Book Review: Bangs & Whimpers
Bangs and Whimpers: Stories About the End of the World by James Frenkel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I started reading Bangs and Whimpers: Stories About the End of the World as part of my research for my own post-apocalyptic novel. Now I have all kinds of interesting ideas about how things will end for us. It also seems like many science fiction authors view the human race as something that needs to be purged from the planet. I realize that this collection focuses on the end of the world--a pessimistic topic in itself, but come on folks: wouldn't you be at least a little bit sorry to see us go?
My favorites from this collection:
We Can Get Them for You Wholesale by Neil Gaiman
A bitter little man takes his love of a good bargain way too far.
Fire Catcher by Richard Kadrey
Grim, graphic, brilliant and beautiful. This is one of the best short stories I've ever read.
The Wind and the Rain by Robert Silverberg
The planet cleanses itself, but why not help it along.
Ultimate Construction by C.C. Shackleton aka Brian W. Aldiss