Dreams of the Storyteller, Volume I
ISBN 9798906107244
eISBN 9798906107244
ASIN B0HFDV2GJF
I first encountered the works of Richard Paolinelli in the Anthology Cracked An Anthology of Eggsellent Chicken Stories edited by Bokerah Brumley, in 2020. Since that first story, I have read work by Richard 39 times. The stories in this collection span years of writing, and encompasses numerous genres and styles. That being said they are great stores. And between this and the companion Volume II we have all of Richard’s publishes stories (outside his Sherlock pastiches) and a few new works see print for the first time.
The description of this volume states:
“Award-winning, best-selling author Richard Paolinelli has written nearly three dozen short stories in his career. In addition to the six Sherlock Holmes pastiches found in his Holmes By Tuscany Bay collection, his other short stories can be found in this two-volume set, Dreams of the Storyteller, Volumes I & II.
These are the stories that can be found, along with introductions written by the author, in this volume:
Polar Shift
At Homeworld’s End
Icarus Falls
Extinction Point
The Fall of Denver
The Last Human
The 13th Medallion
The Invited
Cag
The Timeless
Secret of The Sphinx
The Enemy of My Enemy.”
Each of these stories is available as an individual eBook. They are collected here and available as an eBook or in print direct from the publisher. I have yet to work through the complete canon of Paolinelli’s back catalogue but have been working my way through it. It was wonderful to resist these stories. I enjoyed them the first time I read them so much I wrote an overview of the series. This new collection of the 12 stories in a single collection is excellent.
This story has a different plot. With how much I read that is saying something. The world has changed suddenly, and with global impact. Sam and one other survive the initial event at a station on the moon. After the other takes drastic measures, Sam must decide how much effort he wants to put in to survive. First he has to get back to earth and second he has to see if there is a way to survive on the surface. To find out the decisions he makes and the results he finds you will have to read this excellent story.
This is another fantastic short story. This was a story that as soon as I finished it; it went back into the ‘to be read’ pile. This is a great story in a wonderful collection. I can easily recommend it for fans of science fiction, classic scifi, or anyone who loves a great short story!
Again this story reminds me of some of Heinlien’s Lazarus Long stories or a Harry Harrison’s Stainless Steel Rat sequence, the fact that we are allowed into the mind of a man who will be the last man on Earth. The story was deeply moving. Thinking about our own impending death and living with purpose. A real Memento Mori feel to this story. The only thing missing would have been the rock on the cover looking sort of skullish.
This is a well written short story. It draws you in quickly, it keeps your attention. The main character is excellently written.
There is a sense of foreboding from the very beginning of this story. When an order from the top comes down Kim Watson takes lead on a mission he had planned for a subordinate. A subordinate who Jim believes is due the recognition. But orders are orders and with short notice Jim preps for a final mission to space and the colony on Mars. The tip out and certification of the facility happen without incident. But a meteor that the tracking missed causes devastation. Not only for the largest human space station, for Jim’s flight crew, and for the colonist awaiting the final ok to head out. Everyone is trying to come up with daring and dangerous ways to save Jim, or not have him spend year alone. Who can come up with the best plan with the least risk. And will it succeed? To find out read this excellent Science Fiction Short story.
This story is written in a classic science fiction story. It takes me back to a lot of the stories I first read when I overcame my dyslexia. A powerful story. An excellent read. This is a great short story, and it leaves you wanting more. I would love to see other stories set in this world. Both before and after these events. This is an excellent story in a wonderful collection. I can easily recommend it for fans of science fiction or anyone who loves a great short story!
This is an absolutely excellent short story. Part western, Part Science Fiction, and a whole lot of fun. It is the story of friendship, service, family, and love. This story quickly draws readers in. Major Wayne is an instantly likeable character. And the events transpiring out while after communication is lost with Europe is incredibly well written. I can honestly state I would love to read more stories about Wayne both before and after these events.
This was a great read. It is a story that leaves you desperate for more. It is a wonderful story in a classic Science Fiction style. I can easily recommend this volume to fans of classic science fiction and for fans of westerns.
This story has a unique premise. And with how much I read that is saying something. The world has changed over a weekend. A scientist is one of very few people not impacted. She holds the power of reversing the change or embracing it. But will humanity still be humans if she embraces it? To find out what she decides and why you will need to read this excellent story.
This is another great short story, one that leaves you wanting more. This was a story that as soon as I finished it; it went back into the ‘to be read’ pile.
This story is written in a classic science fiction story. It takes me back to a lot of the stories I first read when I overcame my dyslexia. A powerful story. It is an excellent read. And to be honest I wish there were more stories available with these characters.
This is a excellent short story, and leaves you wanting more. I would love to see other stories set in this world. Both before and after these events. What led this race to wipe up us Humans, and what power did we wield in the universe when they returned from their time travel mission to destroy us. This was one of those stories that as soon as I finished it I reread it again!
There are a number of editions of this story dating from between 2011 and 2023. The 2023 edition is a rebranded edition with a new cover. The new cover really attracts, and gives a great feel for the story. This is another story is written in a classic science fiction style by Paolinelli. It takes me back to a lot of the stories I first read when I overcame my dyslexia. It is a very powerful and deeply moving story. You really feel for Sinclair, and the plight of all humanity. It is a great read. And to be honest I wish there were more stories available with these characters, I would love to see what Paolinelli would write about the this conflict at the beginning, and what happens next. I would love to see other stories set in this world.
This story is written in a classic science fiction style. It takes me back to a lot of the stories I first read when I overcame my dyslexia. It is a very powerful and deeply moving story. You really feel for the two pilots and the situation they find themselves in. It is an excellent read. And to be honest I wish there were more stories available with these characters, I would love to see what Paolinelli would write about the CAG at the beginning of his career, or even his son’s turn to be CAG. I would love to see other stories set in this world.
It is a story with plots within plots and plans within plans. Pirate turned against pirate and a trip into the past with an attempt to change history in a very dramatic way. The characters are well written and the play is gripping and addictive. It grabs reader’s attraction and keeps then till the end, and then leads them wanting more.
This story continues a story with plots within plots and plans within plans. Pirate turned against pirate and a trips through the past with an attempt to change history in a very dramatic way. The characters are well written and the play is gripping and addictive. It grabs reader’s attraction and keeps then till the end, and then leads them wanting more. It will leave you desperate for the other four mentioned at the end of the volume.
The story is one again a recounting from First Mate Little John Singapore, about his time on the Timeless under Captain Rock Congo. As they chase after Duchess Moran through space and time. The need to stave off disaster by protecting the past and saving the future. But there is more to the interactions between Moran and Congo than meets the eye.
I have the anthology that this story originally came from. And there are works from a few authors I really enjoy. I have just not got back to it yet. I look forward to rereading this story when I get to it. This story is set in a post zombie apocalypse world. It is the story of a husband and a father trying to do his best to look after and protect his family in this new world. But while out on a trip on his own for supplies thighs go very badly. Zombies and bears oh my!
I read this collection thus rereading these stories over a long weekend. Reading some of the stories was like a visit with long lost friends. Some were more like nightmares revisited. All were great reads! Writing short fiction is a very different skill that writing novels. Paolinelli is a master of both; trust me. So I encourage you to pick up this collection and the companion volume and you will be in for some very entertaining reads! I guarantee it.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan!
For reviews of all books from Tuscany Bay click here.
Books by Richard Paolinelli:
Maelstrom
When the Gods Fell
The Calling
The Last Lonely Trail
A Zombie Christmas Carol
Infinity Series:
Starguest 4th Age Series:
Timeless Series:
Odin’s Runes
Empire Of The Golden Dragon
Blackbeard’s Treasure
The Last Quest
…
Jack Del Rio Series:
Betrayals
Endgames
…
Del Rio Omnibus Edition
Del Rio The Complete Trilogy
…
Divine Trolls Comedies:
The Fall Of The House Of 770 Vile Aromas
The Corvo
…
SeaDragon:
SeaDragon 1 May 1986
SeaDragon 2 June 1996
Dreams Of The Storyteller:
Sherlock Holmes Pastiches:
Non Fiction:
Perfection’s Arbiter
From The Fields
The Space Shuttle: 1981–2011
…
Contributed to:
To Be Men
Places Beyond The Wild
Space Force Building The Legacy
Secret Stairs
A Tribute To H.G. Wells (2019 Edition)
Beyond Watson
Holmes Away From Home, Vol. 2
Sherlock Holmes Adventures In The Realms Of H.G. Wells
Sherlock Holmes Aventures In The Realms Of Edgar Allan Poe
The Art Of Sherlock Holmes
The Mx Book Of New Sherlock Holmes Stories, Part Xxii
…
Planetary Anthology Series:
Sol
Earth
Luna
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
…
Best Of Planetary Anthology Series
…
