The Humans in the Walls

June 29, 2020
Nebula Award–winner Stone (That Leviathan, Whom Thou Hast Made) serves up a delectable stew of fantasy, horror, hard science fiction, and alternate history in 27 sumptuous, if often too-short, stories and one powerful novella. Humor enlivens many of the tales, as in the fantastical “P.R. Problems,” about a ghoul who resents the popularity enjoyed by vampires and werewolves. The uplifting “Lobstersaurus” sees a child adopt a baby alien that proves a loyal pet. Written entirely in recipes, “To Serve Aliens (Yes, It’s a Cookbook)” delivers an impressive final twist. And in the crafty “Cui Bono?” a paranormal detective investigates the kidnapping of the folkloric Green Man by a fossil fuel industry consultant. Other tales—including the wistful origin myth “Girl Who Asks Too Much” and the wrenching standout “Write What You Want”—are more somber. The charismatic characters and big ideas driving each of these tales are worthy of longer adventures than they are afforded here. Readers will be glad to get to spend more time dwelling in the universe of the title novella, about two spaceship stowaways who are chased inside the walls of the ship by murderous robots, and discover an interdimensional entity of Lovecraftian proportions. Stone’s writing is stunning throughout; fans of all niches of speculative fiction will enjoy.