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via HorrorScope by Mark Smith-Briggs on 5/27/09
Aurealis #41 showcases the talents of Australia's female speculative fiction writers with an all-female issue of the premier fantasy, horror, and sci-fi mag.Featuring seven original stories from all spectrums of the speculative fiction genre – Aurealis #41 puts aside the usual contenders to showcase some of the country's up-and-coming talents. Horror, sci-fi, fantasy and humour are represented in equal measure showing a real diversity that doesn't pigeon-hole the authors into any clichés. Sure, many of the stories feature strong female characters, or bring a feminist take on a situation, but the "alternate view" brings an often refreshing spin to familiar themes or storylines.
LJ Hayward's "The Hounds of Wychwood" is the only story to use a male protagonist, but the period piece about a supernatural scholar who faces Fairy Hounds and Black Dogs in a quiet country village is a real treat. Helen Patrice's "Ladies Day" puts a fun twist on time travel with a comic tale about meddling in the lives of history's famous women writers, while Miranda Siemienowicz handles mythological tragedy just as well as she does horror with the beautifully penned "Aleph Mem Tav".
An essay by Patricia L O'Neill about her role in the discovery of the Ebola and HIV/Aids viruses is both educational and frightening, and poignant considering the recent swine flu outbreak.
The only real disappointment here is that Australia's female artists could not get the same look in as our writers, with all but one of the story illustrations done by men. Whether this highlights a shortage in speculative fiction female artists, I am not sure.
Aurealis #41 continues its run of good form and is well worth its cover price for those looking to see what our home grown girls have to offer.
Aurealis is a bi-annual magazine of Australian sci-fi, fantasy, and horror. Buy a single issue or subscribe for an annual membership here.
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