The Changed Man (book) : A surprisingly chilling side to Orson Scott Card

I don't know how many of you out there are sci-fi fans in the book-readin' type sense, but I am and one of the best in this genre is Orson Scott Card who is the author of all the "Ender" oriented stories.

However, that is not what this entry is about at all.

I was surprised to find out one day that he is a quite accomplished author across other genres, and a great way to get a "teaser" of all his styles is to have a look at one of the books like The Changed Man

This incredible collection of short stories focus on the horror of Orson Scott Card and my goodness is he good at it. Eumenides in the Fourth Floor Lavatory is one of the most haunting stories I have ever read by anyone (including Stephen King) and it is the first story that is told in this book. I don't recall how long it is but it is absolutely riveting and will stick with you long after you finish reading it. "Fat Farm" is also something you will think about long after you have finished it.

While this and 4 other books of similar length are sold as separate small books, the individual subgenres (my term, not official) are combined in a full collection of Card's short fiction in an incredible (yet massive) book called Maps in a Mirror. If you have a chance to own or borrow this, you should do so. I used to own a collector's edition but I let a friend of mine borrow it and I do not have one anymore.

I am actually at a library now, re-reading the "tales of dread" in The Changed Man for the 3rd or 4th time (in my life, not one sitting) and I still find them wildly entertaining.

For people that are unfamiliar with his writing style, this is a fantastic way of being able to sample a wide range of his work with very little commitment. One chapter is not related to the next and therefore it is very possible to simply sample all 5 "styles" and see if his writing is for you.

I honestly believe that this is one of the best and most entertaining books I have ever read.