Kenneth Schneyer

received a gratis copy of the book from the publisher; this does not impact my review.

I've been a fan of Ken Schneyer's work for several years. Indeed, I had previously read about half of the stories in this compilation. They were even better the second reading--and even more, I can see how his skill has deepened over time. It's not a surprise that one of his recent stories "Selected Program Notes from the Retrospective Exhibition of Theresa Rosenberg Latimer" (not in this collection) is up for the Sturgeon Award and was shortlisted for the Nebula.

Schneyer's background is in the legal field. This expertise incorporates very well with science fiction, and the first portion of the book focuses on THE LAW. It's very easy to write about whimsical technological improvements, but Schneyer adds intense realism by showing how something may be viewed--or even abused--within the law. "Life of the Author Plus Seventy" plays with the idea of cryogenics and debt, whereas "The Whole Truth Witness" shows how cases can be manipulated even when a witness cannot lie.

I think my two favorites, though, were in the section on THE HEART. "Liza's Home" brings an entirely fresh perspective to the complications of time travel and parallel worlds. Then there's the story that devastated me--"The Orpheus Fountain." I hadn't read this one before. It's pure science fiction, but the situation it created is, for me personally, the stuff of horror.

I typically don't like experimental stories. Often, they strike me as gimmicky and somewhat arrogant. Schneyer's writing is the exception for me. His story "Tenure Track" reminded me a great deal of "Selected Program Notes" (again, not in this book, but you can find it in Clockwork Phoenix 4 or the full story online for free) in how it uses letters to indirectly tell a deep story. In the case of "Tenure Track," it follows the relationship of a college professor and his wife as they endure treatments to extend their lives--but it's all done through letters, forms, and most heart-breakingly of all, a list of charitable donations for tax write-off.

Schneyer created a strong collection. The title may be The Law & The Heart, but in truth, these stories are all about heart.… (more)