Lisa Goldstein

Lisa Goldstein is an American fantasy and science fiction author who has published numerous novels and short stories since her debut in 1982. She writes in multiple speculative fiction genres including magical realism, contemporary fantasy, and alternate history. Her novel The Red Magician (1982) won the American Book Award for First Novel and established her reputation for blending historical events with elements of magic and mysticism. Her other notable works include The Dream Years (1985), A Mask for the General (1987), and Strange Devices of the Sun and Moon (1993). Goldstein frequently incorporates Jewish themes, folklore, and mystical traditions into her fiction, as seen in works like The Red Magician which deals with Holocaust themes. She has published under both her own name and the pen name Isabel Glass. Her short fiction has appeared in major magazines and anthologies including Asimov's Science Fiction and The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror. She received the Sidewise Award for Alternate History for her 2011 novel The Uncertain Places.

Readers admire Goldstein's skillful blending of historical events with magical elements, particularly in The Red Magician. Many note her careful handling of Holocaust themes and Jewish mysticism. What readers liked: - Complex, layered narratives that reward rereading - Rich historical detail and research - Unique approach to folklore and mythology - Character depth and development - Subtle, understated writing style What readers disliked: - Slow pacing in some novels - Occasional confusing plot threads - Some endings feel rushed or unresolved - Difficult to categorize genre-wise, leading to mismatched expectations Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - The Red Magician: 3.8/5 (1,200+ ratings) - The Uncertain Places: 3.6/5 (400+ ratings) - Strange Devices of the Sun and Moon: 3.5/5 (200+ ratings) Amazon averages 4.0/5 across her works, with The Red Magician receiving the highest ratings. Multiple readers describe her work as "thought-provoking" and "atmospheric," though some find her style "too literary" for traditional fantasy.

The Red Magician (1982) A young girl in a Hungarian Jewish village encounters a mysterious magician who warns of approaching Nazi forces.

Tourists (1989) Two Americans in an unnamed Central American country become entangled in local politics and ancient magic.

A Mask for the General (1987) In a dystopian future America, artists create masks that hold mysterious power over a military dictatorship.

Strange Devices of the Sun and Moon (1993) Set in Elizabethan London, a merchant woman discovers the fairy court living among the city's inhabitants.

Summer King, Winter Fool (1994) In a world where seasons are controlled by magic, a woman seeks to restore balance between summer and winter kingdoms.

Walking the Labyrinth (1996) A modern woman investigates her family's connection to a mysterious Victorian magical society.

Dark Cities Underground (1999) A journalist discovers that children's stories about underground adventures are based on real magical subway systems.

The Alchemist's Door (2002) Historical fantasy following Rabbi Loew and John Dee as they work to protect 16th century Prague.

The Uncertain Places (2011) A Berkeley student in the 1970s encounters a family bound by a centuries-old fairy tale curse.

Weighing Shadows (2015) A computer programmer is recruited by time travelers who alter history through subtle manipulations.

Patricia McKillip writes fantasy novels that blend myth and reality in lyrical prose. Her works like "The Forgotten Beasts of Eld" and "The Riddle-Master" trilogy feature scholarly protagonists who uncover hidden magical truths.

John Crowley creates complex narratives merging historical events with supernatural elements. His novel "Little, Big" explores multiple generations of a family involved with faeries, while "Aegypt" examines renaissance magic and modern scholarship.

Nina Kiriki Hoffman focuses on characters who discover magical abilities while navigating everyday life. Her stories combine contemporary settings with hidden magical communities and traditional folklore elements.

Charles de Lint writes urban fantasy that incorporates mythology from multiple cultures into modern settings. His Newford series connects ordinary people with magical realms existing alongside the mundane world.

Emma Bull combines elements of folklore with contemporary urban settings in her fantasy novels. Her work "War for the Oaks" established many conventions of urban fantasy, integrating faerie courts with modern music scenes.