Naked City summary

Exploring the Dark and Fantastic in Urban Settings

In Naked City, Ellen Datlow curates a collection of urban fantasy stories that take place in cities across the globe. Each tale explores the dark and fantastic elements of urban life, from the supernatural lurking in the shadows to the extraordinary hidden in plain sight.

Jim Butcher's 'Curses' kicks off the anthology with Harry Dresden, a wizard detective, investigating a curse placed on the Chicago Cubs. Patricia Briggs follows with 'Fairy Gifts', where a vampire must return to his Fae captors to save the woman he loves. These stories set the tone for the anthology, blending the ordinary with the extraordinary.

Unveiling the Supernatural in Urban Landscapes

The anthology continues to unveil the supernatural in urban landscapes. In 'Picking Up the Pieces' by Pat Cadigan, a woman uses her psychic abilities to solve a murder in a future New York City. In contrast, Delia Sherman's 'How the Pooka Came to New York City' tells the story of a shapeshifting faerie who is drawn to the city's energy.

The stories are diverse in their settings and characters, but they share a common thread of the magical existing alongside the mundane. This juxtaposition creates a rich tapestry of urban fantasy, where the extraordinary is just a heartbeat away from the everyday.

Exploring the Human Condition through the Supernatural

As the anthology progresses, the stories begin to delve deeper into the human condition through the lens of the supernatural. In 'The Bricks of Gelecek' by Matthew Kressel, a man must confront his past when he returns to a city that exists both in the present and the future. The story explores themes of regret, redemption, and the passage of time.

Continuing this exploration, Jeffrey Ford's 'The Last Triangle' takes us to a New York City that exists in a parallel universe. The story follows a private detective who must solve a murder in this alternate reality, leading to a reflection on the nature of choice and consequence.

Confronting the Supernatural in Urban Life

In the latter part of the anthology, the stories confront the supernatural head-on, often with a dose of dark humor. In 'The Projected Girl' by Lavie Tidhar, a film director creates a virtual reality version of his lost love, only to discover that she has a mind of her own. The story raises questions about the nature of reality and the consequences of playing god.

Finally, the anthology concludes with a tale of a New York City filled with supernatural creatures in Elizabeth Bear's 'King Pole, Gallows Pole, Bottle Tree.' Here, the city's magical inhabitants must navigate a world where their existence is under threat, reflecting on themes of marginalization and survival.

In Conclusion

In Naked City, Ellen Datlow has curated an impressive and diverse collection of urban fantasy stories. Each tale offers a unique perspective on the intersection of the supernatural and the urban, creating a world where the extraordinary is an inherent part of everyday life. Whether you're a fan of urban fantasy or simply enjoy thought-provoking speculative fiction, this anthology is sure to captivate and entertain.