Comments on: PC010: Magic in a Certain Slant of Light http://podcastle.org/2008/06/03/pc010-magic-in-a-certain-slant-of-light/ PodCastle is the world\'s first audio fantasy magazine. Weekly, we broadcast the best in fantasy short stories, running the gammut from heart-pounding sword and sorcery, to strange surrealist tales, to gritty urban fantasy, to the psychological depth of magical realism. Our podcast features authors including Peter Beagle, Benjamin Rosenbaum, Jim C. Hines, and Cat Rambo, among others. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:47:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Tamara http://podcastle.org/2008/06/03/pc010-magic-in-a-certain-slant-of-light/#comment-1761 Tamara Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:28:28 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=27#comment-1761 @Drawquarter, you can read the text of the story at Strange Horizons at the link above. That's what I did, when I couldn't listen anymore about a third of the way through. I think that what happens in these cases is that the original recording has some static or noise that makes it sound fuzzy, but the "clean up" procedure that filters out the noise also makes it sound tinny. Speaking for myself, I'd rather the quality were not so clean rather than clean but tinny. @Drawquarter, you can read the text of the story at Strange Horizons at the link above. That’s what I did, when I couldn’t listen anymore about a third of the way through. I think that what happens in these cases is that the original recording has some static or noise that makes it sound fuzzy, but the “clean up” procedure that filters out the noise also makes it sound tinny. Speaking for myself, I’d rather the quality were not so clean rather than clean but tinny.

]]> By: Hyperion http://podcastle.org/2008/06/03/pc010-magic-in-a-certain-slant-of-light/#comment-1106 Hyperion Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:10:44 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=27#comment-1106 The production values have already been adressed, so we'll leave that alone, and I'm new here, so I won't make too big a deal of the "complaints" about the alleged lack of magic in tale. That said, whatever prestidigtational quota you were hoping would be met, discovering a story this wonderful is always a treat. The pain of Nora made my heart ache, and the storytelling's asymetrical path made the Reveal all the more fantastic. I love how Nora's ability is never really parsed out, and how a woman so wrapped in the illusion of sicence refuses to deal with such a giant plot-hole in her life's story. The hint of things left unsaid allow this story to be interpreted in so many different ways. I suppose it depends on that slant of light shining in the reader's eyes. The production values have already been adressed, so we’ll leave that alone, and I’m new here, so I won’t make too big a deal of the “complaints” about the alleged lack of magic in tale.

That said, whatever prestidigtational quota you were hoping would be met, discovering a story this wonderful is always a treat. The pain of Nora made my heart ache, and the storytelling’s asymetrical path made the Reveal all the more fantastic. I love how Nora’s ability is never really parsed out, and how a woman so wrapped in the illusion of sicence refuses to deal with such a giant plot-hole in her life’s story.

The hint of things left unsaid allow this story to be interpreted in so many different ways. I suppose it depends on that slant of light shining in the reader’s eyes.

]]> By: The Fix | From the Podosphere: June 2008 http://podcastle.org/2008/06/03/pc010-magic-in-a-certain-slant-of-light/#comment-968 The Fix | From the Podosphere: June 2008 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:32:18 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=27#comment-968 [...] stories for June begin with “Magic in a Certain Slant of Light” by Deborah Coates, read by Cat Rambo. Norah is a science professor with a sure sense of [...] [...] stories for June begin with “Magic in a Certain Slant of Light” by Deborah Coates, read by Cat Rambo. Norah is a science professor with a sure sense of [...]

]]> By: Nora http://podcastle.org/2008/06/03/pc010-magic-in-a-certain-slant-of-light/#comment-952 Nora Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:44:25 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=27#comment-952 Loved the story! I, for one, am rather disenchanted with the traditional, sword-and-sorcery fantasy and love this kind (whatever it qualifies as). I'd love to see more like it. Loved the story! I, for one, am rather disenchanted with the traditional, sword-and-sorcery fantasy and love this kind (whatever it qualifies as). I’d love to see more like it.

]]> By: Terrible Twos http://podcastle.org/2008/06/03/pc010-magic-in-a-certain-slant-of-light/#comment-907 Terrible Twos Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:25:53 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=27#comment-907 Finally got around to listening to this story. This, I believe, is the true future of fantasy. Ms. Coates' literary-quality writing skills, mixed with the fantastical yet understated attributes of the main character, combined to create a story that was capable of exceeding the limited scope of itself. Well done, Ms. Coates. Your ability to create a believeable yet flawed character, and make me care about her in such a deep and intimate way, puts you on level with the likes of Orson Scott Card, Elizabeth Bear, and Peter S. Beagle. Well Done!! Finally got around to listening to this story. This, I believe, is the true future of fantasy. Ms. Coates’ literary-quality writing skills, mixed with the fantastical yet understated attributes of the main character, combined to create a story that was capable of exceeding the limited scope of itself.

Well done, Ms. Coates. Your ability to create a believeable yet flawed character, and make me care about her in such a deep and intimate way, puts you on level with the likes of Orson Scott Card, Elizabeth Bear, and Peter S. Beagle.

Well Done!!

]]> By: Janice in GA http://podcastle.org/2008/06/03/pc010-magic-in-a-certain-slant-of-light/#comment-862 Janice in GA Sat, 21 Jun 2008 01:07:19 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=27#comment-862 I adored this story. Her quiet sense of knowing what was coming, and worrying about it, was just wonderful. Lovely stuff. Yeah, the sound quality was iffy, but I could live with it. I adored this story. Her quiet sense of knowing what was coming, and worrying about it, was just wonderful. Lovely stuff. Yeah, the sound quality was iffy, but I could live with it.

]]> By: Jaxon http://podcastle.org/2008/06/03/pc010-magic-in-a-certain-slant-of-light/#comment-847 Jaxon Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:32:54 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=27#comment-847 It was an ok sort of poignant story. Not usually my cup of tea. It seemed more like poetry than a short story. There was no begining and no discernable end. The most interesting and fantastical part of the story, her ability to perceive the future, was glossed over and not exploited at all. It was an ok sort of poignant story. Not usually my cup of tea.
It seemed more like poetry than a short story. There was no
begining and no discernable end. The most interesting and
fantastical part of the story, her ability to perceive the future,
was glossed over and not exploited at all.

]]> By: Drawquarter http://podcastle.org/2008/06/03/pc010-magic-in-a-certain-slant-of-light/#comment-845 Drawquarter Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:44:56 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=27#comment-845 The production value was very poor on this track. The background reverb and excess sibilance rendered the audio unlistenable. This was the only the first time, in years of listening to Escape Artists productions, that I couldn't listen to a recording. I'm still a big fan. It is a shame about this one. After reading the comments, I think I'm missing a great story. The production value was very poor on this track. The background reverb and excess sibilance rendered the audio unlistenable. This was the only the first time, in years of listening to Escape Artists productions, that I couldn’t listen to a recording. I’m still a big fan.

It is a shame about this one. After reading the comments, I think I’m missing a great story.

]]> By: Audita Sum http://podcastle.org/2008/06/03/pc010-magic-in-a-certain-slant-of-light/#comment-832 Audita Sum Fri, 13 Jun 2008 02:07:22 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=27#comment-832 Thought it was a little cheesy, but overall it was alright. Interesting concept, anyway. Thought it was a little cheesy, but overall it was alright. Interesting concept, anyway.

]]> By: Spork http://podcastle.org/2008/06/03/pc010-magic-in-a-certain-slant-of-light/#comment-815 Spork Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:18:06 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=27#comment-815 I'm not even through with the story, she's stopped in traffic looking at the sky where I just left off, but I gotta tell ya... Recording from the bottom of a room-sized tin can was a very bad idea. This sounds terrible. Moving-the-mic-while-reading terrible? Well, yeah...kinda. I’m not even through with the story, she’s stopped in traffic looking at the sky where I just left off, but I gotta tell ya… Recording from the bottom of a room-sized tin can was a very bad idea. This sounds terrible.

Moving-the-mic-while-reading terrible? Well, yeah…kinda.

]]> By: yicheng http://podcastle.org/2008/06/03/pc010-magic-in-a-certain-slant-of-light/#comment-809 yicheng Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:51:10 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=27#comment-809 I'm with Lane. It sounded very cliche, and the main character's martyr complex got very annoying. I'm afraid it got in the way of the story for me. I’m with Lane. It sounded very cliche, and the main character’s martyr complex got very annoying. I’m afraid it got in the way of the story for me.

]]> By: Lane http://podcastle.org/2008/06/03/pc010-magic-in-a-certain-slant-of-light/#comment-805 Lane Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:40:38 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=27#comment-805 Decent story I guess, but unfortunately the type I have no desire to read. I'm all for the fantastic in the mundane life, but practically negligible fantastic elements mixed in with a "why is he dumping me?" romance plot just don't do it for me. We may have a winner for least favorite Podcastle story so far. Not necessarily a knock on the story's quality, just the statement that I am definitely NOT its target reader. Though personally, when I heard the phrase "and she knows that he will leave her" I couldn't help but roll my eyes, only to be further dismayed by "And it almost kills her, like being stabbed right through the heart, because he’s the only one she ever really loved." Am I the only one who thinks such turns of phrase are maybe a little cliched? Decent story I guess, but unfortunately the type I have no desire to read. I’m all for the fantastic in the mundane life, but practically negligible fantastic elements mixed in with a “why is he dumping me?” romance plot just don’t do it for me. We may have a winner for least favorite Podcastle story so far. Not necessarily a knock on the story’s quality, just the statement that I am definitely NOT its target reader.

Though personally, when I heard the phrase “and she knows that he will leave her” I couldn’t help but roll my eyes, only to be further dismayed by “And it almost kills her, like being stabbed right through the heart, because he’s the only one she ever really loved.” Am I the only one who thinks such turns of phrase are maybe a little cliched?

]]> By: Peter http://podcastle.org/2008/06/03/pc010-magic-in-a-certain-slant-of-light/#comment-804 Peter Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:34:57 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=27#comment-804 Lovely story, but I would like to suggest leaving a few more seconds between the end of the story and "After the story, the comments." If there were even 5 or 6 more seconds, maybe with outro music, the transition from the story back to the podcast would feel less abrupt, less violent. Especially with a story like this where I would be tempted to let the final lines sink in a bit, a few extra seconds would either allow the story to settle, or give me the chance to turn off the playback and let the story settle even further. Just a thought - thanks for all your hard work bringing these stories to our ears. Lovely story, but I would like to suggest leaving a few more seconds between the end of the story and “After the story, the comments.” If there were even 5 or 6 more seconds, maybe with outro music, the transition from the story back to the podcast would feel less abrupt, less violent. Especially with a story like this where I would be tempted to let the final lines sink in a bit, a few extra seconds would either allow the story to settle, or give me the chance to turn off the playback and let the story settle even further.

Just a thought - thanks for all your hard work bringing these stories to our ears.

]]> By: Jake http://podcastle.org/2008/06/03/pc010-magic-in-a-certain-slant-of-light/#comment-802 Jake Fri, 06 Jun 2008 01:19:46 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=27#comment-802 Wilson, LOL! Yes, if the dog had talked, that would have made it a more "legitimate" fantasy for me. I have, like many here, waited a long time for Podcastle to start podcasting, and was really looking forward to some good ol' fantasy stories. Don't get me wrong. I've enjoyed the stories. I was just hoping for something more traditional. Wilson,

LOL! Yes, if the dog had talked, that would have made it a more “legitimate” fantasy for me. I have, like many here, waited a long time for Podcastle to start podcasting, and was really looking forward to some good ol’ fantasy stories. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve enjoyed the stories. I was just hoping for something more traditional.

]]> By: Wilson Fowlie http://podcastle.org/2008/06/03/pc010-magic-in-a-certain-slant-of-light/#comment-797 Wilson Fowlie Thu, 05 Jun 2008 23:02:02 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=27#comment-797 Enjoyed the story and Cat read it well, but the sound quality really bothered me. It sounded like it was read 5 metres away from the microphone, in a bathroom - tinny and echo-y. *Spoilers* I think the magic Jake was looking for (is that what you mean by fantasy, Jake) was Nora's prescience; outside of that, no, there wasn't much. But that didn't bother me. I was a little surprised that the dog didn't, somehow, talk, though. Enjoyed the story and Cat read it well, but the sound quality really bothered me. It sounded like it was read 5 metres away from the microphone, in a bathroom - tinny and echo-y.

*Spoilers*

I think the magic Jake was looking for (is that what you mean by fantasy, Jake) was Nora’s prescience; outside of that, no, there wasn’t much. But that didn’t bother me. I was a little surprised that the dog didn’t, somehow, talk, though.

]]> By: Kasey http://podcastle.org/2008/06/03/pc010-magic-in-a-certain-slant-of-light/#comment-796 Kasey Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:05:43 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=27#comment-796 This story haunts me. Days later I'm still thinking about it and her sadness, her desperation, and the long moonlit walk. This story haunts me. Days later I’m still thinking about it and her sadness, her desperation, and the long moonlit walk.

]]> By: Alan Schmitt http://podcastle.org/2008/06/03/pc010-magic-in-a-certain-slant-of-light/#comment-792 Alan Schmitt Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:26:34 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=27#comment-792 Strangely appropriate: http://xkcd.com/73/ Strangely appropriate: http://xkcd.com/73/

]]> By: Jake http://podcastle.org/2008/06/03/pc010-magic-in-a-certain-slant-of-light/#comment-790 Jake Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:14:24 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=27#comment-790 Maybe I wasn't paying attention enough, but where's the fantasy in this story? Can we have some pure good old fashioned fantasy stories instead of these quasi fanciful stories? Well read, though. Thanks. Maybe I wasn’t paying attention enough, but where’s the fantasy in this story? Can we have some pure good old fashioned fantasy stories instead of these quasi fanciful stories? Well read, though. Thanks.

]]> By: Alan Schmitt http://podcastle.org/2008/06/03/pc010-magic-in-a-certain-slant-of-light/#comment-789 Alan Schmitt Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:01:37 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=27#comment-789 Beautiful like a slowly rising zeppelin. Beautiful like a slowly rising zeppelin.

]]> By: me http://podcastle.org/2008/06/03/pc010-magic-in-a-certain-slant-of-light/#comment-788 me Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:40:08 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=27#comment-788 wow.... just.... wow! wow…. just…. wow!

]]> By: Magic in a Certain Slant of Light, by Deborah Coates « Stuff to read http://podcastle.org/2008/06/03/pc010-magic-in-a-certain-slant-of-light/#comment-787 Magic in a Certain Slant of Light, by Deborah Coates « Stuff to read Tue, 03 Jun 2008 11:10:38 +0000 http://podcastle.org/?p=27#comment-787 [...] June 3, 2008 Listen to it at PodCastle. [...] [...] June 3, 2008 Listen to it at PodCastle. [...]

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