Entropy's Bed at Midnight\\" was a touching narrative about a man spending a wonderful day with his daughter and reminiscing about his work, as well as reflecting on how humans can be both careless and fragile.

It is a nice story, but the ending tapered off, leaving me with a \\"Huh? That's it?\\" expression on my face.

\\"Dying in Bangkok\\" is perhaps my favorite among the collection. It follows a man in search of the world's greatest pleasure, only to end up experiencing something that only the most privileged among us might encounter.

Let's just say that this story ventures far beyond normal male ejaculation. It involves a man expelling something other than semen and/or urine from his penis. Quite disturbing, especially for men, unless one has an inclination towards that sort of thing.

This story contains some of the most overly graphic sexual scenes I have ever read, bordering on pornographic material/erotica.

\\"Sleeping with Teeth Women\\" features an old Sioux man who, frustrated with a misrepresentation of his people, tells the story of a kid who has a vision, witnesses a time when his people will be hunted, and the story concludes in a rather crazy manner.

I'm not certain what I was hoping to gain from this story, but it definitely wasn't what I ultimately received.

\\"Flashback\\" is one of my least favorite stories. It centers around several characters; some are trapped in the past and unable to move on, while others are seeking ways to commit a crime and \\"flash back\\" to it in order to experience ultimate arousal.

Ultimately, they all become too political and quite predictable. The constant reference to the rape of a Spanish (or Spanic as it is referred to in the book) girl was extremely uncomfortable, and only the most deranged individuals would find the reliving of such an event through \\"flashback\\" to be interesting and exciting.

\\"The Great Lover\\" failed to engage me much as it lacked entertainment value. It is the last novella in the collection, over 100 pages long, and is beloved by many reviewers of this book, but it is not the type of story that appeals to me.

Overall, it is a solid set of novellas that dares to be different. These are all well-written stories, but my level of enjoyment was not as high as that of some of the other reviewers.

This series of novellas by the brilliant Dan Simmons is, as expected, truly brilliant. Each one has its own charm and appeal.

Among them, Sleeping With Teeth Women and The Great Lover are the real standouts. They are unique in their concepts, with wonderfully constructed plots. The research that went into them is evident, making the stories feel rich and detailed. The writing is poetic, engaging the reader from the very first page and leaving a lasting impression.

The least among these stories is the dystopian Flashback. While it has its moments, it does feel a bit constructed and lacks the authenticity that the other stories possess. However, it is still better written than most of what is published today.

Seriously though, if you haven't read Lovedeath yet, you should do so now. It is a must-read for fans of Dan Simmons and for anyone who appreciates great literature.

The title of this story collection, which is derived from the German word “Liebestod,” is a thematic element commonly found in opera and other European writings. However, it is less prevalent in American or even English literature. This theme explores the intersection of love, death, sex, and erotics, and it is central to the stories in this collection. Horror is often the closest genre that delves into these ideas, as seen in works like Dracula, Clive Barker's Hellraiser, and the films of Lars von Trier and David Cronenberg (not to mention JG Ballard).

Here, we have five lengthy stories. One of them firmly falls into the realm of horror and erotics, following a Vietnam vet in Thailand who searches for a legendary prostitute and stumbles upon a terrifying underground sex cult (reminiscent of William Vollmann's work). Another story delves into Native American myths about bodies and sex. There's also a tale about a man who feels distant from his wife and imagines her death and life simultaneously. One story deals with a future technology that allows people to revisit their memories (which I find quite horrific), and finally, a long novella at the end that is presented through the diaries of a WWI poet and the editorial notes of an academic, describing a ghost-like muse he encounters on the battlefield.

Unfortunately, this collection is not very good. The best story, which is also arguably the worst, is the one about the sex cult because it is the most action-packed and gruesome. While Dan Simmons is a competent prose writer and a solid thinker, without the genre elements in his work, his limitations become quite evident.

This set of stories had an odd and intriguing manner of delivery at times. However, for the majority of the collection, it worked favorably. It was both entertaining and original.

Since it is a small collection, I'll go through what I thought of my favorites.

"Entropy's Bed at Midnight" was fun and touching on a level that worked well. The strong, sincere characters and story demanded a response. The ending was great.

"Dying in Bangkok" was an awesomely strange monster story set in a vivid underworld. It provided an interesting glimpse into AIDS from a past perspective, looking forward.

"Flashback" was pure sci-fi fun. It really made me smile as it reminded me of the Digital Underground song from around the same time titled "Sex Packets". It moved the fastest of all the stories, and the generational differences shone wonderfully through the addictions and personalities. Damn those tricky Japanese!

"The Great Lover" was the longest story and moved along somewhat slower than the others. However, it was easy to grow attached to Rooke and his trench affair. The imagery was haunting and wonderful. It was easily the scariest of the bunch.

WOW.

What a short story ride from hell about sex, love and death!

This concise narrative takes us on a wild and intense journey through the complex and often tumultuous realms of human experience.

The themes of sex, love, and death are intertwined in a way that is both captivating and disturbing.

We are thrust into a world where passion and desire collide with the harsh realities of life and the inevitability of mortality.

The story unfolds with a sense of urgency and drama, leaving us on the edge of our seats, eager to see how it all ends.

Despite its brevity, it manages to pack a powerful punch, making us question our own beliefs and attitudes towards these fundamental aspects of existence.

It is a story that will stay with us long after we have finished reading, a reminder of the beauty and the beast that lies within us all.

A great collection of novellas from Simmons awaits the readers. Each novella in this collection is a gem in its own right, offering unique stories and captivating characters. The author has masterfully crafted these tales, taking the readers on a journey through different worlds and emotions.

What makes this collection even more special is that the best novella is saved for last. As the readers progress through the collection, they are building up anticipation for that final piece. And when they finally reach it, they are not disappointed. The last novella is a tour de force, with a plot that twists and turns, and a conclusion that leaves the readers breathless.

This collection is a must-read for fans of Simmons and for anyone who loves a good story. It showcases the author's talent and creativity, and is sure to keep the readers entertained from start to finish.

I have always been a great admirer of his works. His previous books have always managed to captivate me with their unique storylines, well-developed characters, and engaging writing style. However, I must admit that I am very disappointed in this particular book of novellas.

Each novella in this collection seemed to lack the depth and complexity that I have come to expect from his writing. The stories felt rushed and underdeveloped, as if he was more concerned with getting the ideas down on paper rather than taking the time to flesh them out properly.

The characters, too, were rather one-dimensional and failed to leave a lasting impression. I found it difficult to connect with them on an emotional level, which made it hard for me to become fully invested in their stories.

Overall, while I still have a great deal of respect for this author and his previous works, I cannot recommend this book of novellas. It simply does not measure up to the high standards that he has set for himself in the past.

Pěkná sbírka pěti zajímavých (delších) povídek s motivem lásky a smrti, jak už napovídá titul. This collection offers a diverse range of stories that explore the complex and often intertwined themes of love and death. Each story takes the reader on a unique journey, from the light-hearted and humorous "Zubatých žen" to the horror-filled "Umírání v Bangkoku" and the rather gloomy "Velkého milence".

The stories are well-written and engaging, with vivid descriptions and interesting characters. They manage to capture the essence of love and death in different ways, making the reader think and feel. Whether you're a fan of romance, horror, or something in between, there's something for everyone in this collection.

Overall, I would rate this collection a solid four stars. It's a great read for anyone looking for something a little different and thought-provoking. I highly recommend it.

Cogí el libro para leer uno de los famosos cuentos de Dans Simmons: Muerte en Bangkok.

This story is a pornographic tale about some vampires who suck blood but not precisely from the neck.

It takes the reader on a wild and steamy journey into a world where the boundaries of traditional vampire lore are pushed.

The vivid descriptions and erotic情节 make it a captivating read for those who enjoy this genre.

The characters are complex and engaging, adding to the overall allure of the story.

As the story progresses, the reader is drawn deeper into the dark and passionate world of the vampires in Bangkok.

It's a unique and exciting take on the vampire mythos that will leave readers breathless.

Final 10.

I understand it's often advisable for writers to "write what they know," as the old adage goes. However, in the horror genre, this frequently results in a plethora of stories centered around writers, or perhaps journalists or other types of artists. After a while, this can start to seem formulaic and wearisome. So, one of the first aspects that caught my attention about Dan Simmons' collection of novellas was the diverse range of perspectives presented. Instead of stories about writers grappling with deadlines or internal conflicts, readers are treated to tales about soldiers, court reporters, native youths, and even an insurance agent.

What makes this even more remarkable is the fact that each of these stories is clearly well-written and thoroughly researched. This leads to a variety of worlds with fully developed characters that are firmly rooted in reality before delving into the depths of the characters' psychological despair or the seedy nightlife that exists off the beaten path. Whether Simmons is incorporating authentic poetry from the World War I era or the language and myths of the Sioux tribe, his knowledge in these historical areas elevates these tales beyond ordinary genre fiction and allows readers to immerse themselves in the horrors of other worlds that are not often explored.

The standout story in the collection is "Dying in Bangkok," which takes place in the world of sleazy sex clubs in Thailand from the 1970s to the present day. It is so salacious and perverse that it would make Clive Barker blush. Essentially, it offers a new twist on both the revenge story and the vampire tale, perhaps degrading to everyone involved, men and women alike. If horror stories are intended to evoke feelings of revulsion, then this one hits the mark. It made me feel queasier and more uncomfortable than I have in a long time.

"Sleeping With Teeth Women," a story about a native youth's long journey to maturation, and "The Great Lover," a story about a soldier poet visited by a ghostly woman who may or may not be death itself, are both excellent as well. The former makes use of most native tribes' belief in the power of storytelling, combining specific moments of realism with mythic distortions. The latter showcases the long, linear, almost inevitable trajectory of violence in early twentieth-century warfare, on par with the seemingly endless trenches depicted in Stanley Kubrick's Paths of Glory. What all of these stories, especially these two, do well is allow the narratives to unfold logically. The endings are often unexpected, but they always follow from the events that have preceded them and never feel contrived or added merely to shock.

The more science fiction-oriented "Flashback" and the opening story, "Entropy's Bed at Midnight," are both good but have flaws. "Flashback" accurately captures people's tendency to escape their problems by delving into the past. However, it stumbles on some smaller issues such as how much people truly value their privacy, and its use of future teenagers' slang is distracting. Similarly, "Entropy" has a touching core message about how parents must let go of their children to experience the random whims of the world on their own. But it interrupts its main narrative too frequently, thereby deflating any tension that might have been built. These two stories prevent this collection from being a near-masterpiece.

Each of the stories left a certain impression on me and pushed me into thinking. Only one story, the one about female vampires. It really irritated me and it is the only reason why I didn't give this collection a full five stars.

I found the portrayal of the female vampires in that story to be rather one-sided and cliched. They were presented as these overly sexualized and bloodthirsty creatures, lacking any depth or complexity. It felt like the author was simply relying on the tired old tropes of the vampire genre without adding anything new or interesting.

Moreover, the story didn't seem to have a clear plot or message. It just seemed to be a random collection of scenes and events that didn't really come together in a meaningful way. I was left feeling confused and disappointed by the end of it.

Overall, while the other stories in the collection were quite good and managed to engage my interest, this one really fell flat for me. It's a shame because I had high hopes for the entire collection, but this one story really let it down.

Hmm, I really don't know about this one.

I have an extreme love for Dan Simmons. His works usually manage to captivate me completely. However, this particular book didn't quite have the same effect on me.

It was, nevertheless, quite interesting to observe the "first glimpses" of certain ideas that later made their way into his longer and more developed books.

It's as if we are getting a sneak peek into the early stages of his creative process.

But still, overall, this book didn't quite hit the mark for me as much as some of his other masterpieces.

Perhaps it was because my expectations were set so high due to my admiration for him.

Nonetheless, it's always fascinating to see how an author's ideas evolve and develop over time.

Even if this book wasn't my favorite, it still offers some valuable insights into the mind of a great writer like Dan Simmons.