I truly believe that horror fiction shines brightest when presented in the form of short stories or novellas. This is precisely where Simmons reaches his peak. Among the stories in this collection, "Entropy's Bed at Midnight" and "The Great Lover" stand out as my absolute favorites.

"Entropy's Bed at Midnight" weaves a spine-chilling tale that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The atmosphere Simmons creates is palpable, with every word dripping with a sense of dread and foreboding. The story unfolds in a way that makes you question everything you thought you knew, leading you down a path of darkness and mystery.

"The Great Lover," on the other hand, takes a different approach to horror. It delves into the realm of the psychological, exploring the depths of a character's mind and the terrors that lurk within. Simmons masterfully crafts a narrative that is both disturbing and captivating, making you sympathize with the protagonist while simultaneously recoiling in horror at their actions.

Overall, this collection of horror stories is a must-read for any fan of the genre. Simmons' talent for creating unforgettable characters and immersive worlds is on full display, and each story is a testament to his skill as a writer. Whether you prefer short stories or novellas, there is something in this collection for everyone to enjoy.

In general, I tend to avoid reading anything that is labeled as horror. So, the fact that I am giving this book 4 stars is indeed a high compliment.

Two of the novellas in this collection were more graphic and gory than what I usually prefer. However, in each case, this aspect was an essential part of the story and not just gratuitous. I found both "Dying in Bangkok" and "The Great Lover" to be amazingly powerful, despite being very different from each other.

"Sleeping with Teeth Women" was a slow-moving, coming-of-age story, which I also liked. On the other hand, I didn't much care for "Entropy's Bed at Midnight". I wasn't entirely sure what it was about or what actually happened at the end.

Overall, this makes me think of the book as being sort of a 3.5. But considering that three out of four novellas were quite good, it's still a pretty decent read.

Genijalno,

I really have no other word to describe this wonder of a book. It is truly a masterpiece that has captivated my attention from the very first page. The story is so engaging and the characters are so well-developed that I felt as if I was a part of their world. The author's writing style is simply superb, with every sentence flowing seamlessly into the next. I found myself completely immersed in the book, unable to put it down until I had reached the very end. This is definitely a book that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves to read. It is a must-read for all book lovers out there.

This book truly took me an inordinate amount of time to wade through.

Out of all the stories, only "Dying in Bangkok" really managed to grab my attention.

"Entropy's Bed at Midnight" was a rather sweet tale that delved into the theme of a father grappling with uncertainty.

"Sleeping with Teeth Women" had a great premise and ended up being my second favorite novella.

However, my only complaint is that Simmons seems overly eager to show the reader just how much he knows about Native Americans.

"Flashback" was a forgettable sci-fi tale that failed to leave any lasting impression.

"The Great Lover" was simply too long and too boring, causing my interest to wane significantly.

Some of the war stories were decent, but I still had to struggle mightily to stay engaged.

Overall, this book had its moments, but it also had several不足之处 that prevented it from being a truly outstanding read.

This is an excellent collection that consists of 5 novellas.

Each novella is unique and captivating in its own way. The stories are well-written, with engaging plots and well-developed characters.

I found myself completely immersed in the world created by the author. The collection offers a diverse range of themes and genres, ensuring there is something for every reader to enjoy.

Whether you are a fan of mystery, romance, or adventure, this collection has it all. The author's writing style is流畅 and easy to follow, making it a pleasure to read.

I highly recommend this collection to anyone looking for a great read. It is truly a gem that will leave you satisfied and wanting more.

The stories presented here are truly great and extremely creative. They have the power to captivate the imagination and take the reader on wonderful adventures.

However, as much as I can appreciate their quality, they are simply not in my personal style. I find poetry to be a particularly challenging form of literature.

The use of words, the rhythm, and the hidden meanings can often be difficult for me to understand and fully appreciate. It requires a different way of thinking and a more refined sense of language.

While I respect and admire those who have a talent for writing poetry, it is not something that I can easily engage with. I prefer other forms of literature that are more straightforward and accessible to me.

Nevertheless, I will continue to explore different types of stories and writing styles, hoping to find something that truly speaks to me and matches my own tastes and preferences.

I picked up this book simply because I had never heard of it before. Now, I find myself wondering why it has remained so obscure.

Lovedeath is Simmons at his best. All of the work I have read by him so far (admittedly not a large amount) has been at least excellent, if not outright mind-blowing, and this one is no different. In fact, it is a collection of five novellas that revolve around the themes of love and death, but not in a simple way.

Let's take a closer look at each piece.

"Entropy’s Bed at Midnight" tells the story of a father who has lost his son and now wants to protect his daughter. But at what cost? In this world, even stepping out the front door can be deadly. Simmons does a great job of juxtaposing the memory of the past loss with the present fear of losing his daughter. It's a simple story, but told in a heartbreaking way that is full of bittersweet emotions.

"Dying in Bangkok" is darker than the first tale and offers a creepy look at the seedy underbelly of pleasure and how our sexual desires can lead us astray. It's sensual, cautionary, and a bit disturbing all at once, making for an excellent mix.

"Sleeping with Teeth Women" is about a seemingly useless young man who ends up being the hope of his people. I found this one a little long-winded, but in a funny and nebulous way. The ending will probably surprise you.

"Flashback" is Simmons' nod to science fiction. It's about a drug that allows people to relive their memories at the expense of the present. I sensed a bit of a cautionary tale in this one, more so than in the second story. It's almost dystopian and could easily become a reality, serving as a plea to live life to the fullest and in the present, something that many of us forget to do.

"The Great Lover" was saved for last, and for good reason. It's a long novella that weaves together beauty and grimness to create a tapestry that is one of the best short works of speculative fiction I've ever read. The paranoia, terror, and tragedy of war are intertwined with the main character's epiphany about the meaning of life. It may sound trite, but Simmons pulls it off with great skill.

In conclusion, I highly recommend this book. Even if some of the stories are too terrifying or gritty for your taste, you're likely to find something to like in this collection. And if you're a fan of Dan Simmons, it's an absolute must-read.

Dan Simmons presents five captivating novellas that explore the profound themes of Love and Death. Each novella offers a unique and engaging perspective, although some stories stand out more than others.

"Entropy's Bed at Midnight" begins strongly, delving into the psyche of a parent who has lost a child in an accident and is consumed by the need to keep the remaining child safe. The story builds a sense of dread, but unfortunately, it loses its way and ends somewhat disappointingly.

"Dying in Bangkok" is a challenging and unforgettable read, blending elements of erotica, horror, vampires, and HIV to create a truly unique and disturbing tale.

"Sleeping with Teeth Women" predates Simmons' novel "Black Hills" but already showcases his love for the Sioux. In this novella, he crafts a fascinating story about an Indian boy who experiences visions of the white man's conquest of his people. It is a moving, interesting, and powerful piece.

"Flashback" is the only science fiction story in the collection. Similar to the novel of the same name, it presents a realistic portrayal of what would happen if a drug that allowed people to "flash" to their memories became available in America. While the premise is interesting, it would have been even more engaging if the focus had been solely on the impact of the drug rather than getting sidetracked by politics.

"The Great Lover" is a masterpiece of horror that vividly describes the WWI battle of the Somme, where over a million men lost their lives. Simmons' portrayal of a poet trapped in the trenches, slowly losing his grip on sanity amid the horror and tragedy of war, is haunting, horrific, and grisly.

Overall, these novellas are well worth reading, as Simmons, as always, has a talent for writing powerful stories that explore the complex and often tragic nature of love and death.

This was my first encounter with Dan Simmons' work, and I must say, I became an instant fan.

This remarkable collection consists of five novellas, each delving into the intertwined themes of love and death. Every single story in this collection struck a chord with me. "Dying in Bangkok" and "Sleeping with Teeth Women" were particular favorites.

However, the pièce de résistance is undoubtedly "The Great Lover." It chronicles the experiences of a young soldier/poet in the trenches of World War I. This is a period of history that I have a special interest in, and I have read numerous non-fiction books on the subject. But none of them can come close to describing the terror, chaos, suffering, and ultimately, the futility of trench warfare as vividly as this story does. It is meticulously researched, exquisitely written, and quite frankly, terrifying.

I give five stars to "Love Death," and if I could award an extra star for "The Great Lover," I most certainly would.

A couple of the stories within this book were indeed quite good. They had engaging plots and interesting characters that managed to capture the reader's attention. However, despite these few亮点, the overall book is not one that is worth keeping. There were several aspects that detracted from its appeal. For instance, some of the other stories felt平淡无奇 and failed to hold the reader's interest. Additionally, the writing style in certain parts was rather choppy, making it a bit difficult to follow the flow of the narrative. Overall, while there were a couple of good stories, the book as a whole lacks the cohesion and quality to be considered a keeper.

As is the case in every other Simmons book I’ve read, the writing is of upper tier quality.

The stories in this novella collection are exquisitely crafted, boasting an insane variety of styles and subject matters. You’ll embark on a journey that takes you from the trenches of World War 1 in the French countryside, to a dystopian future teeming with junkies, and then to seedy underground sex shows in Thailand. You’ll ride along with a Native American on a vision quest of massive importance and relive a father’s worst memory.

BUT...

This book is most definitely not for everyone. I’m not going to sugarcoat it... it gets extremely disturbing and uncomfortable in certain places. So much so that I wouldn’t recommend this book to just anyone.

In particular, “Dying In Bangkok” was one of the most difficult reads of my life. I had to read sections of it in 3 or 4 page chunks because it was literally making me feel sick, and that NEVER happens to me. I had to take a breather for a couple of days at one point, lol. It’s just that twisted at times (no spoilers here... discover this one for yourself!). Simmons holds nothing back in this one. NOTHING. No taboo is off the table. I definitely look at this writer a little differently after reading it.

Disturbing subject matter aside, “LoveDeath” is also highly emotional and super creative at times. “Flashback” is the standout for me. It’s about a dystopian future where everyone is addicted to a drug that allows you to relive your favorite memories in real-time. What an amazing concept!

Overall, this novella collection, while not perfect, is definitely MEMORABLE. And you can’t deny that Simmons has range. These stories are all drastically different from one another. You probably won’t like them all, but I’m willing to bet you’ll dig at least a couple of them quite a bit.

Just keep in mind if you do read this... it delves into some very dark places and covers a lot of disturbing and taboo subject matter, so read at your own risk. And don’t say I didn’t warn you!

3.75/5 stars

Dan Simmons' Lovedeath is an incredibly captivating collection of short horror/drama stories.

Each story within this collection is a gem in its own right. They are filled with elements that are both fantastic and spine-tingling, yet also manage to touch the heart.

Although there are some stories where I struggled to understand how they fit in with the others, it doesn't take away from the fact that they are all wonderful, whether read together or separately.

Entropy's Bed at Midnight is my absolute favorite. It is an emotional rollercoaster, with moments of hilarity and a cliffhanger that is one of the most desperate I've ever encountered.

Dying in Bangkok, I chose not to read as I've seen reviews stating that it contains extremely graphic sexual content in abundance.

Sleeping with Teeth Women is also a great story. Although it seems to veer off course about two-thirds of the way through and some of the initial events are never fully resolved, it's still well worth the read. The finale is truly pulse-racing.

Flashback is the second-best story here. It comes to a crashing close that catches you completely off guard and has definitely added Simmons' companion novel to my To-Read list.

The Great Lover tells the story of a beautiful woman visiting a young soldier-poet who is half-insane in the trenches of World War I. It wasn't until the last five pages that I really understood it, making it a must-read for Simmons fans.

Overall, Lovedeath is a collection that is sure to satisfy any lover of horror and drama.