This is Connie Willis' first collection - the stories date from 1979 to 1984. It's astonishing to realize how good she has always been, even at the very beginning. For my money, "All My Darling Daughters" is one of the most horrifying stories I've ever read. And yet in the same volume we get "And Come from Miles Around" and "Mail-Order Clone," absolutely hilarious. What a range! It would be interesting to read which stories other people pick out as their favorites, so please leave some comments in the journal. Enjoy these gems!

RABCK to arugh48187.

Another gem found packed in with To Say Nothing of the Dog (also by Connie Willis). I just finished up a book of short stories and although I don't usually like them, I found them perfect for reading at those odd times when I am caught without the current tome I am reading. Thanks for the RABCK. I'll let you know what I think when I am finished.

Well, I picked this one up because its next recipient expressed an interest in sci-fi and I am way too distracted by my upcoming move to India to concentrate on a full fledged novel. Even some of the stories in this book were too complicated or too long for my tiny attention span. I think this interfered with my enjoyment. But otherwise, this one was pretty good. I think my favorite story was the last; "Blued Moon". Seventy-five incidences of bad luck straight in a row is pretty hysterical.

Thanks for sharing. It will go in the mail as a surprise trade novel shortly. Hope the next reader enjoys.

What a FANTASTIC surprise! I am always excited when I trade for a 'surprise' book because I never know what I am going to get. I have The Doomsday Book already and was quite happy to receive a Connie Willis that I haven't got yet.
My TBR pile is pretty gigantic so it may be a while before I read this, but I will journal it agin once I have read it.
Thank you, arugh48187! I hope you enjoy the Repairman Jack!

Shame on me for not journalling this when I actually read it! Sorry :(

Anyways, I am quite glad that I got to read this and even went back and re-read a few of the stories to refresh my memory. Connie Willis has a very distinct writing style. I love the way her speculative fiction comes off 'sounding' almost historical(even Mail Order Clone - and very funny as well).
I have actually gone on to read other books by Connie Willis since receiving this one including Passage and To Say Nothing of the Dog, though my favorite remains The Doomsday Book. She is a great writer!
I have decided to finally dust this book off and get it moving again, so I am going to add it to the NPR VBB hosted by JudySlump612

I forgot that I'd requested these books from JudySlump612's NPR SF VBB, so it was a pleasant surprise when they arrived in the mail today.