The diseases described are a diverse lot. Michael Moorcock describes Samoan Giant Rat Bite Fever in a Victorian idiom. Alan Moore elucidates Fuseli’s Disease--a skin ailment occurring (and spreading) in dreams. Jay Lake discusses Mongolian Death Worm Infestation. One of the best is VanderMeer’s own article on Tian-Shan Gobi Assimilation--a creepy and Lovecraftian disorder of involving fungus (calling to mind VanderMeer’s Ambergris novels).
Maybe they all should have heeded the implicit warning of Neil Gaiman’s entry--Diseasemaker’s Croup.
Obviously, a good bit of fun is had by all--which includes (in addition to those above) Cory Doctorow, K.J. Bishop, China Mieville, and Rachel Pollack--and many more. I expect the same sort of good things from the new book which promises an even longer list of writers and illustrators.
Check ‘em out, so next time you’re feeling hypochondriacal you can think you have something really interesting.
There's some good ones there but they should add the pain in the rectum disease that is Bell's Palsy a right arse ache and the effect it has on others who view it.
ReplyDeleteExcept that Bell's Palsy is, unfortunately, quite real, unlike their flights of medical fancy--and at this point without any great treatments. :(
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard of the Mongolian Death Worm. Would make a great name for a band.
ReplyDeleteAwesome Trey, I'll have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteAdded to the Amazon wish list. :)
ReplyDelete@Felt - I wouldn't be suprised if it already is. ;)
ReplyDelete@Johnathan and @Risus - It's good stuff!