Reviews

In his introduction to this collection, Aldiss discusses the lack of clear definition of ``fantasy.'' These 23 stories reflect this ambiguity, falling into seven different sub-genres. ``Old Hundreth,'' the best known work, is conventional science fiction. Half a dozen others, including the title story, are tales of the supernatural, verging on fairy tales. Several, such as ``The Blue Background,'' are still-lifes: a verbal painting of a plotless scene. Another half-dozen are surrealistic. ``Castle Scenes with Penitents'' has one minor character with wings, but otherwise is an historical fiction along the lines of ``Day of the Doomed King.'' The best of the collection is ``The Small Stones of Tu Fu''; set in ancient China and the far future, it resonates with a quiet wisdom. All of the stories are carefully crafted word pictures that should be read slowly and savored. (Apr.)