Finally, the review! I finished “Strange Itineraries” by Tim Powers about two weeks ago. I just haven’t had the time to comment on it. Part of that was the impact it left on me. It didn’t bowl me over. But then it still left a decent impression on me.
The book is a collection of short stories. It is Powers’ only published collection. He is primarily a novel writer. I think it showed in this collection. A lot of great ideas that needed more time to get fleshed out. There was one story that (to me) screamed the need to be a novel, or even just a novella. His style is modern/urban fantasy, with a penchant for writing in the past. Usually in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.
Here is the rundown of stories:
“Itinerary”
“The Way Down the Hill”
“Pat Moore”
“Fifty Cents” (co-written with James P. Blaylock)
“Through and Through”
“We Traverse Afar” (co-written with James P. Blaylock)
“Where They Are Hid”
“The Better Boy” (co-written with James P. Blaylock)
“Night Moves”
My favorite of the nine stories was “The Way Down the Hill”. It could have easily been longer, but still was satisfying at it’s length. It deals with a division of humans among us that are reincarnated. Many even commit suicide when things get tough in old age, because who after all wants to go through that hell? One recent addition (and recent meaning 150 years ago) to the clan becomes it’s leader, but has created a bit of a shake up amongst the other brethren. After years of missing their regularly scheduled meetings, one of it’s members gets caught up in a coup of sorts.
I thought “Pat Moore” was decent, but that was the story that needed more. It has a very surreal feel at times, and could have easily been much, much longer. “Itinerary” was a great time travel type story that really confused me. But how he tied all the issues together really impressed me. “The Better Boy” was an odd tale of a man obsessed with his tomato plants, and using frozen ether to save them from the worms. I found parts of it interesting and just a good story, and other parts just not interesting at all, maybe even pointless. Though some of that may have come from the character development, which in that case is a credit to Powers’ skill. Or Blaylock’s, since it was co-written with him.
I read a review on Amazon.Com where the reader backed up my feelings that Powers is a great novelist and it shows at times in this collection. Though he still gave the book a 5-star rating. (Insert eye rolling smiley) I, on the other hand, have never read any of Powers’ novels, though have a few on my shelves. Again, I think his writing style lends itself to novel writing. Though overall, this wasn’t a bad read.
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