The Weird Fiction of Kelly Link

I don't know about the rest of you weirdos, but I've always been drawn to stories that blur the lines between reality and fantasy in original and shocking ways. It's no wonder, then, that Kelly Link has become one of my favorite short story writers over the past two decades. Her unique brew of magical realism, surrealism, and contemporary themes never fails to entertain me. So let me take you on a jaunt through the weird worlds of Kelly Link's fiction; that is, if you haven't already visited them yourself.

My Introduction to Kelly Link

I still remember the day I was introduced to Link's writing. It was a rainy afternoon, and I was curled up on the couch with my then-girlfriend, a voracious reader with an uncanny ability to discover hidden sci-fi gems. She handed me her copy of "Magic for Beginners" (which she had just finished) and said, "You have to read this. You're gonna love it."

Well, she wasn't wrong. From the moment I read a couple of pages, I was hooked. Link effortlessly weaves the extraordinary into the ordinary, creating worlds that are both familiar and also utterly bizarre. And if you know anything about me, you know I'm all about the bizarre. Since that day, I've devoured every collection Kelly Link has published, eagerly anticipating each new release.

Kelly Link: A Master of Short Fiction

Before we jump to my favorite stories, let's take a time out to appreciate Kelly Link's impressive career. Born on July 19, 1969, in Miami, Florida, Link has become a powerhouse in the world of speculative fiction. Her unique style, often described as slipstream or magic realism, has earned her numerous accolades, including Hugo Awards, Nebula Awards, and a MacArthur "Genius" Grant.

Link's short story collections have become landmarks in contemporary speculative fiction. Here they are:

1. "Stranger Things Happen" (2001)
2. "Magic for Beginners" (2005)
3. "Pretty Monsters" (2008)
4. "Get in Trouble" (2015) - My personal favorite.
5. "White Cat, Black Dog" (2023)
6. The Book of Love (2024) - Her first novel!

Ten Unforgettable Kelly Link Stories

Now, let's briefly look at ten of Kelly Link's most captivating stories that have left an indelible mark on my imagination:

1. "The Faery Handbag"

This story, which won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards, follows a teenage girl recounting the tale of her grandmother's magical handbag. The handbag contains an entire village and possibly her missing boyfriend. Link's ability to blend the mundane with the fantastical shines in this poignant exploration of family, loss, and the power of storytelling.

2. "Magic for Beginners"

The title story from her second collection revolves around a group of teenagers obsessed with a mysterious TV show that blurs the lines between fiction and reality. This meta-narrative perfectly encapsulates Link's talent for creating stories within stories, leaving readers questioning the nature of reality itself.

3. "The Summer People"

Set in rural Appalachia, this story follows a young girl left to care for the magical, unseen "summer people" when her father abandons her. The eerie atmosphere and the protagonist's complex relationship with her supernatural charges make this one of Link's most haunting tales.

4. "Stone Animals"

A family moves to a new house in the suburbs, only to find it haunted by increasingly surreal events. This story brilliantly captures the disorientation of domestic life, using supernatural elements to explore themes of alienation and family dynamics.

5. "The Specialist's Hat"

Twin girls are left with a mysterious babysitter in a haunted house that used to belong to a poet. This chilling story showcases Link's ability to create an atmosphere of creeping dread, blurring the lines between childhood imagination and genuine supernatural threat.

6. "The Game of Smash and Recovery"

A brother and sister play a dangerous game on an alien planet, revealing dark secrets about their past. This sci-fi tinged tale demonstrates Link's versatility, combining elements of space opera with her signature surreal touch.

7. "Two Houses"

Astronauts on a long space journey tell ghost stories, including one about a creepy art installation involving two identical houses. This story-within-a-story structure allows Link to explore themes of isolation, memory, and the nature of fear itself.

8. "The New Boyfriend"

When a girl becomes jealous of her best friend's lifelike robot boyfriend, Link uses this premise to delve into the complexities of teenage friendships and the blurring lines between human and artificial relationships in our increasingly tech-driven world.

9. "I Can See Right Through You"

A washed-up actor known for playing a vampire reunites with his former co-star and lover on the set of a ghost-hunting show. This story brilliantly examines fame, aging, and the ghosts of past relationships.

10. "Valley of the Girls"

Set in a future where wealthy families hire body doubles for their children, this story follows a group of privileged teens who build pyramids and collect antique rockets. Link's exploration of identity, privilege, and the weight of expectations is both thought-provoking and deeply unsettling.

A Unique Voice

What sets Kelly Link apart from other speculative fiction writers is her ability to seamlessly create a hybrid of genres and tones. Her stories often feature:

• Surreal and fantastic elements woven into everyday settings
• Exploration of contemporary life and social issues through a fantastical lens
• Characters with poor impulse control, making unpredictable choices
• Adolescent girls as point-of-view characters, offering fresh perspectives on strange situations
• Themes of love, friendship, and family ties, grounding even the most outlandish premises in relatable human experiences

Link's writing style is also accessible and challenging, facilitating active engagement with her stories. She leaves room for interpretation, allowing each reader to find their own meaning within her carefully crafted narratives.

The Impact of Kelly Link's Fiction

Kelly Link's influence on the world of speculative fiction cannot be overstated. Her work has been praised by literary giants such as Michael Chabon and Neil Gaiman, with the latter describing her as a voice that "should be declared a national treasure."

Link's success extends beyond her writing. Together with her husband Gavin Grant, she manages Small Beer Press in Northampton, Massachusetts, and co-edits the literary magazine "Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet." These endeavors have provided platforms for emerging voices in speculative fiction, further cementing Link's role as a champion of the genre.

Wrapping Up: The Strange Magic of Kelly Link's Stories

As I think about the impact Kelly Link's fiction has had on me, I'm struck by the way her stories continue to resonate long after I've finished them. Each time I revisit one of her collections, I discover new layers of meaning, new connections between seemingly disparate elements.

Since being introduced to "Magic for Beginners" on a rainy afternoon, Kelly Link's work has become a significant part of my reading repertoire. Her stories offer a unique perspective on the hidden complexities of everyday life, revealing unconventional narratives (but only to those who approach her work with an open mind).

So if you're looking for stories that challenge your perception of reality, Kelly Link's fiction will fill that gaping void in your mind. Her unique blend of magical realism, surrealism, and contemporary themes offers a fresh perspective that should serve up a tasty meal for even the most jaded speculative fiction fan. So pick up one of her collections today and witness the ordinary and extraordinary collide in the most unexpected and oftentimes terrifying ways.

And that's it for this post. Take care of yourselves, Weirdos.

H.

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