Magic: The Final Fantasy Collection - Hardcover

Asimov, Isaac

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0061052051 ISBN 13: 9780061052057

Publisher: Harper Prism, 1996

Synopsis

A collection of original short fantasy stories assembles previously uncollected tales, stories about the two-centimeter demon Azazel, several fairy tales, and a humorous adventure about Batman's old age

About this title

About the Author:

To list Isaac Asimov's honors, as to list his books, would be excessive. Let it simply be noted that Isaac Asimov was the most famous, most honored, most widely read, and most beloved science fiction author of all time. In his five decades as an author, he wrote more than four hundred books, won every award his readers and colleagues could contrive to give him, and provided pleasure and insight to millions. He died in 1992, still at work.

From Publishers Weekly:

Fantasy wasn't Asimov's forte, but that's not to say that this lightweight, posthumous gathering of previously uncollected stories and essays won't amuse casual readers and please the completist. The fiction here, mostly satirical, resembles Asimov's SF, depending on a clever idea that is clearly presented in a well-built story. Most of the stories concern George and his demon (or perhaps extradimensional alien) servant Azazel, whose plans to help George's friends always go awry. The book also contains two modern fairy tales, as well as a Black Widowers piece that barely qualifies as fantasy. Overall, the nonfiction holds up better, dealing with topics from unicorns to symbolism; many of the essays comment on, or provide context for, the stories. There's some criticism, too, and despite his dislike of critics, Asimov himself proves a capable one as he analyzes the work of, among others, Robert E. Howard, L. Sprague de Camp, J.R.R. Tolkien and, of greatest interest, himself.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harper Prism
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0061052051
• ISBN 13: 9780061052057
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 275