Fantasy

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31119, 23 July 1966, Page 4

Fantasy

The Anything Box. By Zenna Henderson. Gollancz. 205 PPZenna Henderson is a relatively little-known writer, but this collection of short stories is a memorable one, and should establish for her a sound reputation. The stories are mainly fantasies, and the most outstanding feature of them is Zenna Henderson's treatment of the world of children. This is an uncomplicated world of wonder, freshness and magic: a children’s world to which adults cannot gain admission. Zenna Henderson writes with lucidity and ability, and her imagery is excellent, being reminiscent in places of Ray Bradbury. Stories of particular note Include “Come On, Wagon!” a delightful story of the magic of a child’s world, as Is “And a Little Child,” which tells of a little girl’s belief that the low hills around a camping site are creatures from another “place.” In these stories, children are usually shown as holding some “strange” beliefs, but these are inevitably shown to be true. Another story, perhaps the best in the collection, is “Subcommittee.” which shows the universality of the mother-child relationship, and the important role it plays in peace negotiations with an alien race. This is a delightful collection of stories which is unhesitatingly recommended to all lovers of good fantasy.