First published 1974
This anthology brings together fourteen works of speculative fiction from established and emerging voices. Ursula K. Le Guin examines perspective in "Direction of the Road." Edward Bryant delivers two pieces including "Shark" and "Pinup." Brian W. Aldiss contributes four stories spanning "Serpent Burning on an Altar," "Woman in Sunlight with Mandoline," "The Young Soldier's Horoscope," and "Castle Scene with Penitents." Kate Wilhelm presents "The Red Canary" while Gene Wolfe closes the collection with "Continuing Westward." Other contributors include Michael Bishop with "The Windows in Dante's Hell," Vonda N. McIntyre's "The Genius Freaks," and Doris Piserchia's "Half the Kingdom." The volume ranges from short fiction to Mel Gilden's longer novelette "What's the Matter with Herbie?" These stories explore alien encounters, altered realities, and human transformation across diverse settings and scenarios.
Genres: short-stories, science-fiction, speculative-fiction
Vibes: atmospheric, diverse, thought-provoking
Tropes: diverse-voices, exploration-of-perspectives
240 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Berkley Medallion