Michael Bishop is an acclaimed American author of science fiction and fantasy, whose extensive body of work is distinguished by its profound exploration of human psychology and societal themes. His writing often transcends genre boundaries, blending introspective narratives with futuristic and fantastical elements. He frequently delves into moral dilemmas and complex interpersonal relationships within unconventional settings. Bishop's skill in crafting insightful characters and evocative worlds solidifies his status as a significant voice in modern speculative fiction.
"Unicorn Mountain, a Mythopoeic Fantasy Award winner for Best Novel, includes ranching in Colorado, Ute Indian lore, a Denver-based advertising firm, Swing Era music, an old Bendix TV set that transmits signals from an askew parallel Earth, and, last but no less disquieting, transdimensional migrations of living unicorns."--Publisher marketing
Set in a small Georgia town, a widowed young mother named Mary Stevenson Crye, affectionately called Stevie, juggles life as a freelance writer while raising her two children. Her reliance on a quirky, outdated typewriter, the PDE Exceleriter, adds a unique twist to her struggles for income and stability. The story explores themes of resilience and family dynamics as Stevie navigates the challenges of single motherhood in a changing world.
This retrospective Michael Bishop collection of fifty short pieces (thirty-four stories, fifteen poems or prose-poems, and one amusing Moon-based play about writing SF, "The Grape Jelly and Mustard Method") spans the author's entire career, from "Asytages's Dream," written while Bishop was a college student, to "Yahweh's Hour," an acerbic but moving work of science-fantasy political satire composed in 2020. The collection's most distinctive attribute, however, lies in the fact that no contribution is longer than 3,000 words and most are shorter, a kind of Palm-of-the-Hand Stories for lovers of short fiction, heartfelt pieces that afford the reader as much meat as they do flash."A Few Last Words for the Late Immortals," set on Saturn's largest moon, Titan, embodies a requiem for the entire human species. "Philip K. Dick is dead, a lass" memorializes in verse science fiction's preeminent bard of the reality breakdown." "Love's Heresy" and "The Library of Babble" appear to be channeling the labyrinthine mind of Jorge Luis Borges, albeit with surprising jinks all their own. And the list of narrative explorations grows and grows . . .Humor and horror, music and whimsy, primates and pathology, mice and men, religion and rebellion: these stories and poems cover the waterfront of human experience while acknowledging the singularity of each human life.
The narrative centers on a prehistoric man discovered in a Georgia orchard, whose profound honesty and spirituality clash with contemporary society. This conflict highlights themes of authenticity and the struggle between ancient wisdom and modern values. Michael Bishop, a Nebula Award-winning author, weaves a compelling tale that explores the impact of a primal perspective on a technologically advanced world, making "Ancient of Days" a significant addition to the science fiction genre.
Set against the backdrop of World War II, a gifted young shortstop named Danny Boles joins the Highbridge Hellbenders, where he forms an unlikely bond with Jumbo Hank Clerval, a towering first baseman known for his home runs. Their friendship unfolds amidst the challenges of war and personal discovery, leading to a poignant climax filled with both triumph and heartache. The narrative intertwines historical events with themes of heroism and the enduring spirit of baseball, creating a compelling homage to a significant era in American history.
Joel-Brock Lollis's family has vanished into the labyrinthine Sporangium below a curious Georgia emporium, Big Box Bonanzas. Glimpses of an older J-B Lollis of the Atlanta Braves on a BBB television suggest that Joel-Brock may never get back his parents and sister. The Valorous Smalls--almost-ten Joel-Brock, lively teen Addi, and tiny detective Valona--forge their way into the mushroom realm to change that possible future.
Seth Latimer, a human member of a family of clones representing a far-future interstellar commercial combine, finds himself marooned on Gla Taus with no way home unless he joins a mission to a neighboring world to negotiate the transfer of a minority population from one planet to the other. The lure of trade expansion versus the grip of local custom and belief sets the story in motion. Secrets and treacherous intentions boil to the surface as diplomacy devolves into brutal expediency against a background of complex gender and religious polarization. The colorful details of alien settings and cultures are lovingly woven into this story of passionate individuals caught up in the sweep of history toward tragedy, change, and eventual renewal.
Exploring diverse themes and settings, this collection features four long stories by Michael Bishop, showcasing his unique storytelling prowess. The title tale merges exotic adventure with 1930s pulp elements, while "And Strange at Ecbatan the Trees" presents a distant future where a flawed genius confronts catastrophic challenges. "To the Land of Snow" offers a unique perspective on a starship journey led by an unconventional Dalai Lama, and "The Gospel According to Gamaliel Crucis" presents an evangelist who believes in a sentient insect as a redeemer.
Corruption, Scandal, and the Framing of an Innocent Man
The narrative centers on a decades-old murder case in Nashville, where a private citizen, Michael Bishop, uncovers evidence suggesting that the wrong man was convicted. The 1964 murder of babysitter Paula Herring, initially blamed on a judge's son, is revealed to involve a conspiracy among elite members of society. With the help of renowned forensic experts, Bishop exposes the truth behind the crime and the subsequent cover-up, including interviews with key figures and a shocking confession, promising to alter Nashville's historical narrative.
Set in an alternative Atlanta between 2000 and 2070, the story unfolds under a massive artificial dome that obscures the night sky. Citizens live in a tightly controlled environment, spread across nine underground levels, where computer simulations create the illusion of weather and seasons. Despite the oppressive bureaucracy and confined living conditions, the inhabitants find ways to not only survive but thrive, showcasing resilience in a dystopian landscape.