Red Spikes

“Lanagan solidifies her reputation as mistress of the strange.”—The Bulletin Margo Lanagan's electrifying stories take place in worlds not quite our own, and yet each one illuminates what it is to be human. They are stories of yearning for more, and learning to live with what you have. Stories that show the imprint love leaves on us all.If you think you don't like short fiction, that a story can't have the depth or impact of a novel, then you haven't read Margo Lanagan. A writer this startling and this original doesn't come along very often. So for anyone who likes to be surprised, touched, unsettled, intrigued, or scared senseless, prepare to be dazzled by what a master storyteller can do in a few short pages.? “This razor-sharp assemblage thrusts readers . . . into alien, hermetic environments and uncompromisingly idiomatic points of view.”—Booklist, Starred Margo Lanagan's electrifying stories are for anyone who loves to be surprised, touched, unsettled and dazzled by what a great writer can do in just a few pages. Ten electrifying new stories from Margo Lanagan, internationally acclaimed author of Black Juice and White Time . 'Lanagan is in a class of her own.' Weekend Australian 'The genius (not too strong a word) of Margo Lanagan is her ability to reach into darkness and return with something both different and powerfully convincing. It's astonishing enough to be introduced so abruptly to a writer this good, but even more extraordinary is her seemingly effortless mastery of the short story form, and what she proceeds to do with it.' LOCUS, USA 'Lanagan asks us to look at the world differently to see its fullness.' Sydney Morning Herald 'With enormous skill, Lanagan disturbs as she entertains, stimulating our minds and playing havoc with our hearts. ' Good Reading Praise for Lanagan's award-winning collection, Black Juice 'A good short story, a really good one, is deceptively difficult to write. Which is why Black Juice is such an outstanding collection. Because every single story in it is, quite simply, perfect. That's what I said: perfect.' Outland , UK Margo Lanagan's electrifying stories take place in worlds not quite our own, and yet each one illuminates what it is to be human. They are stories of yearning for more, and learning to live with what you have. Stories that show the imprint love leaves on us all.If you think you don't like short fiction, that a story can't have the depth or impact of a novel, then you haven't read Margo Lanagan. A writer this startling and this original doesn't come along very often. So for anyone who likes to be surprised, touched, unsettled, intrigued, or scared senseless, prepare to be dazzled by what a master storyteller can do in a few short pages.From the Hardcover edition. About the Author......Page 1 Also by the Author......Page 2 Title Page......Page 3 Contents......Page 5 Baby Jane......Page 7 Monkey's Paternoster......Page 29 A Good Heart......Page 43 Winkie......Page 57 A Feather in the Breast of God......Page 77 Hero Vale......Page 99 Under Hell, Over Heaven......Page 123 Mouse Maker......Page 147 Forever Upward......Page 163 Daughter of the Clay......Page 187