The Proper Thing and Other Stories
Seanan McGuire
From the end of the world to the beginning, with a nice charcuterie plate to sustain us on the way, it’s time for another journey through the eccentric, eclectic short fiction of Seanan McGuire. From dangerous holidays to the beauty of the library, from the power of cheese to the power of love, this volume will take you from the past to the future, sometimes on the same page. Learn about the insecurities of the superheroic world, and how hard some people will work to survive the end of absolutely everything. Discover what everyone knows, and watch what happens when the cultural foundations are pulled from under your favorite cuisine. See what people will do when all else is lost, and watch what happens on the day the music dies. And when all that is through, visit our magical cheese shop for something truly delicious, impossible and unique. We have a little something for everyone in our box of delights. Don’t be afraid—just reach in, and choose a treat to improve and enhance your day. We’ve been waiting for another trip to the store on the corner, where they sell Wensleydale and wishes side by side. Come along now, let’s go.
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**I was provided an electronic ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.**
Actual rating: 3.5
Subterranean Press presents The Proper Thing and Other Stories, a collection of short works by Seanan McGuire. There are 24 pieces of fiction in this anthology along with accompanying illustrations for each. The stories chosen were written by McGuire between 2016 and 2022. None of the featured stories are exclusive to this collection aside from McGuire's introduction to the collection and her introductions for each piece. Many of the collected pieces were originally available on Patreon. The chosen works span the genre of speculative fiction to include fantasy, scifi, and horror.
I always mention this in my anthology reviews, but there will always be stories a reader is more or less attached to. I will say that this is the third (I think) collection of Seanan McGuire's works specifically that I have read, and I love how she does short fiction. Even if the story doesn't connect for me, I love McGuire's crafting of words and worlds.
Given that I read Laughter at the Academy, the previous Subterranean Press Seanan McGuire anthology, one can't help but to compare the two. I would say that overall this anthology is a bit more bleak as a whole as it includes writing generated during the pandemic. Nothing included in this anthology got under 3 stars for me, but likewise nothing got over 4 stars either. My personal highlights were as follows:
- Coafield’s Catalog of Available Apocalypse Events (an alphabet story which is a format I love)
- Now Rest, My Dear
- In the Land of Rainbows and Ash
- Vegetables and Vaccines
Overall, this was a cohesive collection that I was happy to have the opportunity to read early. I will undoubtedly continue to read Seanan McGuire's works in the future.
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