Neil Gaiman is the creator and writer of the DC Comics series Sandman. His most recent novel is American Gods (HarperCollins, $8).
Dangerous Visions edited by Harlan Ellison (I Books, $15). Back in print, in a celebratory edition 35 years on, this is an eye-opening look at what speculative fiction was and where it was going. Excellent stories by the best writers we had, with lengthy introductions by editor Harlan Ellison, give us a collection that changed the way we viewed SF and what it could do.
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Archer’s Goon by Diana Wynne Jones (Greenwillow, $17). One of the best things about having kids is that you get to read books like this aloud to them. Seven mysterious siblings secretly control all aspects of life in an English town. Howard and his family fall foul of them in a book that’s magical, hilarious, thrilling, and mind-expanding in turns.
Lud-in-the-Mist by Hope Mirrlees (Wildside Press, $30). Fairy fruit is being smuggled into the town of Lud-in-the-Mist, fruit that brings on madness and dreams. Nathanial Chanticleer, mayor of the town, finds that his own son has fallen victim to the plague, and soon enough his life, his job, and all he holds dear is in the balance. A fantasy, a ghost story, a detective story, and a fine and forgotten work of literature.
Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny (Avon, $7). Moving, funny, revelatory, cheeky, and beautifully written, Zelazny’s story of a far world run by people who have set themselves up as the gods of the Hindu pantheon, being challenged by cynical Buddha Sam, is the best SF novel of the ’60s.
Peace
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Political cartoons for October 26Cartoons Sunday’s editorial cartoons include Young Republicans group chat, Louvre robbery, and more
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Why Britain is struggling to stop the ransomware cyberattacksThe Explainer New business models have greatly lowered barriers to entry for criminal hackers
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Greene’s rebellion: a Maga hardliner turns against TrumpIn the Spotlight The Georgia congresswoman’s independent streak has ‘not gone unnoticed’ by the president
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Gilbert King’s 6 favorite books about the search for justiceFeature The journalist recommends works by Bryan Stevenson, David Grann, and more
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Nathan Harris’ 6 favorite books that turn adventures into revelationsFeature The author recommends works by Kazuo Ishiguro, Ian McGuire, and more
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Marisa Silver’s 6 favorite books that capture a lifetimeFeature The author recommends works by John Williams, Ian McEwan, and more
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Lou Berney’s 6 favorite books with powerful storytellingFeature The award-winning author recommends works by Dorothy B. Hughes, James McBride, and more
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Elizabeth Gilbert’s favorite books about women overcoming difficultiesFeature The author recommends works by Tove Jansson, Lauren Groff, and more
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Fannie Flagg’s 6 favorite books that sparked her imaginationFeature The author recommends works by Johanna Spyri, John Steinbeck, and more
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Jessica Francis Kane's 6 favorite books that prove less is moreFeature The author recommends works by Penelope Fitzgerald, Marie-Helene Bertino, and more
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Keith McNally's 6 favorite books that have ambitious charactersFeature The London-born restaurateur recommends works by Leo Tolstoy, John le Carré, and more
