Author Biography

Tad Williams is a bestselling fantasy author whose works include Tailchaser's Song; The War of the Flowers; Caliban's Hour; and series novels including Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn; and Otherland. He is also the author of the comic miniseries, Next published by DC Comics. He lives in Soquel, California.

Table of Contents

The Old Scale Game The Storm Door The Stranger's Hands Child of an Ancient City The Boy Detective of Oz: An Otherland Story Three Duets for Virgin and Nosehorn Diary of a Dragon Not with a Whimper, Either Some Thoughts Re: Dark Destroyer Z is for... Monsieur Vergalant's Canard The Stuff that Dreams are Made Of Fish Between Friends Every Fuzzy Beast of the Earth, Every Pink Fowl of the Air A Stark and Wormy Knight Black Sunshine And Ministers of Grace

Review

[STARRED REVIEW] "This marvelous short fiction retrospective testifies to the breadth of Williams's creativity. All but one of these 17 otherworldly tales have appeared in magazines or anthologies, but fans will welcome the chance to have them all in one place. Several of the earlier pieces are particularly charming, including "The Old Scale Game," with its thoroughly modern monsters, and "Every Fuzzy Beast of the Earth, Every Pink Fowl of the Air", a chortling version of the book of Genesis. Williams effectively portrays poignant human regrets and longings in "Three Duets for Virgin and Nosehorn," a miniature masterpiece, and explores the paradoxes of religious belief in "The Stranger's Hands" and "And Ministers of Grace." "A Stark and Wormy Knight," a linguistic tour de force, shows without one misplaced word just how clever dragons can be. Williams's sensitivity to atmosphere and trademark attention to telling detail shine through most of the selections in this varied collection of little gems." --Publishers Weekly "Throughout this collection Williams ably demonstrates that he is a jack of all trades -- and their master as well." --Interzone "Obviously fans of Tad Williams will enjoy this, but then anyone with a sense of humour, a love of the unknown and anyone that enjoys a good tale should benefit from these stories." --Fantasy Book Review "An essential addition to the bookshelf for fans of Tad Williams and also a great opportunity for new readers to sample the breadth of his storytelling prowess." --SF Signal "Obviously, Williams' many fans will eat this up. However, those who have been thinking about reading some of his work but have been hesitating will find this book a great indoctrination..." --January Magazine "Of the far too many authors cramming the fantasy field with seemingly endless series, only a few are genuinely worthy of our time. Very Best of Tad Williams proves that he is among this select company, and may also cause some to drastically re-evaluate the talents of this prolific and popular author, and discover his other equally satisfying works." --Bookgasm "Williams does a masterful job at writing epic storylines. So I wasn't sure how this was going to work out. And it was great." --Bookstooge "well written and fun" --Drunken Dragon "For readers unfamiliar with Tad Williams' writing, this may be the perfect springboard, as opposed to launching into epic fantasies, or even series of any sort. One of the more surprising books I've had the pleasure of reading this year, and I say that in spite of the fact that I was already a huge fan of Williams' work." --The Cover Contessa

Long Description

"This marvelous short fiction retrospective testifies to the breadth of Williams's creativity." -- Publishers Weekly , starred review Within these pages you will find such delightful and curious things as a strange storytelling vampire, two woefully-overmatched angels, a dragon in cahoots with a knight and a witch, an ineptly duplicitous fish, the loyal robot butler of Werner Von Secondstage Booster, and the Greatest Wizard of All (disputed). From his epic fantasy series, including Memory Sorrow and Thorn--which George R. R. Martin cited as an inspiration for Game of Thrones --to the classic novel Tailchaser's Song , Tad Williams has mastered every genre he has set his pen to. Here are the stories that showcase the exhilarating breadth of Williams' imagination, hearkening back to such classic fantasists as J. R. R. Tolkien, Ray Bradbury, Peter S. Beagle, and beyond. Whether you are a devoted reader of his longer works, already a devotee of his short fiction, or even new to his writing entirely, The Very Best of Tad Williams is the perfect place to discover one of the most talented and versatile authors writing at any length today.

Review Quote

"Williams does a masterful job at writing epic storylines. So I wasn't sure how this was going to work out. And it was great."

Excerpt from Book

Excerpt from "The Old Scale Game" "Flee or be broiled to crackling! Those are your only choices!" The monster rustled in the depths of the cave. Its voice was loud because it was large, and dry because centuries of breathing deadly fire had roughened its throat. "Neither, if you please." The man in armor waited as patiently as he could, hoping he was far enough back from the entrance that he would not actually broil if the tenor of conversation failed to improve. "I wish to discuss a proposition." "A what?" The outrage was unfeigned. "I had heard that there were knights abroad in this miserable modern age who practiced such perversities, but I never dreamed I should ever suffer such a foul offer myself! Prepare to be radiantly heated, young fool!" "I am not remotely young, and I don't think I'm a fool either," the knight said. "And it's not that kind of proposition. Ye gods, fellow, I haven't even seen you yet, not to mention the smell of you is not pleasing, at least to a human being." When the dragon spoke after a longish silence, there was perhaps a touch of hurt feelings in its voice. "Ah. Not that kind of proposition." Another pause. "How do I know that when I come out you will not attempt to slay me?" "If I felt sure I could slay you, I wouldn't be here talking. I give you my word as a knight that you are safe from me as long as you offer me no harm." "Hmmmph." That noise, accompanied by a puff of steam, was followed shortly by the sound of something long and scaly dragging itself over stone as the dragon emerged from the cave. The knight noted that, although the great worm had clearly seen better days, his scales dingy and nicked, his color decidedly less than robust, he was still quite big enough and probably quite hot enough to keep negotiation more appealing than attack.

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