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An Oasis of Horror [7]

Obituary [v]

The Oedipus Effect [11]

Review by Ian Braidwood

Simon Sweetland works for the Scientific Civil Service, in the Department of Paranormal Research. His job, along with his assistant Mrs Carol Cloxeter, is to test young boys and girls for any psychic talents they may have.

One day, Simon comes into the office early so he can read his newspaper, when Lewis Fay turns up to offer Dr Sweetland a consultancy for his insurance firm. It turns out that one of Mr Fay's clients has died in an accident, which his son had foreseen. Mr Fay wants Simon to testify that the prophecy may have been a sublimated statement of intent; if so, the accident is covered by a get-out clause and Mr Fay's company doesn't have to pay.

This is a witty who-done-it. It also shows finesse of thought, which a lot of proponents of ESP etc, lack.

An Offer of Oblivion [5]

Review by Ian Braidwood

Simeon and Lazaro Ferrara are twins, who at the age of thirty six, set out on The Starman's Quest to find the perfect world.

After many years of fruitless searching the twins land on Berenita and Lazaro meets Myrca, a very special woman, who makes the eponymous proposal. Lazaro accepts and Simeon has no choice, but to leave Berenita to continue the quest alone.

Convinced of his eventual success, Simeon determines to entice Lazaro away from Myrca, so the brothers can be together once more. He sets about creating the wealth he needs to buy the one thing he thinks can part Lazaro from Myrca: ecstasy.

Generally speaking, I don't like Brian's stories from this period. The trouble is with the writing style, in which Brian details a list of events with explanations. He reports passion rather than showing it and the affect is to leave the reader somewhat uninvolved.

This isn't a problem with science based stories, but effectively hobbles character driven tales like this one.

O for a Fiery Gloom and Thee [4]

Review by Ian Braidwood

As the title implies, this is the story of passion overcoming reason.

Sir Florian is on the quest of the Holy Grail when he is waylaid by a fey called La Belle Dame Sans Merci; a temptress tempted herself by Sir Florian's chastity and devotion. It is a match destined to lead to ruin.

A light fantasy, set in the same sort of quasi-Arthurian setting as The Architects of Worlds.

O Goat-Foot God of Arcady! [6]

Only in the Twilight [11]

Review by Ian Braidwood

Let's play a guessing game. I'll list a few of the characters featured in this story of warring bike gangs and you tell me which story Brian is retelling. Okay?

Here goes: Perry Prime, Hector Prime and Hellcat Helen. Got it yet? No?

How about if I tell you that there's a reporter in there called Homer Hegarty? That's right... This is a retelling of The Iliad, or as Brian calls it, The Sickiad.

This had me gaffawing as I recognised the references until the end, when Brian reminded me that he isn't confined by fashion, but a maker of manners.

The Oracle [9]

Review by Ian Braidwood

Caxton is caught by Special Branch and taken via the local police station to the Centre and the supervision of psychologist, Susan Drayling.

It turns out that there is a drug, which causes certain individuals to predict the future, even to the point that they can earn a living down the bookies, betting on horses.

As you can imagine, the government has a vested interest in the future and runs Dream Centres for these gifted individuals, so that they can glean useful information.

Drayling has high hopes of former escapee Caxton, because she reasons, he must want to cooperate, otherwise he wouldn't have allowed himself to be caught.

Though totally different from The Hunger and Ecstasy of Vampires, this story explores much of the same territory. Especially the philosophical log jam that is the relation between prediction and free will.

Out of Touch [9]

Review by Ian Braidwood

Quite a sombre story, but then one covering a sombre subject.

How would you feel if you had to face not only getting old, losing independence and your loved one, but becoming obsolete?

This is the fate of Jake, an old man who has missed out on emortality by just a couple of decades. He has to leave his home to live with his son and daughter-in-law, who are a constant reminder of his mortality.

This story follows Jake through the early period of is adjustment.