Susan Casper (1947-2017) had a comparatively limited, but very intense writing career. She collaborated with some of the biggest names in the field, attempted truly daring and innovative fiction, and then slipped away from writing as quietly as she’d originally started. As Michael Swanwick says in his introduction, the reason she stopped writing is a mystery. There came a point when she simply stopped, apparently satisfied with what she had accomplished.
This collection of literary gems contains the two dozen stories that comprise Susan Casper’s fiction output, as well as several of her in-depth trip reports. It has been lovingly assembled by her husband, the multi-award winning author and editor Gardner Dozois.
"Worthy reading for any fan of science fiction or darker fantasy." —Publishers Weekly
"…the stories deliver a powerful kick; Casper had the ability to bring the stuff of dreams and nightmares vividly into contact with everyday life.… If you’re a lover of short fiction, this is one that belongs on your must-read list.” —Analog
"A lot of variety. A delightful glimpse into the world of this fascinating woman." —Analog
“Whether she was writing about travel or over-protective mothers, unicorns or Pre-Raphaelite painters, Susan Casper always had something new and fascinating to say.” —Connie Willis
“A vivid and compelling range of stories! A wonderful collection.” —Nancy Kress
“Susan Casper’s work is witty, well-observed, with a bite that you can never quite forget.” —Pat Cadigan
“I have only one problem with Susan Casper’s fiction: there isn’t enough of it. This long-overdue collection, edited by her husband, multiple Hugo Award-winner Gardner Dozois, is an act of love—and love this deep should be shared. If you’ve never read Susan’s work, you’re in for a treat.” —Kristine Kathyrn Rusch
“With a sly sense of humor and a profound sense of the tragic, Susan Casper crafted stories that show us the wonder and terror of our everyday lives.” —James Patrick Kelly
“An impressive collection by an even more impressive lady.” —Mike Resnick
“From the dark and disturbing to the amusing and uplifting, this collection of tales reveals the evocative depths of Susan Casper’s vivid imagination.” —Sheila Williams
“Beautifully written and beautifully observed.” —Samuel R. Delany
“Finally, Susan Casper’s powerful, wry, and provocative short fiction is available in one volume: a must-have collection that captures the essence of her brilliant, wild talent.” —Jack Dann
“Susan’s stories capture you with the first word and hold on with bloody claws until the last.” —Eileen Gunn
“Up the Rainbow is a very gorgeous single-author collection from the unfortunately late Susan Casper, and the SF field has lost a Talent. Fortunately her husband, Gardner, was able to collect her fiction and nonfiction into this massive and very worthwhile volume, reminding us all that Susan could certainly shine.” —True Review
Susan Casper was an American science fiction and fantasy author known for her imaginative short fiction, speculative storytelling, and contributions to genre literature. Writing across science fiction, fantasy, and horror, Casper published numerous short stories in leading magazines and anthologies, earning recognition for her atmospheric prose, character-driven narratives, and explorations of identity, technology, and the unknown. Her husband-award-winning editor and author Gardner Dozois-edited her collection (Up the Rainbow) and her novel (The Red Carnival) after her death.
Gardner Dozois was an award-winning American science fiction editor, writer, and anthologist widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern speculative fiction. Best known for his long tenure as editor of Asimov's Science Fiction, Dozois helped shape contemporary science fiction by discovering, publishing, and championing many of the genre's leading authors. He was the editor of numerous acclaimed anthologies, including The Year's Best Science Fiction, a landmark collection that defined excellence in science fiction short stories for decades.
