Wednesday, February 20, 2008

The Pile, Michael Bishop

Michael Bishop is one of the most accomplished science fiction writers, and has been a personal favorite since I was nineteen, when I read his astonishing A Funeral For the Eyes of Fire.

His son, Jaime Bishop, was shot dead on the Virginia tech campus on April 16, 2007, along with 31 others.

The Winter 2008 issue of Subterranean Magazine contains new a short story by Michael Bishop, titled "The Pile". It is dedicated to his son Jaime and is based on his son's notes.

It's an incredible read. Hard to categorize, the story is utterly unpredictable, riveting in its attention to detail and atmosphere, as well as succint characterization. It is amusing and disturbing at the same time. It is wisecracking and tinged with dread. It's not easy to forget.

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