What’s in Issue 113

Novel	The four survivors of the worldwide eco-catastrophe painfully make their way into the mountains. Dar wonders about the reappearance of the strange wise woman in the form of Lilit. And the five of them enter a tunnel that promises symbolically to lead them into a new world. Tala Bar, Gaia, chapter 7, “The Range,” par IV, installment 1, conclusion of chapter 7.
Novellas	Three alternate endings to “The Bridge” range in viewpoint from optimism to pessimism. The order of listing won’t tell you which is which: Katherine Allen, conclusion 1 ; euhal allen, conclusion 2 ; Karlos Allen, conclusion 3. Harry Stafford’s conscience fights a losing battle with the power of the Kestron lenses. They give him second sight, but they also put a decidedly new and sinister color on what he sees around him: Jonathan M. Sweet, The Kestron Lenses, part 3.
Serials	Capt. Martin Horvath has been learning a lot from an unexpected Elven friend, Morgul. What looked like a standard rescue operation is turning into an interstellar incident fraught with political intrigue: Michael J A Tyzuk, Through a Glass, Darkly, part 5. Friagabi and Charon face off in a duel with spear against scythe. Times are hard for the demigods, and careers are at stake. One word of advice: don’t get involved in an ex-lovers’ quarrel. Byron Bailey, An Impasse of Arms, part 2.
Short Stories	Gentlemen, we have here a corpse that, one thinks, would have been dining in good health at a restaurant until mobsters riddled it with bullets. Now why is this not a case of murder? Lou Antonelli, Doppelgangster. New contributor Jeremiah Job Levine depicts a playground where children hold recess-hour contests over turf and their imaginary friends. If you’re an adult, do not play those games; the hounds of Heaven — or Hell — may get you: Playground Religion. New contributor A. R. Yngve tells a story that answers some pointed questions: What happens to societies where males are valued more than females? And where the gender of offspring can be selected? There’s more: What happens to the individuals in those societies? Sins of Our Fathers.

Departments

Welcome	Bewildering Stories welcomes Karlos Allen, Jeremiah Job Levine and A. R. Yngve.
Challenges	Challenge 108 responses signal “Bridge” Open. Challenge 112 response: Thomas R. explicates Fermín González’ “The Hermit.” Challenge 113 aks what are today’s Dei ex machinas.
Letters	Deep Bora has taken us to an alternate outer Solar System and is now planning A Visit to Atlantis. Jeremiah Levine tells of the Origin of “Playground Religion.” Omar E. Vega puts in A Good Word for Bewildering Stories in Chile.
The Reading Room	Jerry Wright reviews Terry Pratchett’s Wee Free Men.
Editorial	To Sleep, Perchance to Dream

In Times to Come

No News in this issue. If you’ve fallen behind, you can do a quick catchup by checking what’s new in our Anthologies and Information pages. Once again, the issue has gotten a little out of hand in terms of size, but it’s due mainly to a coincidence of special cases and doesn’t seem to be anything to worry about.

In issue 114, Gaia enters the home stretch with chapter 8; “Through a Glass, Darkly” will end in suspense, and we’ve also scheduled Steven Utley’s essay on his amusements.

Paul Cronin’s “Hector’s Walk” in issue 112 has received fan mail: “Congratulations to Paul Cronin! Great story!” and “Great story. Very eerie, yet with a touch of black humor.”

Readers’ reactions are always welcome.
Please write!

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