Hatrack River Forum: Mirror: Unaccompanied Sonata

This is topic Mirror: Unaccompanied Sonata in forum Discussions About Orson Scott Card at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Barely (Member # 10607) on :

I just finished listening to this, it was a beautiful and moving story that I'll always hold as one of my favorites.

I like OSC stories in general, I loved EG, although I'm still on the fence about the rest of the series. Although I enjoy the novels, OSC short stories make my inners quiver.

So, to sum up the thread...

Unaccompanied Sonata = Beautiful
OSC = Good short stories
Inners = Quiver
Barely = Hi

Posted by Stick1988 (Member # 10556) on :

I have to agree. I received "Maps in the Mirror" (the thick collection of OSC's short stories) for Christmas from my parents and just got around to reading it. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am trying to read as much of OSC's works as I can and I am really glad I didn't overlook his short stories or I would've missed out. I recommend them to anyone who loves OSC as much as I do.

Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :

To our planet, welcome.

Posted by Launchywiggin (Member # 9116) on :

I wanna see that instrument the dude was playing.

Posted by Uindy (Member # 9743) on :

I have read most of Maps in the Mirror. I still have a bit to go.

Posted by hansenj (Member # 4034) on :

Unaccompanied Sonata is my very favorite of his short stories. [Smile]

Welcome to the 'rack!

Posted by DDDaysh (Member # 9499) on :

The one that really bugs me is the one with the guy and the coffin.... I think it was also in "Changed Man", but I can't remember what it was called.

Posted by LargeTuna (Member # 10512) on :

i have read all of the stories in Maps (multiple times) and almost every story is amazing. are there any more books that have OSC short stories? P.S. I've read the worthing books if anyone was going to suggest those. [Wall Bash]

(love those gremlins)

Posted by vonk (Member # 9027) on :

I have Flux, a small collection of OSC short stories. I think most of them are in Maps, possibly all of them.

Posted by LargeTuna (Member # 10512) on :

Thanks [Big Grin]

Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :

The stories in Maps are the types of stories that I can NOT get out of my head or memory -- even if I wanted to (some of the more disturbing images, I wish I could).

Unaccompanied Sonata is probably the most ingrained in my memory of all of those.

Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :

I am a musician. My son's name is Christian.

I still tear up everytime I read it.

Posted by DDDaysh (Member # 9499) on :

I'm listening to another collection of short stories right now (can't remember the title), and one of the stories called "St. Amy" really brought me to tears.

Posted by Timoty (Member # 10389) on :

Unaccompanied Sonata was incredible, like many of the stories in Maps in a Mirror.

Now I'm concerned... I can't remember if I actually still have my copy. I know I've got Flux and Monkey Sonatas kicking around, but I can't remember where my Maps in a Mirror is.

*runs off to find it*

Posted by scifibum (Member # 7625) on :

The coffin story is called "Quietus", if I remember correctly.

Posted by BlueWizard (Member # 9389) on :

I too love 'Unaccompanied Sonata', and just reread it because of this thread. Excellent. I also read the one about the guy who comes home and finds they are storing a coffin in his house. I think that is the other one people are referring to.

One thing I notice about all of Card's works I have read so far, is that they all have this dark element to them. Poor Ender went through hell. The characters in 'Maps in the Mirror', each, all, go through their own personal hell. Dark, dark stuff.

Still, overall, I think the stories are uplifting. Unaccompanied Sonata is a dark tragedy, yet at the end, there is hope and light; and life and music live on. There is an element of satisfaction in having lived (as a character or as a reader) through the darkness, and moved out into the light.

For what it's worth.

Steve/bboyminn

Posted by LargeTuna (Member # 10512) on :

WOW im rereading mirror (again) and this story reminds me why i love to read. I instantly thought of this thread and brought it back. YAY! This collection of stories is amazing! anyone who doesnt have it needs to!
-Dude [Cool]

Posted by kacard (Member # 200) on :

I know it was a year ago -- but LargeTuna asked if there were any other books of OSC short stories. If you haven't noticed the new collection "Keeper of Dreams" -- it just came out. All new stories since Maps in a Mirror.

Posted by LargeTuna (Member # 10512) on :

Thanks [Smile]

i just finished it and it was so good
I am gonna re-read it as soon as im done mirror! LOL
thanks again -LT

Posted by CRash (Member # 7754) on :

You know, I actually don't have Maps in a Mirror yet. But I do have four smaller anthologies, like "The Changed Man", that have quite a lot of his earlier short stories in them. I just bought Keeper of Dreams and am looking forward to reading it!

Posted by BlueWizard (Member # 9389) on :

The one story that I heard about here in this group, that was left out of the large volume 'Maps in a Mirror' was the story about Elephants roaming the streets of Poland. Can't remember the name, but it sounded like a good story.

Posted by scifibum (Member # 7625) on :

The Elephants of Poznan? I believe you can read that in the new volume.

Wasn't it originally a free story? I remember reading it on this site, I think.

Posted by LargeTuna (Member # 10512) on :

Elephants of Poznan was in the Keeper of Dreams
i liked it, i think its one of the first stories in the book [Big Grin]

Posted by DDDaysh (Member # 9499) on :

"The Elephants of Poznan" was in my copy of Mirror... but I got it in audio, I think he said that was the first US publication of it.