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Bewildering Stories

Challenge 988

There and Here

  1. In Charles C. Cole’s The Case of the Stone Lions:

    1. What is the dramatic function of the stone gargoyles’ returning to their original home? Why don’t they stay at the library?
    2. Why is it important that the medieval chapel have become a police station?
    3. What do Joe Avery and Junice do to indicate they have each made a special effort to meet in person?
  2. In Gary Inbinder’s Paying a Visit: In Max Niemand’s disguise as Matt Rogers, what might his encounters with Mrs. Mervin and Duke Placco have in common?

  3. In Lev Raphael’s Lost in London:

    1. What does the narrator say or do to indicate that he is not where he thinks he is? For example, what is the taste of Aberfeldy scotch in part 2? If the narrator is not really in a flat in London, where might he be?
    2. Does the story overstep Bewildering Stories’ guideline about stories that conclude literally or implicitly “But it was all a dream”?
  4. In Jason Frederick Myers’ Cade’s War: Are Cade and his grandfather delusional? For what ancient religions — not Judaism, Christianity or Islam — might the story provide a child’s imaginative interpretation?

  5. In Gary Clifton’s Midnight Priorities: What readers will approve of the moral that Sgt. Wafer draws from the incident involving the two lovers? What readers may disapprove, and why?


  6. Responses welcome!

    date Copyright © March 6, 2023 by Bewildering Stories
    What is a Bewildering Stories Challenge?

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