Alabaster

By: Caitlín R. Kiernan

Narrated by: Xe Sands

Length: 5 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's Summary

A year after her death in a burning barn, Dancy Flammarion now finds herself in a Hell of her own creation. A new evil haunts the sun-scorched back roads and ghost towns of the American South - murderous twins who command a legion of ghouls. Once again, Dancy must face down demons, those who walk the world unchallenged and those in her own shattered mind.

©2006 Caitlin R. Kiernan (P)2020 Blackstone Publishing

Incorrect summary. These are the original stories!

I've admitted to my utter fascination with the short stories of Caitlin R Kiernan in my review of, "Two Worlds and In Between." In short, don't sleep on this author and her unyielding grasp of the fantastical and horrific! However, in looking at the publisher's summary for this particular title, I noticed that it is a description of the, "Alabaster: The Good The Bad and The Bird," graphic novel collection (which takes place much further into the Flammarion canon (Flammarianon?)). This is not that! It's better! This is the original set of Dancy Flammarion stories collected in (as the title suggests) just plain, "Alabaster" (2006). The summary should read: "An albino girl wanders the sun-scorched back roads of a south Georgia summer, following the bidding of an angel or perhaps only voices in her head, searching out and slaying ancient monsters who have hidden themselves away in the lonely places of the world."
So, now that you know what's up... get this! it's fantastic. If you own "Two worlds and in between," know that a couple stories are repeated (or rather, originated) here, but I still think it's worth it. Ms. Kiernan is a great author and of all the characters she's created, Dancy remains my favorite. I love every one of these stories and I hope you do too! They are, at times, touching, sad, unreal, genuinely spooky, violent, and gory. This killer of monsters may or may not walk with an angel but her demons are very real.
Also, I always forget to mention the narrator! Xe Sands brings my favorite albino monster slayer to life in wondrous fashion.
Thanks to all. Maybe do something about that summary?
PS: If you like this, check out the novel, "Threshold," by the same author. Too few people seem to have read it, and although she's not the main character, Dancy has a darn good turn in it. *******

"Alabaster," Table of Contents:
-Author's Preface
-Les Fluers Empoisonnees
-The Well of Stars and Shadow
-Waycross
-Alabaster
-Bainbridge
-Afterword: On the Road to Jefferson.*******

Alternate ToC (chronological):
-The Well of Stars and Shadow
-Bainbridge
-Alabaster
-Waycross
-Les Fleurs Empoisonnees

Wonderfully creepy stories expertly narrated!

These stories about Dancy Flammarion (introduced in Kiernan's "Threshold," which I have long admired) are absolutely stunning. The stories are atmospheric, creepy, and sometimes amusing ... all at once. Xe Sands wonderful narration adds to the feeling of unease, and doubles the pleasure you will take from the book. If you enjoy dark, weird fiction, don't miss "Alabaster"!

Fulfilled

When I was about 14 I went to my local library after school for some project material. Needless to say I ended up in the young adult section instead for a good long while. I came across Alabaster and borrowed it from the library as often as I possibly could. Thinking over and over that I could just keep it at home and let the fines roll in.
Well that certainly didn’t happen. Several years later at 28 the story of Alabaster popped back into my head; my wife and I went on a searching spree, finding only one copy on eBay at around $500 to start the bid... Another year passes, off and on I check book stores, libraries, Amazon etc. finally again this week I check here. Although I don’t get the incredible illustrations that captured my 14 year old soul; the story brings back memories and I can’t wait to read more.