Feeling Very Strange: The Slipstream Anthology

Feeling Very Strange assembles 16 short stories that exemplify slipstream fiction - a genre that exists between literary realism and speculative fantasy. The anthology includes works from authors like Michael Chabon, Karen Joy Fowler, Jonathan Lethem, and Carol Emshwiller. The stories move through settings both familiar and surreal, with characters who face situations that defy conventional reality. Each selection maintains connections to recognizable human experiences while incorporating elements of the fantastic or inexplicable. The collection demonstrates how slipstream navigates between genres, combining literary techniques with science fiction and fantasy elements. The editors provide context through an introduction that traces slipstream's development and its relationship to mainstream and genre fiction. The anthology explores themes of identity, perception, and the boundaries between what is real and unreal in contemporary life. These stories reflect how traditional distinctions between literary categories have become increasingly fluid in modern fiction.

Readers found this anthology helpful in understanding slipstream fiction, though many noted confusion about how slipstream differs from other speculative genres. Several reviewers mentioned the included essays provided useful context. Readers liked: - Kelly Link's "The Specialist's Hat" and Ted Chiang's "Hell is the Absence of God" received frequent mentions as standout stories - The mix of established and lesser-known authors - The editors' commentary between stories Common criticisms: - Some stories felt too experimental or difficult to follow - Several readers questioned if certain inclusions fit the slipstream category - The anthology's definition of slipstream remained unclear to many readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (257 ratings) Amazon: 3.8/5 (12 ratings) "A good introduction to literary/experimental SF but prepare to be confused," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. Another noted: "Some brilliant stories here, but also some that left me cold."

Magic for Beginners by Kelly Link A collection of short stories blends literary fiction with speculative elements, crossing genre boundaries in ways that defy categorization.

Stranger Things Happen by Aimee Bender Stories move between realism and fantasy with characters who encounter surreal situations in otherwise normal settings.

The Best of Jeffrey Ford by Jeffrey Ford These tales mix mundane reality with supernatural occurrences, creating narratives that exist in the space between genres.

Tenth of December by George Saunders The stories combine social commentary with elements of science fiction and alternate realities while maintaining a foundation in literary fiction.

The Weird: A Compendium of Strange and Dark Stories by Jeff VanderMeer, Ann VanderMeer This anthology collects works from authors who blur the lines between horror, fantasy, and literary fiction across different time periods.

🌊 "Slipstream" as a literary term was first coined by cyberpunk author Bruce Sterling in 1989, describing fiction that makes readers feel strange about reality 📚 The anthology includes works by both science fiction legends and literary authors, including Michael Chabon, George Saunders, and Karen Joy Fowler 🎭 Several stories in the collection were previously published in mainstream literary magazines rather than genre publications, highlighting slipstream's position between literary and speculative fiction ✍️ Co-editor James Patrick Kelly is himself a Hugo and Nebula award-winning author who has been exploring the boundaries between literary and genre fiction throughout his career 🌀 The book sparked significant debate in the literary community about whether slipstream should be considered its own genre or simply a description of the emotional effect certain stories create