Description: " Frankenstein Dreams , an anthology of mostly-Victorian science fiction edited by Michael Sims . . . is more interested in how that novel fits the wider scope of Shelley''s century, and shaped the genre after it . . . While several stories are familiar explorations of psychology and morality (see Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde ), some of the most interesting selections in Frankenstein Dreams aim for something more ambiguous . . . all of them are illuminating. That ends up being the greatest strength of Frankenstein Dreams ." - NPR.org "Even the most devoted science fiction reader will find unfamiliar treats in this assemblage of foundational fiction." - Publishers Weekly "The 1890s may have been the time when sci-fi really took off. But were there no forerunners, no hints of what was just about to come? Michael Sims''s anthology ''Frankenstein Dreams'' brings the issue into focus." - Wall Street Journal "A highly entertaining fusion of visionary speculation and primordial terror, the stories included [in Frankenstein Dreams ] merged cutting-edge science with fiction and essentially created a new category that explored what it means to be human in a world irrevocably changed by technological innovations and conceptual advancements . . . It''s the lesser-known short stories that make this anthology so thematically compelling . . . A thought-provoking and undeniably entertaining read." - Kirkus Reviews "The 20 works collected by [Michael Sims] highlights the importance of Victorian sf literature, both in its rich contributions to the genre and its exploration of the deeper themes that are still relevant today." - Library Journal "In this magnificent collection, Sims has chosen authors that range from the mighty Poe to the infamous Kipling to the beloved H.G. Wells . . . Every story is a perfect choice for the topic." - Suspense Magazine "Sims, whose elegant introduction provides valuable literary and historical context, has gathered many of the finest stories, some by classic writers such as Jules Verne, Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Shelley and H.G. Wells, but many that will surprise general readers . . . Perpetual human concerns meet modern anxieties in these tales that grapple with time, mortality, the senses and the unknown . . . The major themes of modern science fiction emerge: Space and time travel, dystopian societies, dangerously independent machines, all inspiring the speculative fiction of the Victorian era." - The Entertainment Report "As delightful as it is to see world-famous authors honored as midwives to the birth of a genre, what sets this collection apart are the gems Sims has found among the works of lesser-known writers . . . Frankenstein Dreams demonstrates [Sims''s] continued devotion to finding the inspirations for and evolution of various literary themes. In doing so, he offers real insight into not only the stories but also, in his brief author biographies, their creators." - Chapter16.org "Michael Sims always does a fabulous job of finding and editing collections of Victorian stories. This one focuses on early science fiction, inspired by Mary Shelley''s Frankenstein. It''s a great selection of little-known stories by well-known authors, as well as tales forgotten to history." - Meaghan Walsh Gerard "Brilliant . . . Entertaining . . . Wonderful, over-the-top atmosphere." - starred review, Library Journal on DRACULA''S GUEST "Barzun considered the ghost story ''more artful -- and more productive of shivers -- than the straight tale of horror,'' an assertion that is abundantly substantiated by Michael Sims''s delightful anthology of Victorian ghost stories." - Washington Post Book World on THE PHANTOM COACH "Just in time for All Hallow''s Eve, Sims has released The Phantom Coach , a collection of classic Victorian ghost stories published by Bloomsbury in a softcover edition. The book includes creepy tales from Charles Dickens, Arthur Conan Doyle, Henry James, Rudyard Kipling, and Ambrose Bierce, among others." - Christian Science Monitor on THE PHANTOM COACH

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