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Notes
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Contents indexed selectively.
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' This is a new departure for me - a collection of some of my essays and short stories which have previously been published in magazines and anthologies, but never been put together before. Published by independent South Australian publisher, Altair Australia Books, it's a Print on Demand book which is available from Altair Australia's website, www.altair-australia.com/altair (they will ship anywhere in the world).
As Altair publishes speculative fiction and non-fiction (otherwise known as science fiction and fantasy works), these essays and short stories of mine are all in that genre. They include stories of transformation and magic; a story about the exile of Herod Antipas in the French Pyrenees, 7 years after the death of Jesus; a story based on an aspect of the Grail legend; essays on Robert Kirk of Aberfoyle, who wrote the first book on fairies and such creatures; on the different aspects of aliens, fairies and angels; on my childhood reading; and much, much more...' Comment on the author's website under 'Existing Books', which is archived on PANDORA
Contents
- Fons Origo, single work short story (p. 35-47)
- The Devil Cometh Saint-Simon and the Devil, single work short story (p. 59-61)
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What Happens Next : The Lived Story,
single work
autobiography
Sophie Masson talks about the lives of her parents, and how their lifestyle affected her childhood and later her literary career.
- The Common Dish, single work short story (p. 69-77)
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Imagination's Stronghold,
single work
prose
Reacts against a perceived trend for libraries to become highly technical "information centres" rather than storehouses for books and "gardens of the imagination". Describes the importance of libraries, books and reading in the development of creativity.
- The Great Deep, single work short story fantasy (p. 89-105)
- Shark, single work short story (p. 127-145)
- Third Night : Into the Other World, single work essay (p. 147-154)
- The Neptune Clock, single work children's fiction children's (p. 155-158)
- Gone Fishing, single work short story fantasy (p. 169-172)
- Mel, single work short story young adult horror (p. 173-184)
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The Age of King Arthur,
single work
essay
This essay is an exploration of the vitality of the west's greatest legend.Note: Title: The Age of Arthur.
- Here Be Dragons, single work short story (p. 193-204)
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Lancelot,
single work
short story
fantasy
'The heroes and heroines of Arthurian legend have never ceased to fascinate us. But what were they like before they knew their destiny? Award-winning author Sophie Masson imagines what Lancelot's childhood under the Lake might have been like - and the life-changing moment that set him on the path to immortal fame and legend.' (Storycuts abstract)
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Marginalia : A Meditation on the Medieval and the Postmodern,
single work
essay
Masson examines the idea that 'nobody wants to be at the centre anymore, everyone claims marginal status'. She observes however, that 'each time we speak thus we betray unconsciously the knowledge that the centre is indeed there, within all of us; for if it was not, it would make no sense to talk of margins at all.' To illustrate her argument, Masson uses the Medieval and Postmodernist eras.
- Times Past, Times to Come: The New Middle Ages?, single work criticism (p. 241-255)
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Times Past, Time to Come : The Influence of the Past on Visions of the Future,
single work
criticism
'A study of the past is essential to a presentiment of the future, and an appreciation of the present, too.' The author cites Yeats' 'Second Coming'and other works which have foreshadowed the future, and discusses the predicitve elements in her own novels.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Untitled
2007
single work
review
— Appears in: Aurealis : Australian Fantasy and Science Fiction , no. 40 2007; (p. 116-117)
— Review of Thomas Trew 2006 series - author children's fiction ; The Maharajah's Ghost 2007 single work novel ; Walking in the Garden of the Mind 2005 selected work short story prose essay children's fiction criticism autobiography -
In Short : Non-Fiction
2005
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 20-21 August 2005; (p. 23)
— Review of Still Spitting at Sixty : From the '60s to My Sixties, a Sort of Autobiography 2005 single work autobiography ; Noeline : A Long Term Memoir 2005 single work autobiography ; Walking in the Garden of the Mind 2005 selected work short story prose essay children's fiction criticism autobiography
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In Short : Non-Fiction
2005
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 20-21 August 2005; (p. 23)
— Review of Still Spitting at Sixty : From the '60s to My Sixties, a Sort of Autobiography 2005 single work autobiography ; Noeline : A Long Term Memoir 2005 single work autobiography ; Walking in the Garden of the Mind 2005 selected work short story prose essay children's fiction criticism autobiography -
Untitled
2007
single work
review
— Appears in: Aurealis : Australian Fantasy and Science Fiction , no. 40 2007; (p. 116-117)
— Review of Thomas Trew 2006 series - author children's fiction ; The Maharajah's Ghost 2007 single work novel ; Walking in the Garden of the Mind 2005 selected work short story prose essay children's fiction criticism autobiography