amysisson's Short Story Reading for 2024

JANUARY 2024

1. Jan 8, 2024 - "Serpentine" by Philip Pullman. Knopf (standalone short work), 2020. Fantasy.
2. Jan 12, 2024 - "The Collectors" by Philip Pullman. Knopf (standalone short work), 2022. Fantasy.

Genre breakdown:

Fantasy - 2
Science fiction -

Story #1
Date Read: January 8, 2024

Title: Serpentine
Author: Philip Pullman
Length: est. ______ words
Category: Short story
Genre: Fantasy
Subgenre: N/A
Where Published: Knopf (standalone book)
When Published: 2020
Rating:

I hadn't realized there were more short tales from the "His Dark Materials" universe aside from Once Upon a Time in the North and Lyra's Oxford, until I stumbled upon Serpentine on a bargain book shelf. This story is about Lyra's guilt and doubt about what happened to Pan when she separated from him on the shores of the world of the dead. I wanted to like this better than I did, but I honestly found it confusing. I did like Tom Duxbury's charming woodcut-style illustrations.

Story #2
Date Read: January 12, 2024

Title: The Collectors
Author: Philip Pullman
Length: est. ______ words
Category: Short story
Genre: Fantasy
Subgenre: N/A
Where Published: Knopf (standalone book)
When Published: 2022
Rating:

Now this was a lovely little gem in the His Dark Materials universe! Two scholars in a world where the daemons are not visible and tangible discuss the curious connection and provenance between a portrait of a mysterious enigmatic woman and a bronze sculpture of a monkey. Those familiar will know of whom I speak!

I do wish, however, really wish the cover art on this little book matched the style of the other standalone short story books in this universe. This cover is such a different style than the others, and I find that a little jarring.