Review of Cindy Phan, “Monstrous Attractions,” Luna Station Quarterly 58 (2024): 43-70 — Purchase online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
Content note: Violence against women.
What an odd story.
It sort of felt like a Wild West story, although being set in middle-of-nowhere Canada sort of belied that feeling. I’m also not sure if the story was taking itself seriously, or if I was supposed to read it as humor.
Review of Cindy Phan, “Alistair Catfish,” Luna Station Quarterly 49 (2022): Read online. Reviewed by Sara L. Uckelman.
“You grant small wishes and complain” is an absolute stunner of a line, said by Colin Abrams, the narrator, to the titular Alistair Catfish, whom he rescued from a hurricane and rehabilitated in his bathtub, and who now owes Colin wishes. Small wishes only, and only granted with complaint.
This was was an ordinary twist on the traditional “fisherman catches a glamorous fish and is well rewarded” tale until it was slowly overcome by a creeping horror. I was not expecting the story to go where it did, from how it started. Kept me on my toes!
SFF Reviews