Impressions of Clarkesworld Issue 19

Impressions aren't a review per say rather just some thoughts on what I've been reading. Impressions will usually consist of a cluster of short stories seeing as I usually read short stories in spurts between novels. I feel this will be a good way to get my thoughts down and more digestible for you the reader.

I stumbled upon Clarkesworld Magazine by accident a couple days ago and the first thing that caught my attention were the amazing covers. I'm telling you if the Clarkesworld people wanted to start making a little extra dough to help fund their endeavor they should think about offering the artwork up as prints. It's that good. I know I'd buy at least two to have hung in my library (spare bedroom with bookshelves in it.)

Amidst all the incredible artwork one cover stuck out from all the rest:



The piece is entitled "Floating Fish" by Matts Minnhagen. One less couth then I might say it "reeks of awesomeness" pun intended since it is a floating fish and that has got to smell god awful. But I digress as no matter how outstanding a cover is I am not one to judge a magazine by its cover alone so when I saw that there was a story from Jeffrey Ford and an interview with K.J. Bishop author of one of the best books I've ever read The Etched City I had to check it out.

After Moreau

Jeffrey Ford's After Moreau is a comical (at least I found it funny) look at what happened to the human/animal hybrid creations once Dr. Moreau had perished. Its funny and everything I expected from Jeffrey Ford. The creatures Ford concocts are at some times chuckle out loud funny. Be warned though there are scenes of bestiality if that's what you call it when human/animal hybrids have intercourse.

Flight

It takes a lot to make me squirm but Jerimiah Sturgill succeeded with his story about a woman who feels the need to "perfect" herself by any means necessary. Even after having watched a few seasons of Nip/Tuck I still get freaked out when it comes to plastic surgery. I guess I know from now on if I need a good scare instead of turning to ghosts stories I should turn to stories of plastic surgery.


Not Now, Sweetie, Daddy's Worldbuiling by Tim Pratt

This was my favorite piece of writing from this issue. It's an interesting look into how having a child has changed the way in which the author writes.

Refusing to be the same: An Interview with K.J Bishop by Jeff VanderMeer

I hadn't read any interviews from K.J. Bishop so I was interested to learn a little more about her. For the most part I'm not sure why but I envision each author being larger then life. Especially when I love there work but the thing I have to realize is that they're just normal everyday people like the rest of us. Some nice insights here into what makes K.J Bishop tick. Only criticism I have is I wish the interview was more in-depth and longer.

So my conclusions about Issue 19 of Clarkesworld; It's nothing world beating but it's a good solid production and while I wouldn't say that people should go out of their way to read it I would recommend just browsing the cover art and if you have a spare moment possibly checking out some of the stories.