The Gates of Polished Horn
The Gates of Polished Horn
5.0 / 5.0
(5) 5 total reviews
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"A delightful collection of stories ranging across genres, whose recurring motif is the distinction between what is real and unreal, a true and a false dream. What this in turn leads to is the raising, usually in a lighthearted way, of the sort of moral questions we’ll soon be having to deal with more frequently."
~ Alex Good, Toronto Star
Where Reality Bends and Truth Becomes Questionable
Enter a world where nothing is quite as it seems. The Gates of Polished Horn is a mesmerizing collection of speculative fiction that challenges your perception of reality, consciousness, and what it means to be human in an increasingly synthetic world.
What Awaits Inside
- Genre-Bending Tales: Stories that seamlessly blend science fiction, fantasy, and philosophical inquiry
- Thought-Provoking Themes: Explore truth, reality, artificial intelligence, and synthetic consciousness
- Masterful Storytelling: The Toronto Star describes it as "whimsical yet unsettling"
- Unforgettable Characters: Meet beings both human and otherwise in these captivating narratives
- Fine Writing: Beautifully crafted prose that lingers in your mind
Perfect For Readers Who Love:
Speculative fiction that makes you think, stories by authors like Ted Chiang, Kelly Link, or Ken Liu, and narratives that blur the boundaries between the real and the imagined. This collection will challenge your assumptions and leave you questioning reality itself.
Step through the gates and discover what lies beyond. Add this collection to your library today.
It was easy to connect with Rayner’s characters but then a challenge to see them struggle to understand and cope with the world around them. We strive to find meaning in our existence. One gets a sense of how small we are and yet each person is a story to be told, unique and relevant.
Full disclosure: I was involved in the creation of this book. And Mark's a good friend of mine. I love this book, and it is my sincere belief that if you love quality short fiction you will love it too.
Mark A. Rayner shows his outstanding breadth with this collection of short stories. Sometimes mind-blowing. Sometimes outright hilarious. And occasionally deeply poignant. I can't recall the last time I'd cried, but the final story left me with wet eyes and a warm melancholy feeling in my chest as I went to sleep.I wholeheartedly recommend this book.
Being accustomed to Mr. Rayner's flash fiction, which has helped grow his legend as a master of humor, absurdity, and satire, this short story collection was a wonderful surprise. Those traits are still found peppered throughout these stories, but there is more meat to them. Rayner is showing his prowess as a genuine storyteller. The stories are at times subtle, at times dark, at times heartwarming, and heartbreaking. He's got skills, and we as readers get to reap the benefits. Bravo!
An excellent collection of short stories, entertaining and enjoyable. Some fun, some thoughtful, but all thought provoking. Definitely worth a read!