I am a big fan of science fiction that’s heavy on worldbuilding. I’m fond of experimental and innnovative storytelling techniques. I’m fine with stories that, skillfully crafted, begin in medias res or require some effort from the reader. This book was an impenetrable, hallucinatory mess. Perhaps others were able to glean some meaning or pleasure from this tangled thicket. I was not, sadly, able to make it past the first couple of chapters, and was not motivated to push on and try to find out if there was ultimately some coherence lurking out of sight - if so, it was exceptionally well hidden.

I received this book through Librarything Early Reviewers. I wasn't sure what to expect from this book - I have read superhero fiction before that was entertaining but ultimately escapist literature with little depth. This anthology delves into the personal lives, backstories, and relational dilemmas facing superheroes/villains. I was a fan of "Salt City Blue" (Chris Large) and "Origin Story" (Carrie Vaughn) in particular. As is the case with lots of literary fiction, many of these stories leave us at a point of emotional tension that remains unresolved. If you're looking for straightforward adventure stories, this probably isn't the anthology for you - but if you're open to more character and thematically-driven stories, this book is worth dipping into.

This book is a penetrating and nuanced look at the sociological underpinnings of intermarriage between different previously-endogamous religious communities in 20th and 21st century North America. The book treats intermarriage neither as an ill to be combatted, nor as a triumph of tolerance, but rather as a phenomenon whose implications are decidedly mixed, both for the families involved, and for the religious communities that support them and enrich their lives. Neither doomsaying or pollyannish, the book does a good job of unpacking and bringing to light the complexities of intermarried family life — including that of the author.

I was previously unfamiliar with David Levine's work, and was deeply impressed. This collection of stories was imaginative and moving, unsettling at times, uplifting at others. The stories' emotional depth and occasional rawness make even the stories with surreal premises ("I Hold My Father's Paws") well worth reading. I'll be looking for more by this new-to-me writer - a pleasure to have discovered him.