Nano Comes to Clifford Falls and Other Stories
Nancy Kress
Golden Gryphon Press, $24.95, 324 pages, ISBN: 9781930846509
reviewed by Barry Hunter

Many critics and readers feel that BEGGARS IN SPAIN is the crowning achievement in Kress’ writing career. I’m going to have to disagree and nominate this volume as the centerpiece in her career. It contains a collection of her shorter works and shows that even though length and subject matter may vary, her characterization and exquisite wordsmithing do not.

In the title story, the latest in technology comes to a small town and the results are not exactly the utopia that was promised. The story of what happened to the person involved in first contact is told in The Most Famous Little Girl in the World. To Cuddle Amy is a short horror tale for parents. Shiva in Shadow uses the Hindu god as metaphor in a story of scientific quest. Ej Es has to be read to be understood and appreciated. Other stories run the range from computer viruses, alien life, destruction of worlds and the seeding of worlds, Kress makes them interesting and different.

This is definitely a book to add to your library. Kress has quickly joined my list of writers to look for and I’m sure she will be on yours after reading this volume. Golden Gryphon continues to bring out a varied and interesting collection of titles. Visit them at www.goldengryphon.com for a complete listing of their titles.