Unveiling the Magic: A Review of Wilde Stories 2012: The Year’s Best Gay Speculative Fiction
As I settled into my favorite reading nook, I couldn’t help but feel a spark of excitement for Wilde Stories 2012: The Year’s Best Gay Speculative Fiction, edited by the talented Steve Berman. The very title suggests a realm of fantastical exploration—a blend of identity, love, and magic that promised to take me to places both familiar and strange. Having enjoyed the previous volume, I was eager to dive into this anthology, eagerly flipping through its pages like a child opening gifts on a birthday.
This collection is a veritable treasure trove that reflects the diverse and often complex experiences of gay men through the lens of speculative fiction. What struck me most were the themes of memory, love, and longing tightly woven into fantastical narratives. Stories like "Ashes in the Water" by Joel Lane and Mat Joiner linger with the weight of grief, making you reflect on the ghosts of lost relationships. Their ability to blend the haunting with the beautiful kept me turning pages late into the night, the characters’ struggles echoing in my own heart.
Berman’s careful curation shines through as he introduces readers to various settings, from a chilling suburban garden hiding secrets to the vibrant yet colorless landscapes of a colonized planet. The creativity here is incredibly refreshing. I found myself laughing out loud at Ted Infinity and Nabil Hijazi’s "The Peacock," where a spambot mastering the art of flirting with a lonely man spins an unexpectedly whimsical narrative brimming with warmth and good humor. That balance of lightness amidst heavier themes is one of the anthology’s many strengths—Berman truly knows how to honor his readers’ hearts.
Each story carries its unique voice, yet they share a common thread of exploring love, loss, and the vital force of connection. The writing throughout is consistently engaging, and I appreciated the varied pacing; some tales unfurl slowly, allowing for deep immersion, while others race ahead, keeping your pulse quickening. For a standout example, Lee Thomas’s "The House By The Park" juxtaposes a tender love story against a backdrop of creeping dread, creating an atmosphere that had me on edge long after I closed the book.
One of my favorite quotes from the review section describes the anthology as “a well-balanced, rock solid read,” and I couldn’t agree more. The emotional depth paired with whimsical placement kept me invested in each narrative. As a reader who often seeks a multifaceted experience, I found that Berman’s selections offered everything from thought-provoking tension to magical escapism.
In conclusion, Wilde Stories 2012 is a must-read for those who relish unique perspectives within speculative fiction—not just for LGBTQ+ audiences, but for anyone who appreciates imaginative storytelling. It invites us to explore not only the outer bounds of reality but also the intricate landscapes of our inner lives. This anthology left me feeling invigorated, a sense of wonder filling my heart as I pondered the many ways love and identity manifest—all within narratives that challenge the status quo. I highly recommend this collection to anyone curious about the myriad possibilities that lie between our world and the worlds of the fantastic. Grab your copy, find your favorite spot, and let the journey begin!
You can find Wilde Stories 2012: The Year’s Best Gay Speculative Fiction here >>