Open Media Review

John Kessel’s “The Baum Plan” as Free CC Download

In an effort to get caught up as well as try to establish a habit of writing regularly, I am working through my backlog of bookmarked items. The oldest item I have to catch up on is this story about a short story collection from John Kessel, “The Baum Plan for Financial Independence”.

I downloaded the file when I saw the story in April. Since then, though, I encountered a print copy in my favorite quasi-local independent bookstore, Constellation Books. If I was unaware of the free, CC licensed electronic version, though, I doubt I would have thought to pick it up. That’s one sale earned without even one word read.

That being said, I am thoroughly glad I did pick this book up. I am surprised to read Kessel categorized primarily as a science fiction and fantasy author. These stories truly span the gamut, though some do fall within the bounds of SF/F. Those that do are distinct and the best word I can use to really put my finger on that distinction is literary.

The stories are mostly character driven though there are some, like “Stories for Men” and the quarter of which it is a part are equally if not more idea driven. The more though provoking stories are written with a deft hand so that you never feel as though you are being lectured at.

Go ahead and give the free edition a look and see if you agree with me that Kessel’s work is well worth the read. And worth picking up a print copy.