The only novel by this fantastic talent seized my imagination when I was about fifteen and transported me to a universe I really had forgotten about. When I was very young I had lived on a farm in the deep south, at ten we moved to New York and betrayed our country selves to the ultra hip cosmoplitan world of Long Island and the city. Then this bucolic fantasy with its sharp characters and clear, precise imagery came off the library shelf and drew me in to the pastoral world of Kansas in the 1920s. It hummed with the sounds and smells of Summer forgotten too easily by a country boy cum city lad.
The drama builds at just the right intensity, the paranormal feats are so easily integrated it will make you believe a boy can fly. In short,this novel wins my personal award for best science fiction novel ever, and I am a die hard sci fi fan. Nothing would make me giddier, I think than to see this story as a film...

It's a shame that _Blind Voices_ was Tom Reamy's only novel. This novel is so extraordinary that it makes one wonder what Reamy would have been able to do if he had lived. First novels are typically choppy, but this one is anything but. _Blind Voices_ is a seamless tale of a small Midwestern town and the madman who comes and destroys their idyllic life.

The townsfolk are excited when a traveling wonder show comes to town. Everyone wants to see the Minotaur, the tiny man, Medusa, the Invisible Man, and the rest of the amazing attractions. One by one, the young townspeople are seduced by different aspects of the carnival. And the reader gradually learns that the charming master of the carnival is anything but.

This is a marvelous story of magic and human feelings. Reamy does a wonderful job of conveying the depth of emotions experienced by the townspeople as the world as they know it comes to an end. We feel pity for the Carnival leader's monstrous creations as they struggle with their humanity. Simply put, this is a wonderful novel and one that I highly recommend.

Reamy's only published novel, we encounter characters of clear definition and some true magic. Our protagonist is capable of self flight, and the use of flying in this story is amazing. Throw in a love story that is charming and innocent, add some good old fashioned revenge and violence and you have a hell of little book. Makes you wonder what Reamy could have accomplished had he lived a little longer. Also, try San Diego Lightfoot Sue and Other Stories, his only other book. More magic.

If the title story was the only story collection repeated so that there were 304 pages, it would still be one of the best story collections in the history of science fiction. I stumbled across Reamy, this story actually, at the age of 12. And now at 31, it is still as influential as it was then. In the introduction, Ellison tries not to lament the fact that Reamy died young, producing very little work. This insightful piece by one who knew him, (I'd still like to see a piece on Reamy by Pat Cadigan who is mentioned in the intro) sets the stage for these 11 stories. Ellison's comments do very much to let you know that not all of these stories are masterpieces. Some are in all actuality formulaic, but this isn't to say that there isn't something to be said for all of them.

Althought Ellison lambasts "Insects in Amber" it too is a stand alone story and I do miss the movie that could have been made from it. If you do read "San Diego Lightfoot Sue" be sure to read "Twilla" and "The Detweiler Boy". These stories interact with the novel "Blind Voices" and create a Reamy universe much the same way other contemporary authors string their pieces together.

These stories are written by a nice man Ellison writes, and I personally mourn the fact that there aren't more of them to read. Or jeez more readers who have had a chance to feel this way. Buy this book!!!