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alexandrapierce's review against another edition
5.0
A book that celebrates the marginalised throughout history. The women. The black. The brown. The queer. The trans. The freaks.
Stories that give the marginalised agency, even when they're oppressed; purpose, even when they're condemned; existence, even when they're ignored.
I loved this anthology. I at least liked, if not loved, every single story.
Every story is set in a historical time and place: parts of the Americas, Asia, Africa, Europe. They deal with real instances of marginalisation and oppression: sometimes minorities within hostile communities, sometimes systemic social oppression. In each story the characters are those whose stories have tended not to be told in Official History - at least not until the last few decades, and still slowly at that. In some cases the stories are triumphant; in some cases the stories tell of loss and woe. But almost always there's an element of optimism, or hope. That through oppression, defiant humanity shines through. That despite others trying to remove that humanity, the marginalised know that they are human, and deserving of dignity. Even if in this instance, they're not accorded it. I found it an unexpectedly uplifting anthology.
It reminded me of Cranky Ladies of History, for its agenda of shining light into often unlit areas of history. But the difference is that this is consciously speculative fiction about the margins. Most often that's expressed as magical ability of various kinds, rooted in real religious systems or within individual humans; or there's the occasional science fictional element. Sometimes it's zombies or shape-changing, or magical/otherworldly creatures. Sometimes the speculative element is central to the story, and sometimes it's just there, part of the world. It's always done well.
Everyone should read this anthology.
Stories that give the marginalised agency, even when they're oppressed; purpose, even when they're condemned; existence, even when they're ignored.
I loved this anthology. I at least liked, if not loved, every single story.
Every story is set in a historical time and place: parts of the Americas, Asia, Africa, Europe. They deal with real instances of marginalisation and oppression: sometimes minorities within hostile communities, sometimes systemic social oppression. In each story the characters are those whose stories have tended not to be told in Official History - at least not until the last few decades, and still slowly at that. In some cases the stories are triumphant; in some cases the stories tell of loss and woe. But almost always there's an element of optimism, or hope. That through oppression, defiant humanity shines through. That despite others trying to remove that humanity, the marginalised know that they are human, and deserving of dignity. Even if in this instance, they're not accorded it. I found it an unexpectedly uplifting anthology.
It reminded me of Cranky Ladies of History, for its agenda of shining light into often unlit areas of history. But the difference is that this is consciously speculative fiction about the margins. Most often that's expressed as magical ability of various kinds, rooted in real religious systems or within individual humans; or there's the occasional science fictional element. Sometimes it's zombies or shape-changing, or magical/otherworldly creatures. Sometimes the speculative element is central to the story, and sometimes it's just there, part of the world. It's always done well.
Everyone should read this anthology.
longshotlink's review against another edition
5.0
An excellent book filled with wonderful stories told from unique perspectives. The only thing I wish was different was the stories ended too early! So many stories left me wanting to know more, to know what happened next. So much more to wonder about and discover. A great read that inspired me to try writing outside of the usual.
gripyfish's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
lsparrow's review against another edition
3.0
a collection of short stories - speculative historical fictions.
I was not as excited by most of the stories as I thought I would be. A few good stories but most felt too complex for the short story genre.
I was not as excited by most of the stories as I thought I would be. A few good stories but most felt too complex for the short story genre.
boreasword's review against another edition
5.0
Strongest stories to me are: The Dance of the White Demons by Sabrina Vourvoulias, Ogres of East Africa by Sofia Samatar, The Our by Thoraiya Dyer, Ffyedd by S. Lynn, The Witch of Tarup by Claire Humphrey, Collected Likenesses by Jamey Hatley, Angela and the Scar by Michael Janario, The Colts by Benjamin Parzybok, The Heart and the Feather by Christina Lynch, A Deeper Echo by David Jon Fuller, Jooni by Kemba Banton, There Will Be One Vacant Chair by Sarah Pinsker, It's War by Nnedi Okorafor, Find Me Unafraid by Shanae Brown, A Wedding in Hungry Days by Nicolette Barischoff
drjagrier's review
4.0
A selection of needed short speculative fiction stories that highlight new perspectives. Most of the stories are original and engaging. While each is not universally amazing, some are real gems. The collection as a whole is strong, powerful, and speaks to a variety of experiences not usually found in spec fic.
popthebutterfly's review against another edition
3.0
Rating: 3/5
Genre: Fantasy/ Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 16+ (mature scenes, language, and some gore)
Favorite Quote: "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul"
"In 1514 Hungary, peasants who rose up against the nobility rise again – from the grave. In 1633 Al-Shouf, a mother keeps demons at bay with the combined power of grief and music. In 1775 Paris, as social tensions come to a boil, a courtesan tries to save the woman she loves. In 1838 Georgia, a pregnant woman's desperate escape from slavery comes with a terrible price. In 1900 Ilocos Norte, a forest spirit helps a young girl defend her land from American occupiers.
These gripping stories have been passed down through the generations, hidden between the lines of journal entries and love letters. Now 27 of today's finest authors – including Tananarive Due, Sofia Samatar, Ken Liu, Victor LaValle, Nnedi Okorafor, and Sabrina Vourvoulias – reveal the people whose lives have been pushed to the margins of history. " - back cover blurb provided by Amazon
This might not be everyone's cup of tea, but for those who love to read about history whether it be fictional or nonfictional. This book is a series of short stories that are historical fiction and also blur the lines between reality and fantasy. For the most part I loved this book. I loved the different takes on different historical points and I loved how the authors Incorporated fantasy elements into the stories, but I had a lot of issues with this series.
Some of the stories were really really well written and could have easily been made into full books, but some of the others were really bad. The characters weren't developed and the stories were confusing. The pacing was off on a lot of stories, but this is a collection of short stories.
Overall about half of the stories were very enjoyable and exciting and you might like some of the ones I didn't! That's the joy of books: no one reads the same book twice.
Genre: Fantasy/ Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 16+ (mature scenes, language, and some gore)
Favorite Quote: "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul"
"In 1514 Hungary, peasants who rose up against the nobility rise again – from the grave. In 1633 Al-Shouf, a mother keeps demons at bay with the combined power of grief and music. In 1775 Paris, as social tensions come to a boil, a courtesan tries to save the woman she loves. In 1838 Georgia, a pregnant woman's desperate escape from slavery comes with a terrible price. In 1900 Ilocos Norte, a forest spirit helps a young girl defend her land from American occupiers.
These gripping stories have been passed down through the generations, hidden between the lines of journal entries and love letters. Now 27 of today's finest authors – including Tananarive Due, Sofia Samatar, Ken Liu, Victor LaValle, Nnedi Okorafor, and Sabrina Vourvoulias – reveal the people whose lives have been pushed to the margins of history. " - back cover blurb provided by Amazon
This might not be everyone's cup of tea, but for those who love to read about history whether it be fictional or nonfictional. This book is a series of short stories that are historical fiction and also blur the lines between reality and fantasy. For the most part I loved this book. I loved the different takes on different historical points and I loved how the authors Incorporated fantasy elements into the stories, but I had a lot of issues with this series.
Some of the stories were really really well written and could have easily been made into full books, but some of the others were really bad. The characters weren't developed and the stories were confusing. The pacing was off on a lot of stories, but this is a collection of short stories.
Overall about half of the stories were very enjoyable and exciting and you might like some of the ones I didn't! That's the joy of books: no one reads the same book twice.
haygurlhay's review against another edition
4.0
Hmmm...
This collection was mighty interesting. I really enjoyed most of the stories in here. There were some that honestly weren't that great (happens in every anthology let's be honest), but I also couldn't quite understand the inclusion of some stories. Most anthologies you can tell what the trajectory of the story order is, where it's time, period,location, genre, theme, SOMETHING. I also thought it was interesting that a lot of the africana/latindad (though to be honest there weren't that many, but I could be wrong. I didn't google most of the authors included in Long Hidden). Anywho...after a point, it just felt like a chore to finish towards the middle of the book- with some good stories here and there, though I will say that the last 3-4 stories at the end SAVED this anthology for me.
Maybe I was in the wrong state of mind to read this but it pretty good for all the complaints! :-P
This collection was mighty interesting. I really enjoyed most of the stories in here. There were some that honestly weren't that great (happens in every anthology let's be honest), but I also couldn't quite understand the inclusion of some stories. Most anthologies you can tell what the trajectory of the story order is, where it's time, period,location, genre, theme, SOMETHING. I also thought it was interesting that a lot of the africana/latindad (though to be honest there weren't that many, but I could be wrong. I didn't google most of the authors included in Long Hidden). Anywho...after a point, it just felt like a chore to finish towards the middle of the book- with some good stories here and there, though I will say that the last 3-4 stories at the end SAVED this anthology for me.
Maybe I was in the wrong state of mind to read this but it pretty good for all the complaints! :-P
paintedgiraffe's review
5.0
That was woooooonderfulllll ^^ I'm pleased to have purchased this amazing anthology filled with people of color. (Though there are some caucasian people as well) I only disliked maybe 3(?) of the short stories, but that's really good considering there were a total of 27.
The only thing I slightly had a problem with was that, overwhelmingly, most of the stories took place in the United States. Though I suppose that could have been making the point that America is a melting pot...
The only thing I slightly had a problem with was that, overwhelmingly, most of the stories took place in the United States. Though I suppose that could have been making the point that America is a melting pot...