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Word Puppets

Written by: Mary Robinette Kowal
Narrated by: Mary Robinette Kowal
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Publisher's Summary

Celebrated as the author of five acclaimed historical fantasy novels in the Glamourist series, Mary Robinette Kowal is also well-known as an award-winning author of short science fiction and fantasy. Her stories encompass a wide range of themes, a covey of indelible characters, and settings that span from Earth's past to its near and far futures as well as even farther futures beyond. Alternative history, fairy tales, adventure, fables, science fiction (both hard and soft), fantasy (both epic and cozy) - nothing is beyond the reach of her unique talent. Word Puppets - the first comprehensive collection of Kowal's extraordinary fiction - includes her two Hugo-winning stories, a Hugo nominee, an original story set in the world of "The Lady Astronaut of Mars", and 14 other show-stopping tales.
©2015 Mary Robinette Kowal (P)2021 Tantor
Anthologies & Short Stories
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What listeners say about Word Puppets

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Holy F***! This was SO GOOD!

In all honesty, I've never given short fiction a fair shot and therefor could never really understand its potential. Hearing about short fiction so often on Writing Excuses and knowing that the Hugo Award winning Mary-Robinette Kowal 😉 must have something out there that I could try led me to this audiobook. Having already become a huge fan of MRK and her talents as a narrator through the podcast and YouTube, I was looking forward to this listen but holy f*** I had no idea how incredible this collection was going to be!

From the intro with Pat (amazing btw!) to the variety of stories, to the intense range of emotions I felt listening to all of these, I'm just so happy I found this. I know for sure I'll be buying Lady Astronaut books after this! Man oh man did that last story hit hard! Same with "Body Language" and "Waiting for Rain", all 3 made me cry at the end.

Thank you MRK! For all that you do <3

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Wonderful trips, and a delicious emotion medley.

This author and narrator never disappoints. As a puppeteer who mostly performs virtual puppets for children, I really appreciated how the robot dog story describes the experience and mindset behind our Art discipline.

More of these short stories compilations, please!

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delightful story snacks

So it's a collection of short stories. Some are better than others, but all are good. The intro by Patrick Rothfuss was hilarious, then the author made me cry, and laugh, and shrug, and steam, and cry a little more. NOT typical for me, but this author seems to weave words that pull the threads of my own emotions out of me.

Ther is sci-fi and fantasy and romance and death. There is love and sacrifice and anger and fear. It's a world hopping journey narrated by the author who is just as skilled in using her voice as she is weaving her words.

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  • Michael D. Johas Teener
  • 2023-11-17

Wonderful

Notation add, just wonderful. Great fantasy and great SF and among the best characters ever. Great voice acting, too.

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  • Dan L.
  • 2022-12-07

Great collection of short stories

All very different and interesting in vastly different ways. I enjoyed them all while at the same time many made me cry

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  • Robert
  • 2022-12-03

Reviving my faith in SF

MRK is among the finest true SF authors writing today. Original, yet true to the SF tradition. A rousing storyteller while inviting the listener to feel the emotions of the story. I eagerly await each of her books. And she's a terrific narrator as well, of her own and the works of others. Brava!

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  • Thomas G Stratton
  • 2022-05-09

Mary Robinette's short fiction is...

...as good as it gets. Brilliant, imaginative sci-fi and fantasy, with a soft, tender core of humanity.

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  • Tim
  • 2022-02-18

Good, sometimes intense.

The first couple stories weren't as polished as those of the author's novels I've read, but after that they're all refined in both the technical and artistic senses. Full of fun worlds and challenging themes. Some good jokes, and good characters to leaven the challenging stuff.

Patrick Rothfuss wrote a very good intro, but I wish he'd finish his own novel series already.

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  • moneekyisis
  • 2021-07-28

awesome

please finish your short stories. I need to know what happens for every story. thanks.

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