Not So Much, Said the Cat
by Michael Swanwick
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Pub Date Aug 09 2016 | Archive Date Nov 01 2016
Description
A Washington Post Best New Science Fiction Pick
In this much-anticipated new collection, Michael Swanwick (The Dog Said Bow-Wow) takes a feline turn—prowling the pages with grace, precision, and utter impertinence. The master of short science fiction takes us on whirlwind journeys across planets, time, and space, where magic and science co-exist in endless possibilities. Swanwick’s spectacular offerings are intimate in their telling, galactic in their scope, and delightfully-sesquipedalian in their verbiage.
In Not So Much, Said the Cat you’ll find time travelers from the Mesozoic partying ’til the end of time, and a calculus problem that rocks the ages. A supernatural horse-guardian journeys with a confused but semi-repentant troll. A savvy teenage girl wagers against the Devil, and is promptly set upon by the most unsuitable of suitors. And of course, you’ll meet Beelzebub the cat, whose subtle influence may not be entirely benign....
A Note From the Publisher
Advance Praise
A Washington Post Best New Science Fiction Pick
An io9 15 Must-Read Science Fiction and Fantasy Books Arriving This August
“Half Neil Gaiman, half Kelly Link, wonderfully unique.”
—Book Riot
[STARRED REVIEW] “Another collection of speculative fiction from Swanwick (Chasing the Phoenix, 2015, etc.), one of a handful of writers whose short pieces are as impressive as their novels. Versatility, craftsmanship, a dollop of weird, and a delightfully askew sense of humor are key to the 17 pieces here, all of which appeared between 2008 and 2014, together with an introduction that illuminates the contents without revealing too much. Certain themes, of course, are authorial favorites, such as time travel, aliens, and artificial intelligence. There's a man who, having suffered a crushing loss, finds solace after accidental contact with a time traveler; a group of time travelers hunkered down at the end of the Cretaceous period—where, oddly, nobody's interested in the dinosaurs; and a scientist who finds a partner worthy of her genius. We also get a fascinating glimpse (which feels like a novel fragment) of a far future populated by humans and centipedelike aliens, narrated by the intelligent space suit of a woman who's dead as the story begins; and another future where human lives resemble those in fairy tales while advanced, hidden AIs battle for supremacy. Elsewhere, in a literary-games vein, the characters in a fairy tale discuss whether they prefer to remain in books, and immortal, or enter history; there's a famous Gene Wolfe story stripped down, turned inside out, and rebuilt to perfection; and, in a marvelous conceit, the writer Alexander Pushkin appears as he may have been—in an alternative universe. To round out the collection, we meet a dutiful young woman who, entering hell to challenge the devil to return her father, discovers that things are not as she assumed; Darger and Surplus, those good-hearted rogues with a propensity to shoot themselves in the foot, make an appearance, as does "The House of Dreams," an entry from Swanwick's splendid Mongolian Wizard e-book series. Tales that, through their extraordinary clarity of thought and expression, showcase precisely why this multiaward-winning author is held in such high regard.”
—Kirkus, starred review
“Michael Swanwick shows his extraordinary range in Not So Much, Said the Cat (Tachyon) . . . Swanwick’s stories are wistful and weird, at times tragic yet still hopeful as the mythic and scientific intertwine.”
—Washington Post
“Swanwick excels at satisfying conclusions that cause readers to take pause and consider the actions of the characters. Thoughtful, witty, and, at times, disturbing, this collection will appeal to those who enjoy short fiction, no matter the genre.”
—Booklist
“An entertaining read from beginning to end, with plenty of tales to amuse, making for a great collection of short stories. Besides, who wouldn't want to spend some time with a sly seductive circus performer, some con artists and a robotic scarecrow with a conscience, and all without leaving the comfort of your sofa!”
—Starburst
“Ultimately, I think what strikes me most forcefully about Swanwick’s fiction, aside from his fresh yet historically resonant conceits, is its elegance and economy. Per the definition of the perfect short story, not a word is extraneous or wasted, not one element of plot inessential.”
—Paul Di Filippo, Locus
“You think you’re getting the kind of hors d’oeuvre many short stories deliver. But settle down, you’re in for a full gourmet meal that makes you feel as if you’ve just enjoyed a novel and lost a friend when you’ve finished it.”
—Strange Alliances
“This collection of short stories by five time Hugo award winning author Michael Swanwick is simply a delight to read . . . It’s a rare glimpse into how short stories should be constructed, and I guarantee, they’ll leave you thinking well after each story is done.”
—Open Book Society
“With his new collection, Not So Much, Said the Cat, Michael Swanwick once again proves himself one of science fiction’s most consistently imaginative and versatile short story writers.”
—Campus Circle
“[Swanwick’s] writing is flawless and creative, his characters incredibly well-developed for short stories, and the descriptive nature of his text can make you feel as if you’re living in these other worlds right along with the characters.”
—Times Union
“Each story is exquisite, the perfect density of plot, carefully crafted, beautifully executed.”
—Readcommendations
“If you read The Phantom Tollbooth as a child then Not So Much, Said the Cat is probably something you would be interested in!”
—Daily Toast
“Swanwick can move between genres so effortlessly and so competently that there’s no need for limitations.”
—Green Man Review
“OK—it’s official. Michael Swanwick is a god. He makes worlds that work, every tick and tock of them. He makes people who cry, sweat, puke, fall in love, die in conceivable ways. He’s smart and crafty, passionate and wily. Both trickster and life-giver. He creates and uncreates. And yes, he brings Light. If I don't exactly worship him, I read every story of his I can get my hands on. So thanks, Tachyon for bringing me more stories—some old favorites, some I hadn't read before. Because gods need their readers, and God knows, I need more Swanwick.”
—Jane Yolen, author of Briar Rose
“I would effuse about the excellence of the stories within this collection—Michael Swanwick's eleventh such—for they are by turns shocking, delightful, puckish, innovative, and electric. . . . However, I am too busy plotting how to steal the devil’s stone (given to him by a Siberian shaman) that Michael keeps by his typewriter in order to unlock his writing power, all without disturbing his cat.”
—Fran Wilde, Nebula-nominated author of Updraft and Cloudbound
“This is standard Swanwick, where the reader’s feet never quite touch the ground. Brilliant.”
—Jack McDevitt, author of The Engines of God
“Michael Swanwick is one of our most reliably entertaining and provocative writers.”
—Greg Bear, author of Darwin’s Radio
“Is there any SF writer, living or dead or cryonically suspended, who rivals Michael Swanwick for sheer virtuosity? I think not. From the hard-sf poignancy of ‘The Woman Who Shook the World Tree’ to the Borgesian high jinks of ‘The Man in Gray,’ from the beguiling folk fantasy of ‘The Dala Horse’ to the post-cyberpunk intensity of ‘Libertarian Russia,’ from the Bulgakov-inflected phantasmagoria of ‘Of Finest Scarlet Was Her Gown’ to the psychological realism (and biological surrealism) of ‘Passage of Earth’—I could go on—Not So Much, Said the Cat reveals an author who is a Jack-of-all-genres and their master as well.”
—James Morrow author of Galápagos Regained
“Speculative fiction is such a deep, wide ocean, that no matter how much one explores, one will always find something more. Michael Swanwick's new anthology, Not So Much, Said the Cat is a beautiful, brilliant pearl.”
—The Reading Desk
“A perfect marriage of classic stories and bleeding edge tech, from godlike continental AIs to the abolishment of time, clever discourse on libertarianism and zero-sum economics in a mirroring tale of humanity and alien bugs, fairy tales and one of the best futuristic con-games I've ever had the pleasure of consuming.”
—Brad K. Horner
“I fell head-over-heels in love with this collection of stories.”
—Lipstick and Libraries
“A whirlwind of stories that take you across the world, through different pockets of time, and into a sample of the lives being lived, Not So Much, Said the Cat is an excellent compilation. Swanwick’s latest book is a delight to read, both entertaining and insightful.”
—Pooled Ink
"True to form, Swanwick’s collection is eclectic, charming, and moving."
—Clarkesworld
“This magnificent collection is essential reading material to those who love quality and originality. The stories contained within its covers are simply marvellous and offer plenty of entertainment, excellent prose, memorable scenes and thought-provoking moments to readers.”
—Risingshadow
“Swanwick writes clear, elegant prose that is a joy to read, and excels at creating lifelike characters. Each story is a complete work of art.”
—SFRevu
“Speculative fiction is such a deep, wide ocean, that no matter how much one explores, one will always find something more. Michael Swanwick’s new anthology, Not So Much, Said the Cat is a beautiful, brilliant pearl.”
—The Reading Desk
“This collection proves that Swanwick is a name that should be mentioned every time people speak of Gaiman, Link, Shepard, Martin or Harlan Ellison. And Not So Much, Said the Cat is a collection that should be in every home.”
—On Books and Writing
“A very strong and entertaining collection of Swanwick's more recent stories.”
—Koenix
Praise for Michael Swanwick
“Swanwick's wildly imaginative and beautifully written short stories have been, for several years, one of the primary joys of the field.” —Washington Post Book World“One of contemporary sf’s greatest short-story writers.”—Interzone
“One of the most powerful and consistently inventive short story writers of his generation.”—Gardner Dozois, editor of the Year’s Best Science Fiction series
“An amazingly assured writer, seemingly incapable of writing a sentence that isn't interesting in itself, in addition to the way it moves the sentence forward.”—New York Review of Science Fiction
“Michael Swanwick is darkly magnificent.”
—Jack McDevitt, author of The Engines of God
“Swanwick's prose takes no prisoners.”—Time Out Chicago
Marketing Plan
-Advertising in national print and online, including Publishers Weekly
-Features and reviews targeting literary and genre venues
-Planned book giveaways on NetGalley, Goodreads, SF Signal, and other online outlets
-Promotion on publisher and author social media (http://floggingbabel.blogspot.com, @MichaelSwanwick)
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781616962289 |
| PRICE | $15.95 (USD) |
Links
Featured Reviews
Gail M, Reviewer
Dazzling, thoughtful, startling, at times a little scary, There is an incredible array of subjects here, from Dala horses to scarecrows to speculations on the nature of reality. Highly recommended.
Vijayalakshmi H, Reviewer
Speculative fiction is such a deep, wide ocean, that no matter how much one explores, one will always find something more. Michael Swanwick's new anthology, Not So Much, Said the Cat is a beautiful, brilliant pearl.
The variety within this anthology of 17 short stories is stunning. Each story is a distinct experience, a unique journey through different worlds, told with as many independent voices. If I had not known that all these were written by one author, I would have assumed that they were written by different people--that is testimony to Swanwick's range and writing prowess.
Yet, all these stories same to share some common themes. One is the idea of love. The Woman Who Shook the World-Tree, Pushkin the American, and An Empty House With Many Doors, for example, are all love stories, echoing the message that love is universal across time and space. Another recurring concept is that of free will. The Man in Grey, Steadfast Castle, The She-Wolf's Hidden Grin, are some of the tales that deal with the making of choices and handling the consequences.
One of my favourite stories from the anthology is The Dala Horse, which takes a 'little red riding hood' sort of tale and makes it grittier. Another is 3 A.M. in the Mezosoic Bar, an end of the world tale that showcases the fallibility of being human.Tawny Petticoats is a fun story about a temptress and a pair of futuristic swindlers.
With his layered and nuanced writing, Michael Swanwick transports the reader into these varied worlds. From romance to fairy stories, to murder mysteries, Not So Much, Said the Cat, has something for every reader. Not So Much, Said the Cat, published by Tachyon, is forthcoming on August 9th 2016.
FTC disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for this honest review.
Author Bio: http://www.michaelswanwick.com/auth/author.html
Joseph K, Reviewer
It was the last day of Sasquan, last year's WorldCon, when I wandered, mostly intentionally, into Michael Swanwick's reading. Swanwick is an author I first read back in 1998 when I read his Hugo nominated novel JACK FAUST. I didn't read him again until 2002's BONES OF THE EARTH. I remember enjoying both books, enough to want to read more. I'd bought STATIONS OF THE TIDE from the Science Fiction Book Club back when they'd offered it, but I never got around to reading it. So the two aforementioned novels were my only experience with Swanwick. I knew he was well-respected in the field, with 5 Hugo awards, a Nebula (for STATIONS OF THE TIDE), a Sturgeon award as well as a World Fantasy award. Again, it being the last day of the convention, I felt the reading would be a rather relaxed and informal affair, and it was. Swanwick read from his then forthcoming Darger and Surplus novel, CHASING THE PHOENIX. It was a pleasant reading, and I enjoyed what I'd heard. And then, for some reason, Swanwick floated out of my awareness.
Until I was presented with an opportunity to read an advance copy of his latest short story collection, "Not So Much, Said the Cat". The book contains short fiction originally published between 2008 and 2014. Every story in this collection is a gem - well written (I think that probably goes without saying), engaging, and enchanting.
Most readers will find something they like here, whether it be science fiction, fantasy, or a little bit of both in the same story.
Favorites? There were many. "3 A.M. in the Mesozoic Bar" is a tale of explorers who have gone back in time to when the dinosaurs were destroyed, with those explorers having their last drinks because they had no way home. There was a future ahead of them, but it wasn't *for* them, and how they coped with that is the essence of the story. "Tawny Petticoats" is a Darger and Surplus story of how two con men get conned during the con they were trying to pull off. It's a story I'd read previously, and enjoyed even more so the second time around. "The Dala Horse" gives us a tale about a young girl who owns magical toys that talk to her. The real question is whether they're really magical, really toys, and are they really there to protect her? In "Of Finest Scarlet Was Her Gown", a young girl's father is whisked away by strangers in the night. She follows them, and ends up in hell - down at the bottom of the stairs, don't you know - and makes a deal with the devil to try to get both of them out.
It's a dark and macabre tale, and teaches a lesson about trying to make that proverbial deal. "The Woman Who Shook the World Tree" is another story that I've read elsewhere, about a plain but brilliant woman who falls in love with her research assistant and the things that can go horribly wrong with a science experiment. "Goblin Lake" is a fairy tale of sorts, wherein we discover what really goes on in the lives of characters in books, and the thought processes that go into making the decision to be in that world by a man who falls into the titular lake and encounters characters who are in books.
Those may be my favorites, but most of the rest aren't far behind. "Pushkin the American" is probably the only story in the book that is not science fiction or fantasy,
but it does display Swanwick's writing and story telling ability. Pushkin is a man who finds himself stranded in Russia with no money, no job, and no one to lean on. He finds a way to become successful, but at a cost that many of us would not like to bear. "An Empty House with Many Doors" is a sort of cross dimensional story of a man whose wife has died, but who quite accidentally ends up in a universe where she is still alive. It's a poignant tale of a man so in love he would give anything to get his wife back. "The Passage of Earth" is a frightening tale that faintly recalls Heinlein's THE PUPPET MASTERS, although this particular version is a lot more scary than Heinlein's, I think. "Steadfast Castle" is a creepy tale of a house AI that was just a little too attached to its owner, although I think house AI is not quite the right term - probably a sentient house would be a better term.
There are more stories in this volume that demonstrate Swanwick's story telling range, his breadth of ideas, and his wonderful writing abilities - much like the stories described above do. Swanwick's writing, while literary, is greatly accessible; the stories make you think, but don't make you work. I suspect he had as much fun writing them as I had reading them. It seems that I have ignored Michael Swanwick far too long, and it's time to add him to the growing list of authors that I need to read, if "Not So Much, Said the Cat", is any indication of the rest of his work. I'm betting it is.
Jessica M, Educator
Excellent collection from a master of short form writing and a must for all SF/F collections
E V, Reviewer
Brilliant collection of short stories. Swanwick’s writing is richly imaginative, entertaining, and frequently mind-blowing. One of the many things I like about Swanwick, is that he doesn’t feel compelled to write a happy ending; this gives a feeling of reality to stories that are far from it. Free will was the theme of many of these stories. I liked almost all of them and absolutely loved a few. “Tawny Petticoats” told the tale of charming grifters, a pirate, and zombie laborers in New Orleans. In “Steadfast Castle,” a house literally loves its owner a bit too much. Part science fiction, part fantasy, all incomparable—I highly recommend this book. I loved it!
Isis E, Reviewer
I would like to thank Tachyon Publications & NetGalley for a copy of this e-ARC to review. Though I received this ebook for free, that has no impact upon the honesty of my review.
Goodreads Teaser: "The master of short science-fiction follows up his acclaimed collection "The Dog Said Bow-Wow" with feline grace, precision, and total impertinence. Michael Swanwick takes us on a whirlwind journey across the globe and across time and space, where magic and science exist in possibilities that are not of this world. These tales are intimate in their telling, galactic in their scope, and delightfully sesquipedalian in their verbiage.
Join the caravan through Swanwick's worlds and into the playground of his mind. Discover a calculus problem that rocks the ages and robots who both nurture and kill. Meet a magical horse who protects the innocent, a confused but semi-repentant troll, a savvy teenager who takes on the Devil, and time travelers from the Mesozoic who party till the end of time..."
Truly an exquisite collection of short tales! Swanwick remains the undisputed master of this form, and you'd be doing yourself a grave disservice should you miss out on these wondrous stories. Each story is a complete world unto itself, replete with rich characters, involved plots, and creative conundrums and conclusions that both confound and astound the sharpest of minds. These tales will leave you much richer than before experiencing them, and if you're anything like me, you'll be pondering some stories long after you've reluctantly set the completed book down!
Sarah A, Reviewer
Fantastic collection. I look forward to reading more fiction from this author!
Dawn N, Reviewer
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Scott
This collection of short stories by five time Hugo award winning author Micheal Swanwick is simply a delight to read. Running the gamut between science fiction and fantasy, there is something for everyone inside this aggregate of stories. It really exemplifies ‘speculative fiction’ in the sense it originally had. Reading it is like a full blown blast into the pulp era, with highly digestible stories that will leave your head spinning.
The writing is, in a word, immaculate. There is an ultra-tight word economy in place here. A single word out of context would bring any given story to its knees and it is through, no doubt, skillful editing that this is accomplished. Not So Much, Said the Cat never aims above the readers head, and everything is, almost, believable in any particular story. Even in the most outlandish piece of intertextuality I have ever seen, Swanwick to my delight, pulls it off without a hitch. It is truly a testament to his writing that he can sustain the reader’s attention and suspension of belief at the same time in some of the most bizarre environs the reader travels.
Thematically, Swanwick pulls off new tricks in each story to stupefy the reader. The sheer range of themes cover love, life, science gone wrong, catastrophe, death before dying, amongst others. No topic is off bounds, and the aforementioned word economy helps here in spades. Given the concise nature of each story, each packs a powerful punch – K.O. at end of the story. Self-professed short story aficionado, Not So Much, Said the Cat, highlights bears testament to a thinking mind and the years of dedication that went into the painstaking process of bringing these stories to life.
Characters are treated carefully in these works. Never expanding the cast to thin, Swanwick keeps close reign on the people who populate his work, maintaining a surprisingly three-dimensional quality in most cases. Their thoughts are real, they react the way people would (for the most part) and they live and breathe in the scenarios they are involved in. Not one is out of place, nor has motives that aren’t easily discerned. The twists and turns these people are turned through, in such a confined (story-wise) space, lends added weight to their credibility and verisimilitude.
Plot is where these stories really entwine the above. In any given story there is, surprisingly, a lot of labyrinthine paths the characters must tread. Not So Much, Said the Cat, exemplifies the plot-driven story and masterfully pulls back on ‘introspective’ pieces. The sheer number of different plots boggles the mind and it’s just a minute fraction of what Swanwick has produced. The reader is engaged in every piece, and it’s a nice ‘put-down, pick-up” book that is necessary to fully digest the implications, usually social, the plots produce.
If the old adage, there’s a story in anything, holds true, Not Much, Said the Cat is proof enough it is valid. Full of life, energy and depth of concept, each individual story can (and could) appeal to anyone. This is a story collection that definitely deserves a spot on anyone’s shelf, electronic or otherwise. It’s a rare glimpse into how short stories should be constructed, and I guarantee, they’ll leave you thinking well after each story is done. High praise is in order for Swanwick’s collection.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
Karen C, Reviewer
Michael Swanwick is a Hugo and Nebula award winning author and has numerous fans of his novels and short stories. However, it's only in the last few years that I've discovered how much I enjoy speculative fiction so this is my introduction to his writing.
Short story collections remind me a bit of albums, some stories will become favourites whereas others may feel more like fillers, often skipped over. Now and again though an album is packed with quality and the same is true of Not So Much, Said the Cat. Inevitably there were some stories I was more drawn to but there are no weak tales here and I suspect that if you ask a group of readers each person will have a different list of favourites.
This is a generous collection of short stories and so rather than try to describe them all, here is a brief outline of those that particularly stood out for me;
The Dala Horse is a post apocalyptic Scandinavian fairytale, beautifully atmospheric and whimsical but as with the best folklore it is also dark and disturbing. Goblin Lake also has a fairytale feel to it and invites the reader to imagine what they would choose in the same situation, it reminded me somehow of Hans Christian Andersen's stories. Lovers of alien stories will be well satisfied too, From Babel's Fall'n Glory We Fled is an extraordinarily well crafted story, it simultaneously satisfied me as a beautifully told complete short story and left me wanting to read more about this strange world. Passage of Earth is truly chilling, I really enjoyed this one but it's also one of the most disturbing stories I've read in a long time. If I was really pushed to picked a favourite I'd be torn between Of Finest Scarlet was Her Gown which gives the collection its title and is a witty, richly imagined trip to hell, and Tawny Petticoats - if Dickens did SF, a bawdy, funny and yet thought provoking yarn.
This really is a smörgåsbord of a short story collection taking the reader from the Mesozoic era, to Russia, Hell, far off planets, an alternative Europe and dystopian worlds controlled by non humans. It's the perfect taster to Michael Swanwick's writing, it enthralled me and kept me awake at night thinking and left me wanting to read more.
Thanks to the publishers for my copy, received through NetGalley in return for my honest review.
Librarian 230043
This author has a very wide range. I liked all of the stories, some I loved, and rarely did I find one that didn't catch my attention or deserve a second read. Very strong collection as most anthology have some stinkers, this one not so much. Wide range of subjects and genre. Excellent collection and I'd highly recommend it!
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