Patterns

In the last ten years I've read 43 collections or anthologies, and this one is hands-down the best. It is all the more notable for being her first published collection of stories, and not even a "best of" anthology. Recommended!

Each story has a very brief intro by the author, giving the circumstances or where the story idea came from. The tales vary in length from a few pages to just over thirty. A final page gives their original published location, many in Omni - one of my favorite magazines early on. The plots are usually tightly woven and the characters solid and believable, an even mix of male and female perspectives.

Her work is often described as cyberpunk, but that's mostly the gritty feel and timing of her novels. This collection contains plenty that range far from that label, including vampires, ghosts, aliens, and ordinary runners. Well, maybe not so ordinary - but read it to find out what I mean.

This read finishes my 80s reading challenge for the year. I can't see why this author hasn't received more awards, but I regret to say I've never read one of her novels. I look forward to correcting that in the new year.