Exo-Review: Colin Greenland on Margo Lanagan's 'Red Spikes'

Filed by: Darren on May 29, 2007 at 7:20
Filed In: Books

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed Margo Lanagan's quite wonderful collection Black Juice last year, I've been determined to complete her triptych of short fiction collections by getting hold of copies of both White Time (which, actually, I've just ordered from an Amazon seller for the handsome sum of £6.42 - nice!) and the third volume, Red Spikes, which as you can see from the pic is graced with some particularly fine cover art.

I'm particularly determined to acquire the latter (which isn't due until October; from Knopf in the US, unless Gollancz schedule a UK edition in the meantime..?) after reading this review on Strange Horizons by Colin Greenland, who's no slouch when it comes to wordsmithery either, let me tell you.

Also in this week's Strange Horizons reviews, Richard Larson reviews David Devereux's Hunter's Moon, which I read recently. It's a well-written review and I do I agree with much of Richard's analysis on the book. The weekly update email also promised a Paul Raven review of the Elastic Press antho Extended Play, but that must be appearing later in the week.

Filed on: May 29, 2007
Filed under: Books
Tagged with: Colin-Greenland | David-Devereux | Margo-Lanagan | Strange-Horizons |

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5 Responses to 'Exo-Review: Colin Greenland on Margo Lanagan's 'Red Spikes''

Ed on May 29th, 2007 8:44 pm

You could try dropping a few hints to Gollancz. Her contribition to the recent Nightshade Best of SF/Fantasy collection was another good one, called "Under Hell, Over Heaven"; and after just checking the back of said volume it is included in Red Spikes.
Now considering the anthology is edited by an Australian and Margo Lanagan is also Australian, and presumably the stories must be available then the book may well be out already in Australia. All you need to do now is find an on-line Oz based bookseller.
Ariel on May 30th, 2007 7:17 am

Yeah, I'm crossing my fingers, but it depends on how well Black Juice sold for them. Should have been a best-seller, given the quality of the material, but you just never know...

Looks like Red Spikes is indeed out in Australia (it won a Book of the Year Award for 2006) so I might just look into that online buying idea of yours (sounds like an interesting concept - think it'll catch on?)

Wonder how badly I'll get burned on the postage though?
Ariel on May 30th, 2007 10:37 am

Hmmm. Dymocks has a paperback edition for Aus$18.95, but then postage to the UK could be anything from Aus$35 to $50 depending on weight... so that's upwards of £22 for a paperback. Think I'll have to wait for the US hardcover, or download the e-book version that Margo mentions on her blog... US$12.55 seems a bit more affordable if I get desperate to read it in the meantime...
Ed on May 30th, 2007 8:01 pm

Makes you wonder how The Book Depository can post from UK to Australia for free, with no mark up on the selling price.
Ariel on May 31st, 2007 11:04 am

Maybe they send surface mail..?

I'll try another couple of retailers, see if anyone has cheaper postage rates, but I think I'd rather have a hardback for the collectables shelf, so I'll just wait until October, I reckon.