XANADU 2
edited by Jane Yolen
A second volume of original fantasy, comprising 17 stories and nine poems—though in several cases (most notably, Delia Sherman's investigation of the life of an obscure French Impressionist painter), the fantasy element is at best minimal. Still, the themes show plenty of variety, ranging from the magical bones of squashed cats, dragons, elves, frog princes, Amerindian myths, seagulls, angels, Chinese Hell, cats, and children to merfolk, alchemy yarnspinners, and Santa. With the emphasis on craftsmanship rather than originality, the upshot is pleasing rather than memorable.